Fort Washington, Maryland

Respite Care in Fort Washington, MD

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 Fort Washington for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

A smiling caregiver with her arm around an older woman in a bright room at home
Local figures

Respite Care in Fort Washington, MD: the local picture

5,433
residents 65 or older (22% of Fort Washington)
83%
of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver
24%
of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Prince George's County)
13
Medicare-certified hospices serve Fort Washington ZIP codes

Most older adults in Fort Washington live with someone: 83% 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 1,257 Fort Washington residents aged 65 or older report a disability (24%) (29% in Prince George's County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 13 hospices serving Fort Washington ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Fort Washington compared with Prince George's County and Maryland

Census figureFort WashingtonPrince George's CountyMaryland
Residents 65+ with a disability24%29%30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone17%26%27%
Residents 65 or older22%15%17%
Residents 85 or older2.8%1.5%1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)4.5%9.4%9.5%
Households with no vehicle4.3%9.2%8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$105,758$82,366—

Older residents in towns around Fort Washington

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Fort Hunt, VA2.7 mi3,50221%
Friendly, MD3.0 mi2,30726%
National Harbor, MD3.5 mi84132%
Accokeek, MD3.8 mi1,95720%
Hybla Valley, VA3.9 mi2,38130%
Belle Haven, VA4.1 mi1,14817%

Hospices serving Fort Washington

HospiceOfficeDistancePhone
Hospice Of The Chesapeake, Inc.Waldorf, MD7.3 mi(443) 837-1519
Accentcare Hospice & Palliative Care Of Washington, DCWashington, DC12 mi(804) 690-2412
Vitas Innovative Hospice Care Of Greater Wash, DCWashington, DC12 mi(202) 414-5411
Capital HospiceFalls Church, VA14 mi(703) 712-4874
Amedisys HospiceLargo, MD14 mi(301) 349-3568

Nursing homes near Fort Washington (ask about short stays)

Nursing homeTownDistanceCMS overall ratingCertified bedsPhone
Ft Washington Rehabilitation And Wellness CenterFort Washington, MD1.2 mi4 of 5150(301) 292-0300
George Washington Health & RehabilitationAlexandria, VA2.7 mi3 of 596(703) 765-6107
Mount Vernon Healthcare CenterAlexandria, VA3.8 mi1 of 5130(703) 360-4000
Harborside Health & RehabilitationWashington, DC6.4 mi2 of 5125(202) 574-5700

Straight-line miles from the center of Fort Washington. 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 Fort Washington

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 18% of the $8,813 monthly median income of Fort Washington 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 Fort Washington: common questions

Which hospices serve Fort Washington?

Medicare lists 13 hospices for Fort Washington ZIP codes, including Hospice Of The Chesapeake, Inc., Accentcare Hospice & Palliative Care Of Washington, DC, Vitas Innovative Hospice Care Of Greater Wash, DC.

How much does respite care cost in Fort Washington?

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 18% of the $8,813 monthly median income of Fort Washington 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 Fort Washington. 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.

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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