Respite Care in Gloucester, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Gloucester, MA: the local picture

8,405

residents 65 or older (28% of Gloucester)

69%

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

19%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Essex County)

12

Medicare-certified hospices serve Gloucester ZIP codes

Most older adults in Gloucester live with someone: 69% 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 1,587 Gloucester residents aged 65 or older report a disability (19%) (30% in Essex County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 12 hospices serving Gloucester ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Gloucester compared with Essex County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Gloucester	Essex County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	19%	30%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	31%	29%	29%
Residents 65 or older	28%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.2%	2.2%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.4%	11%	11%
Households with no vehicle	7.5%	9.3%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$57,361	$66,414	—

Older residents in towns around Gloucester

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Rockport, MA	3.4 mi	2,017	19%
Ipswich, MA	7.6 mi	640	26%
Beverly, MA	9.5 mi	8,270	29%
Marblehead, MA	12 mi	4,639	18%
Topsfield, MA	14 mi	564	32%
Danvers, MA	14 mi	6,337	27%

Hospices serving Gloucester

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home	Danvers, MA	14 mi	(781) 756-2488
Care Dimensions, Inc	Danvers, MA	14 mi	(978) 822-3846
Constellation Hospice	Newburyport, MA	16 mi	(978) 904-3059
All Care Hospice Inc	Lynn, MA	18 mi	(781) 586-1608
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Charlestown, MA	26 mi	(617) 242-4872

Nursing homes near Gloucester (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Seacoast Nursing And Rehabilitation Center	Gloucester, MA	0.4 mi	3 of 5	142	(978) 283-0300
Oceanside Rehabilitation And Nursing Center	Rockport, MA	4.5 mi	4 of 5	76	(978) 546-6311
Care One At Essex Park	Beverly, MA	9.9 mi	4 of 5	202	(978) 927-3260
Blueberry Hill Rehabilitation And Healthcare Ctr	Beverly, MA	10 mi	1 of 5	132	(978) 927-2020

Straight-line miles from the center of Gloucester. 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 Gloucester

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $4,780 monthly median income of Gloucester households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts'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 Gloucester: common questions

Which hospices serve Gloucester?

Medicare lists 12 hospices for Gloucester ZIP codes, including Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home, Care Dimensions, Inc, Constellation Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Gloucester?

At the Massachusetts median aide wage of $19.67 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,705 a month in wages, which is 36% of the $4,780 monthly median income of Gloucester households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Massachusetts'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 Gloucester. 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 Massachusetts.

More near Gloucester

More senior care near Gloucester

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Gloucester

More for Gloucester 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 Gloucester, MA