Respite Care in Dahlgren, VA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Dahlgren, VA: the local picture

521

residents 65 or older (16% of Dahlgren)

67%

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

33%

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

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve Dahlgren ZIP codes

Most older adults in Dahlgren live with someone: 67% 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 174 Dahlgren residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (27% in King George County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Dahlgren compared with King George County and Virginia

Census figure	Dahlgren	King George County	Virginia
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	27%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	22%	27%
Residents 65 or older	16%	14%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.5%	0.8%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	15%	10%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	1.7%	2.6%	6.1%

Older residents in towns around Dahlgren

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Colonial Beach, VA	6.6 mi	960	45%
King George, VA	7.8 mi	738	27%
La Plata, MD	15 mi	1,871	21%
Bryans Road, MD	18 mi	953	35%
Indian Head, MD	18 mi	414	32%
Quantico Base, VA	19 mi	0	—

Hospices serving Dahlgren

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Mary Washington Hospice	Fredericksburg, VA	23 mi	(540) 741-3580
Athc-Hospice, LLC	Fredericksburg, VA	27 mi	(540) 322-2981
Gentiva I	Fredericksburg, VA	27 mi	(804) 925-6454
Hospice Of Virginia	Tappahannock, VA	31 mi	(804) 281-0451
Compassus - Reston	Chantilly, VA	43 mi	(571) 262-5200

Nursing homes near Dahlgren (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Westmoreland Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center	Colonial Beach, VA	7.1 mi	3 of 5	66	(804) 224-2222
Heritage Hall King George	King George, VA	8.4 mi	2 of 5	130	(540) 775-4000
Complete Care At Laplata LLC	Laplata, MD	14 mi	1 of 5	142	(301) 934-4001
Green Acres Nursing And Rehab	La Plata, MD	14 mi	5 of 5	170	(301) 934-1900

Straight-line miles from the center of Dahlgren. 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 Dahlgren

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Consumer directed care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus.

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 Dahlgren: common questions

Which hospices serve Dahlgren?

Medicare lists 5 hospices for Dahlgren ZIP codes, including Mary Washington Hospice, Athc-Hospice, LLC, Gentiva I.

How much does respite care cost in Dahlgren?

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Dahlgren. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Consumer directed care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus covers Virginia.

More near Dahlgren

More senior care near Dahlgren

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Dahlgren

More for Dahlgren 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 Dahlgren, VA