Respite Care in Downingtown, PA
A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in Downingtown for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Downingtown, PA: the local picture
Most older adults in Downingtown live with someone: 62% 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 287 Downingtown residents aged 65 or older report a disability (27%) (23% in Chester County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 21 hospices serving Downingtown ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Downingtown compared with Chester County and Pennsylvania
| Census figure | Downingtown | Chester County | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 27% | 23% | 32% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 38% | 23% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 13% | 18% | 19% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.1% | 1.9% | 2.4% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 4.2% | 5.6% | 9.9% |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.3% | 4.3% | 10% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $55,486 | $84,884 | — |
Older residents in towns around Downingtown
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thorndale, PA | 2.7 mi | 587 | 37% |
| Exton, PA | 3.9 mi | 619 | 5.1% |
| Lionville, PA | 4.4 mi | 1,311 | 17% |
| West Chester, PA | 6.1 mi | 2,377 | 23% |
| Coatesville, PA | 6.4 mi | 1,618 | 51% |
| Frazer, PA | 8.0 mi | 491 | 21% |
Hospices serving Downingtown
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aseracare Hospice | Exton, PA | 4.1 mi | (610) 321-2701 |
| Willow Tree Hospice | Kennett Square, PA | 11 mi | (610) 444-8733 |
| Heartland Hospice (Chadds Ford) | Chadds Ford, PA | 12 mi | (484) 840-0811 |
| Brandywine River Valley Hospice | West Grove, PA | 15 mi | (610) 998-1700 |
| Hospice Compassus - Philadelphia | Newtown Square, PA | 16 mi | (610) 436-1853 |
Nursing homes near Downingtown (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Martha Center For Rehabilitation & Healthcare | Downingtown, PA | 0.8 mi | 5 of 5 | 120 | (610) 873-8490 |
| Exton Post Acute | Exton, PA | 2.8 mi | 3 of 5 | 120 | (610) 423-8600 |
| Inn At Freedom Village,The | West Brandywine, PA | 4.7 mi | 5 of 5 | 60 | (484) 288-2300 |
| Park Lane Post Acute LLC | West Chester, PA | 5.6 mi | 5 of 5 | 68 | (484) 653-4400 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Downingtown. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What respite care costs in Downingtown
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 27% of the $4,624 monthly median income of Downingtown 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.
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.
Respite Care in Downingtown: common questions
Which hospices serve Downingtown?
Medicare lists 21 hospices for Downingtown ZIP codes, including Aseracare Hospice, Willow Tree Hospice, Heartland Hospice (Chadds Ford).
How much does respite care cost in Downingtown?
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 27% of the $4,624 monthly median income of Downingtown 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 Downingtown. 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 senior care near Downingtown
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Thorndale, PA
- Respite Care in Exton, PA
- Respite Care in Lionville, PA
- Respite Care in West Chester, PA
- Respite Care in Coatesville, PA
- Respite Care in Frazer, PA
- Respite Care in Malvern, PA
- Respite Care in Kennett Square, PA
- Respite Care in Paoli, PA
- Respite Care in Parkesburg, PA
- Respite Care in Phoenixville, PA
- Respite Care in Chesterbrook, PA
- Respite Care in Berwyn, PA
- Respite Care in Spring City, PA
- Respite Care in West Grove, PA
- Respite Care in Chester Heights, PA
Other care in Downingtown
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.
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