Respite Care in Exeter, NH: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Exeter, NH: the local picture

2,187

residents 65 or older (22% of Exeter)

55%

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

29%

of residents 65+ report a disability (26% in Rockingham County)

9

Medicare-certified hospices serve Exeter ZIP codes

Most older adults in Exeter live with someone: 55% 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 640 Exeter residents aged 65 or older report a disability (29%) (26% in Rockingham County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 9 hospices serving Exeter ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Exeter compared with Rockingham County and New Hampshire

Census figure	Exeter	Rockingham County	New Hampshire
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	26%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	45%	24%	27%
Residents 65 or older	22%	20%	20%
Residents 85 or older	4.2%	1.8%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.2%	6.0%	7.7%
Households with no vehicle	6.2%	3.1%	4.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$58,365	$75,258	—

Older residents in towns around Exeter

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Hampton, NH	6.5 mi	2,720	23%
Newmarket, NH	6.8 mi	756	22%
Hampton Beach, NH	8.0 mi	879	26%
Amesbury, MA	8.7 mi	3,170	29%
Epping, NH	8.7 mi	762	27%
Portsmouth, NH	10 mi	4,946	29%

Hospices serving Exeter

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home	Exeter, NH	0.3 mi	(603) 772-2981
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Portsmouth, NH	9.7 mi	(603) 433-2480
Harborside Hospice LLC	Plaistow, NH	12 mi	(800) 331-1044
Cornerstone Vna	Rochester, NH	23 mi	(603) 332-1133
Brookhaven Hospice Of New Hampshire LLC	Bedford, NH	29 mi	(603) 601-7052

Nursing homes near Exeter (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Exeter Center	Exeter, NH	1.6 mi	3 of 5	81	(603) 778-0531
Riverwoods At Exeter	Exeter, NH	2.1 mi	5 of 5	8	(603) 772-4700
Rockingham County Nursing Home	Brentwood, NH	5.9 mi	4 of 5	226	(603) 679-5335
Oceanside Skilled Nursing And Rehabilitation	Hampton, NH	6.1 mi	1 of 5	117	(603) 926-4551

Straight-line miles from the center of Exeter. 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 Exeter

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 33% of the $4,864 monthly median income of Exeter 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 Exeter: common questions

Which hospices serve Exeter?

Medicare lists 9 hospices for Exeter ZIP codes, including Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home, Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company, Harborside Hospice LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Exeter?

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 33% of the $4,864 monthly median income of Exeter 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 Exeter. 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 Exeter

More senior care near Exeter

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Exeter

More for Exeter 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 Exeter, NH