Respite Care in Brookline, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Brookline, MA: the local picture

9,986

residents 65 or older (16% of Brookline)

61%

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

24%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Norfolk County)

21

Medicare-certified hospices serve Brookline ZIP codes

Most older adults in Brookline live with someone: 61% 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 2,356 Brookline residents aged 65 or older report a disability (24%) (27% in Norfolk County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 21 hospices serving Brookline ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Brookline compared with Norfolk County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Brookline	Norfolk County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	24%	27%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	29%	29%
Residents 65 or older	16%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	2.4%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	10%	9.2%	11%
Households with no vehicle	27%	9.2%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$108,250	$78,127	—

Older residents in towns around Brookline

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Newton, MA	3.4 mi	17,046	22%
Watertown, MA	3.6 mi	6,506	35%
Cambridge, MA	3.8 mi	14,440	24%
Somerville, MA	5.1 mi	8,108	33%
Belmont, MA	5.3 mi	5,235	25%
Dedham, MA	5.7 mi	5,528	30%

Hospices serving Brookline

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Longwood Hospice	Brookline, MA	1.6 mi	(617) 505-3443
Good Shepherd Community Care	Newton, MA	2.2 mi	(617) 969-6130
First Choice Healthcare Inc	Newton, MA	3.1 mi	(617) 738-1113
Alliance Hospice Care LLC	Newton, MA	3.4 mi	(617) 663-4881
Brighton Hospice Massachusetts, LLC	Newton, MA	4.0 mi	(801) 996-3217

Nursing homes near Brookline (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center	Boston, MA	1.1 mi	3 of 5	83	(617) 522-2600
Brighton Post Acute Care	Brighton, MA	1.3 mi	3 of 5	78	(617) 731-0515
Care One At Brookline	Brookline, MA	1.5 mi	2 of 5	120	(617) 901-8365
Sherrill House	Boston, MA	1.6 mi	2 of 5	196	(617) 365-6024

Straight-line miles from the center of Brookline. 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 Brookline

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 19% of the $9,021 monthly median income of Brookline households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Brookline: common questions

Which hospices serve Brookline?

Medicare lists 21 hospices for Brookline ZIP codes, including Longwood Hospice, Good Shepherd Community Care, First Choice Healthcare Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Brookline?

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 19% of the $9,021 monthly median income of Brookline households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts's minimum wage is $15.00 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 Brookline. 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 Massachusetts.

More near Brookline

More senior care near Brookline

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Brookline

More for Brookline 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 Brookline, MA