Respite Care in Bethlehem, PA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Bethlehem, PA: the local picture

14,740

residents 65 or older (19% of Bethlehem)

65%

of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Lehigh County)

18

Medicare-certified hospices serve Bethlehem ZIP codes

Most older adults in Bethlehem live with someone: 65% of residents 65 and older in households do. When one of them needs care, the person they live with usually provides most of it, and respite is what keeps that sustainable.

About 4,914 Bethlehem residents aged 65 or older report a disability (35%) (30% in Lehigh County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 18 hospices serving Bethlehem ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Bethlehem compared with Lehigh County and Pennsylvania

Census figure	Bethlehem	Lehigh County	Pennsylvania
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	30%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	35%	27%	30%
Residents 65 or older	19%	18%	19%
Residents 85 or older	2.6%	2.3%	2.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	8.5%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	11%	8.3%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$52,225	$58,170	—

Older residents in towns around Bethlehem

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Freemansburg, PA	1.5 mi	253	21%
Fountain Hill, PA	2.2 mi	904	42%
Hellertown, PA	3.5 mi	1,457	42%
Catasauqua, PA	5.2 mi	946	32%
Fullerton, PA	5.9 mi	1,899	29%
North Catasauqua, PA	6.1 mi	544	41%

Hospices serving Bethlehem

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Advantage Home Health And Hospice	Bethlehem, PA	1.3 mi	(888) 264-3501
St Luke's Hospice	Bethlehem, PA	1.9 mi	(484) 526-1100
Ahc Home Health And Hospice Of Lehigh Valley	Bethlehem, PA	2.7 mi	(484) 245-7300
The Care Team Hospice	Bethlehem, PA	2.7 mi	(610) 841-4410
Family Pillars Hospice Inc	Bethlehem, PA	2.7 mi	(610) 372-4400

Nursing homes near Bethlehem (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Moravian Village Of Bethlehem	Bethlehem, PA	0.4 mi	5 of 5	93	(610) 625-4885
Holy Family Manor	Bethlehem, PA	1.7 mi	4 of 5	208	(610) 865-5595
Bethlehem South Skilled Nursing And Rehabilitation	Bethlehem, PA	2.3 mi	1 of 5	227	(610) 865-6077
Bethlehem North Skilled Nursing And Rehabilitation	Bethlehem, PA	2.3 mi	1 of 5	217	(610) 861-0100

Straight-line miles from the center of Bethlehem. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a respite caregiver can help with

Taking over the usual routine while you are away
Meals, medication reminders and personal care
Company and activities
Overnight cover for a weekend or a trip

Cost

What respite care costs in Bethlehem

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $4,352 monthly median income of Bethlehem households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a respite caregiver

Family caregivers carry most long-term care in the U.S., and burnout is a common reason a home arrangement breaks down. The federal National Family Caregiver Support Program funds respite through local Area Agencies on Aging, and the ARCH National Respite Locator lists respite programs by state.

Questions worth asking: Can you do a short paid visit first, while I am home? Are you available at short notice if I am ill? Can you stay overnight, and what do you charge for it? More in our respite care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Respite Care in Bethlehem: common questions

Which hospices serve Bethlehem?

Medicare lists 18 hospices for Bethlehem ZIP codes, including Advantage Home Health And Hospice, St Luke's Hospice, Ahc Home Health And Hospice Of Lehigh Valley.

How much does respite care cost in Bethlehem?

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $4,352 monthly median income of Bethlehem households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Does Medicaid or Medicare pay for respite care?

Medicare pays for short inpatient respite stays only for people on its hospice benefit (Medicare.gov); the hospices on this page serve Bethlehem. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states covers Pennsylvania.

More near Bethlehem

More senior care near Bethlehem

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Bethlehem

More for Bethlehem families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Respite Care in Bethlehem, PA