Respite Care in Essex, MD: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Essex, MD: the local picture

7,311

residents 65 or older (18% of Essex)

70%

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

35%

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

7

Medicare-certified hospices serve Essex ZIP codes

Most older adults in Essex 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 2,476 Essex residents aged 65 or older report a disability (35%) (29% in Baltimore County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Essex compared with Baltimore County and Maryland

Census figure	Essex	Baltimore County	Maryland
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	29%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	30%	30%	27%
Residents 65 or older	18%	18%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.1%	2.3%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.6%	10%	9.5%
Households with no vehicle	11%	7.8%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$44,576	$66,579	—

Older residents in towns around Essex

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Middle River, MD	2.8 mi	4,304	35%
Bowleys Quarters, MD	3.4 mi	1,089	32%
Dundalk, MD	3.7 mi	10,646	34%
Rosedale, MD	3.9 mi	3,746	26%
Rossville, MD	4.2 mi	2,724	26%
White Marsh, MD	5.6 mi	1,884	25%

Hospices serving Essex

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Amedisys Hospice Of Greater Chesapeake	Rosedale, MD	3.9 mi	(410) 686-5635
Hospice Of The Chesapeake, Inc.	Pasadena, MD	13 mi	(443) 837-1519
Stella Maris Inc	Timonium, MD	15 mi	(410) 252-4500
Gilchrist Hospice Care, Inc	Hunt Valley, MD	17 mi	(443) 849-8200
Heartland Hospice (Baltimore)	Windsor Mill, MD	18 mi	(410) 247-2900

Nursing homes near Essex (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Autumn Lake Healthcare At Riverview	Essex, MD	1.3 mi	3 of 5	238	(410) 574-1400
Oakwood SNF LLC	Middle River, MD	2.4 mi	1 of 5	130	(410) 687-1383
Rossville Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center	Baltimore, MD	3.6 mi	2 of 5	172	(410) 574-4950
Franklin Woods Center	Baltimore, MD	3.9 mi	4 of 5	117	(410) 391-2600

Straight-line miles from the center of Essex. 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 Essex

At the Maryland median aide wage of $18.29 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,585 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $3,715 monthly median income of Essex households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maryland'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 Essex: common questions

Which hospices serve Essex?

Medicare lists 7 hospices for Essex ZIP codes, including Amedisys Hospice Of Greater Chesapeake, Hospice Of The Chesapeake, Inc., Stella Maris Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Essex?

At the Maryland median aide wage of $18.29 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,585 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $3,715 monthly median income of Essex households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maryland'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 Essex. 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 Maryland.

More near Essex

More senior care near Essex

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Essex

More for Essex 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 Essex, MD