Respite Care in Chelsea, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Chelsea, MA: the local picture

4,188

residents 65 or older (10% of Chelsea)

56%

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

53%

of residents 65+ report a disability (38% in Suffolk County)

14

Medicare-certified hospices serve Chelsea ZIP codes

Most older adults in Chelsea live with someone: 56% 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 2,063 Chelsea residents aged 65 or older report a disability (53%) (38% in Suffolk County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 14 hospices serving Chelsea ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Chelsea compared with Suffolk County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Chelsea	Suffolk County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	53%	38%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	44%	35%	29%
Residents 65 or older	10%	13%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	1.7%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	24%	20%	11%
Households with no vehicle	28%	32%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$27,561	$49,460	—

Older residents in towns around Chelsea

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Everett, MA	1.3 mi	5,660	34%
Malden, MA	2.6 mi	8,581	34%
Revere, MA	2.7 mi	9,416	40%
Winthrop Town, MA	3.4 mi	3,631	37%
Somerville, MA	3.6 mi	8,108	33%
Boston, MA	4.1 mi	86,924	37%

Hospices serving Chelsea

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Legacy Lifecare Hospice And Palliative Care	Chelsea, MA	0.1 mi	(617) 889-0779
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Charlestown, MA	2.1 mi	(617) 242-4872
All Care Hospice Inc	Lynn, MA	6.2 mi	(781) 586-1608
Good Shepherd Community Care	Newton, MA	8.9 mi	(617) 969-6130
Care Dimensions, Inc	Danvers, MA	13 mi	(978) 822-3846

Nursing homes near Chelsea (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Katzman Family Center For Living	Chelsea, MA	0.2 mi	5 of 5	123	(617) 884-6766
The Massachusetts Veterans Home At Chelsea	Chelsea, MA	0.4 mi	4 of 5	154	(617) 887-7115
Highland Park Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center	Chelsea, MA	0.7 mi	1 of 5	195	(617) 997-9121
Leonard Florence Center For Living	Chelsea, MA	0.8 mi	5 of 5	100	(617) 887-0001

Straight-line miles from the center of Chelsea. 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 Chelsea

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 74% of the $2,297 monthly median income of Chelsea 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 Chelsea: common questions

Which hospices serve Chelsea?

Medicare lists 14 hospices for Chelsea ZIP codes, including Legacy Lifecare Hospice And Palliative Care, Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company, All Care Hospice Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Chelsea?

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 74% of the $2,297 monthly median income of Chelsea 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 Chelsea. 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 Chelsea

More senior care near Chelsea

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Chelsea

More for Chelsea 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 Chelsea, MA