Respite Care in Durham, NH: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Durham, NH: the local picture

802

residents 65 or older (7.5% of Durham)

75%

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

26%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Strafford County)

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Durham ZIP codes

Most older adults in Durham live with someone: 75% 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 197 Durham residents aged 65 or older report a disability (26%) (33% in Strafford County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 8 hospices serving Durham ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Durham compared with Strafford County and New Hampshire

Census figure	Durham	Strafford County	New Hampshire
Residents 65+ with a disability	26%	33%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	25%	31%	27%
Residents 65 or older	7.5%	17%	20%
Residents 85 or older	1.2%	1.7%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	1.6%	9.6%	7.7%
Households with no vehicle	12%	4.9%	4.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$92,986	$60,487	—

Older residents in towns around Durham

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Dover, NH	3.7 mi	5,597	28%
Newmarket, NH	4.7 mi	756	22%
South Eliot, ME	6.7 mi	1,380	19%
Somersworth, NH	7.9 mi	1,700	49%
South Berwick, ME	8.8 mi	528	33%
Portsmouth, NH	9.2 mi	4,946	29%

Hospices serving Durham

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Unity Hospice, LLC	Durham, NH	1.8 mi	(603) 397-5915
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Portsmouth, NH	7.7 mi	(603) 433-2480
Wentworth Home Care & Hospice, An Amedisys Partner	Somersworth, NH	8.0 mi	(603) 692-0220
Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home	Exeter, NH	11 mi	(603) 772-2981
Cornerstone Vna	Rochester, NH	12 mi	(603) 332-1133

Nursing homes near Durham (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Saint Ann Rehabilitation And Nursing Center	Dover, NH	4.3 mi	4 of 5	54	(603) 742-2612
Langdon Place Of Dover	Dover, NH	4.3 mi	5 of 5	30	(603) 743-4110
Dover Center For Health & Rehabilitation	Dover, NH	5.2 mi	4 of 5	112	(603) 742-2676
Riverside Rest Home	Dover, NH	5.4 mi	5 of 5	215	(603) 742-1348

Straight-line miles from the center of Durham. 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 Durham

At the New Hampshire median aide wage of $18.64 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,615 a month in wages, which is 21% of the $7,749 monthly median income of Durham households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. New Hampshire'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.

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 Durham: common questions

Which hospices serve Durham?

Medicare lists 8 hospices for Durham ZIP codes, including Unity Hospice, LLC, Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company, Wentworth Home Care & Hospice, An Amedisys Partner.

How much does respite care cost in Durham?

At the New Hampshire median aide wage of $18.64 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,615 a month in wages, which is 21% of the $7,749 monthly median income of Durham households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. New Hampshire'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 Durham. 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 New Hampshire.

More near Durham

More senior care near Durham

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Durham

More for Durham 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 Durham, NH