Respite Care in Hagerstown, MD: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Hagerstown, MD: the local picture

6,354

residents 65 or older (15% of Hagerstown)

58%

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

41%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Washington County)

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Hagerstown ZIP codes

Most older adults in Hagerstown live with someone: 58% 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 2,429 Hagerstown residents aged 65 or older report a disability (41%) (32% in Washington County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 4 hospices serving Hagerstown ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Hagerstown compared with Washington County and Maryland

Census figure	Hagerstown	Washington County	Maryland
Residents 65+ with a disability	41%	32%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	42%	28%	27%
Residents 65 or older	15%	18%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	2.1%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	15%	9.0%	9.5%
Households with no vehicle	16%	7.7%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$38,204	$56,121	—

Older residents in towns around Hagerstown

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Halfway, MD	3.1 mi	2,320	38%
Paramount-Long Meadow, MD	3.2 mi	468	22%
Fountainhead-Orchard Hills, MD	3.3 mi	1,362	43%
Robinwood, MD	3.3 mi	1,273	34%
Maugansville, MD	3.9 mi	999	25%
St. James, MD	4.8 mi	953	31%

Hospices serving Hagerstown

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Washington County, Inc	Hagerstown, MD	1.0 mi	(301) 791-6360
Hospice Of The Panhandle, Inc	Kearneysville, WV	25 mi	(304) 264-0406
Bridginglife, Inc.	Westminster, MD	40 mi	(410) 871-8000
Hospice Of Garrett County	Oakland, MD	86 mi	(301) 334-5151

Nursing homes near Hagerstown (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Julia Manor Nursing And Rehabilitation Center	Hagerstown, MD	0.5 mi	1 of 5	130	(301) 665-8700
Hagerstown Healthcare Center	Hagerstown, MD	0.8 mi	2 of 5	140	(301) 797-4020
Coffman Nursing Home	Hagerstown, MD	1.6 mi	3 of 5	59	(301) 733-2914
Creekside Center For Rehabilitation And Nursing	Hagerstown, MD	1.7 mi	1 of 5	80	(301) 790-1000

Straight-line miles from the center of Hagerstown. 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 Hagerstown

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 50% of the $3,184 monthly median income of Hagerstown 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 Hagerstown: common questions

Which hospices serve Hagerstown?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for Hagerstown ZIP codes, including Hospice Of Washington County, Inc, Hospice Of The Panhandle, Inc, Bridginglife, Inc..

How much does respite care cost in Hagerstown?

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 50% of the $3,184 monthly median income of Hagerstown 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 Hagerstown. 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 Hagerstown

More senior care near Hagerstown

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Hagerstown

More for Hagerstown 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 Hagerstown, MD