Respite Care in Caribou, ME: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Caribou, ME: the local picture

2,016

residents 65 or older (27% of Caribou)

61%

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

38%

of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in Aroostook County)

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve Caribou ZIP codes

Most older adults in Caribou 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 707 Caribou residents aged 65 or older report a disability (38%) (37% in Aroostook County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 5 hospices serving Caribou ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Caribou compared with Aroostook County and Maine

Census figure	Caribou	Aroostook County	Maine
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	37%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	32%	29%
Residents 65 or older	27%	26%	22%
Residents 85 or older	5.4%	3.1%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	13%	9.4%
Households with no vehicle	12%	8.6%	6.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$34,917	$38,808	—

Older residents in towns around Caribou

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Presque Isle, ME	11 mi	1,971	39%
Madawaska, ME	40 mi	923	36%
Houlton, ME	50 mi	1,282	34%

Hospices serving Caribou

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Bangor, ME	145 mi	(207) 942-2920
St. Joseph Hospice	Bangor, ME	145 mi	(207) 907-1810
Gentiva	Brewer, ME	147 mi	(207) 573-7012
Andwell Health Partners	Lewiston, ME	219 mi	(207) 777-7740
Northern Light Home Care & Hospice	South Portland, ME	249 mi	(800) 757-3326

Nursing homes near Caribou (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Maine Veterans Home - Caribou	Caribou, ME	3.6 mi	4 of 5	40	(207) 498-6074
Caribou Healthcare Center, LLC	Caribou, ME	4.2 mi	3 of 5	72	(207) 498-3102
Borderview Rehab & Living Ctr	Van Buren, ME	22 mi	5 of 5	27	(207) 868-5211
Aroostook Health Center	Mars Hill, ME	22 mi	1 of 5	66	(207) 768-4915

Straight-line miles from the center of Caribou. 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 Caribou

At the Maine median aide wage of $18.55 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,608 a month in wages, which is 55% of the $2,910 monthly median income of Caribou households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 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 Caribou: common questions

Which hospices serve Caribou?

Medicare lists 5 hospices for Caribou ZIP codes, including Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company, St. Joseph Hospice, Gentiva.

How much does respite care cost in Caribou?

At the Maine median aide wage of $18.55 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,608 a month in wages, which is 55% of the $2,910 monthly median income of Caribou households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 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 Caribou. 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 Maine.

More near Caribou

More senior care near Caribou

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Caribou

More for Caribou 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 Caribou, ME