Respite Care in Ellsworth, ME: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Ellsworth, ME: the local picture

1,913

residents 65 or older (22% of Ellsworth)

70%

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

29%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Hancock County)

7

Medicare-certified hospices serve Ellsworth ZIP codes

Most older adults in Ellsworth live with someone: 70% 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 492 Ellsworth residents aged 65 or older report a disability (29%) (29% in Hancock County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 7 hospices serving Ellsworth ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Ellsworth compared with Hancock County and Maine

Census figure	Ellsworth	Hancock County	Maine
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	29%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	30%	29%	29%
Residents 65 or older	22%	27%	22%
Residents 85 or older	3.3%	2.7%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.4%	6.6%	9.4%
Households with no vehicle	12%	6.2%	6.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$51,708	$60,116	—

Older residents in towns around Ellsworth

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Bucksport, ME	16 mi	1,040	34%
Brewer, ME	19 mi	2,163	36%
Hampden, ME	21 mi	962	43%
Bangor, ME	23 mi	6,353	41%
Orono, ME	23 mi	1,227	25%
Old Town, ME	29 mi	1,259	36%

Hospices serving Ellsworth

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Gentiva	Brewer, ME	20 mi	(207) 573-7012
Community Health & Counseling Services	Bangor, ME	23 mi	(207) 947-0366
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Bangor, ME	23 mi	(207) 942-2920
St. Joseph Hospice	Bangor, ME	23 mi	(207) 907-1810
Mainehealth Home Health And Hospice	Rockport, ME	41 mi	(207) 284-4566

Nursing homes near Ellsworth (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Brewer Center For Health & Rehabilitation, LLC	Brewer, ME	19 mi	4 of 5	111	(207) 989-7300
Maine Veterans Home - Bangor	Bangor, ME	21 mi	3 of 5	120	(207) 942-2333
Eastside Center For Health & Rehabilitation, LLC	Bangor, ME	21 mi	2 of 5	69	(207) 947-6131
Stillwater Health Care	Bangor, ME	22 mi	4 of 5	63	(207) 947-1111

Straight-line miles from the center of Ellsworth. 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 Ellsworth

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 37% of the $4,309 monthly median income of Ellsworth 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 Ellsworth: common questions

Which hospices serve Ellsworth?

Medicare lists 7 hospices for Ellsworth ZIP codes, including Gentiva, Community Health & Counseling Services, Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company.

How much does respite care cost in Ellsworth?

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 37% of the $4,309 monthly median income of Ellsworth 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 Ellsworth. 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 Ellsworth

More senior care near Ellsworth

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Ellsworth

More for Ellsworth 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 Ellsworth, ME