Harrington, Delaware

Respite Care in Harrington, DE

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

A younger woman and an older woman looking at a phone together on a park bench
Local figures

Respite Care in Harrington, DE: the local picture

508
residents 65 or older (13% of Harrington)
68%
of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver
61%
of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in Kent County)
7
Medicare-certified hospices serve Harrington ZIP codes

Most older adults in Harrington live with someone: 68% 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 308 Harrington residents aged 65 or older report a disability (61%) (37% in Kent County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Harrington compared with Kent County and Delaware

Census figureHarringtonKent CountyDelaware
Residents 65+ with a disability61%37%30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone32%27%25%
Residents 65 or older13%18%21%
Residents 85 or older0.6%1.9%2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)14%8.6%7.6%
Households with no vehicle8.4%6.6%6.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$54,900$58,403—

Older residents in towns around Harrington

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Riverview, DE7.9 mi61223%
Milford, DE8.1 mi2,94841%
Camden, DE12 mi92533%
Rising Sun-Lebanon, DE13 mi55554%
Greensboro, MD13 mi31946%
Highland Acres, DE14 mi92845%

Hospices serving Harrington

HospiceOfficeDistancePhone
Delaware Hospice, Inc Southern DivisionMilford, DE7.6 mi(302) 856-7717
Compassionate Care Hospice Of The Delmar PeninsulaMilford, DE7.6 mi(302) 856-2659
Delaware Hospice Central DivDover, DE17 mi(302) 678-4444
Christianacare Accentcare Hosp & Palliative CareNewark, DE52 mi(302) 533-3800
Vitas Healthcare Corporation AtlanticNewark, DE52 mi(302) 451-4000

Nursing homes near Harrington (ask about short stays)

Nursing homeTownDistanceCMS overall ratingCertified bedsPhone
Delaware Veterans HomeMilford, DE6.4 mi4 of 5144(302) 424-6000
Milford CenterMilford, DE7.2 mi2 of 5136(302) 422-3303
Polaris Healthcare And Rehabilitation CenterMilford, DE7.6 mi2 of 5100(302) 503-7650
Denton Nursing And RehabDenton, MD13 mi1 of 5100(410) 479-4400

Straight-line miles from the center of Harrington. 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 Harrington

At the Delaware median aide wage of $16.50 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,430 a month in wages, which is 31% of the $4,575 monthly median income of Harrington households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Delaware'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 Harrington: common questions

Which hospices serve Harrington?

Medicare lists 7 hospices for Harrington ZIP codes, including Delaware Hospice, Inc Southern Division, Compassionate Care Hospice Of The Delmar Peninsula, Delaware Hospice Central Div.

How much does respite care cost in Harrington?

At the Delaware median aide wage of $16.50 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,430 a month in wages, which is 31% of the $4,575 monthly median income of Harrington households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Delaware'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 Harrington. 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 Delaware.

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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