Respite Care in Harrisonburg, VA for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Harrisonburg, VA: the local picture

5,411

residents 65 or older (11% of Harrisonburg)

69%

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

33%

of residents 65+ report a disability

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Harrisonburg ZIP codes

Most older adults in Harrisonburg 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 1,659 Harrisonburg residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 8 hospices serving Harrisonburg ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Harrisonburg compared with Virginia

Census figure	Harrisonburg	Virginia
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	31%	27%
Residents 65 or older	11%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.1%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.1%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	6.5%	6.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$67,404	—

Older residents in towns around Harrisonburg

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Massanetta Springs, VA	3.6 mi	1,621	28%
Bridgewater, VA	5.9 mi	1,329	33%
Weyers Cave, VA	11 mi	250	43%
Grottoes, VA	12 mi	423	45%
Broadway, VA	13 mi	870	28%
Elkton, VA	14 mi	434	43%

Hospices serving Harrisonburg

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Sentara Home Care Services	Harrisonburg, VA	0.9 mi	(540) 433-4429
Gentiva Ii	Harrisonburg, VA	0.9 mi	(540) 801-0406
First Choice Hospice	Harrisonburg, VA	4.8 mi	(540) 434-3916
Hospice Of The Piedmont Inc	Charlottesville, VA	34 mi	(434) 817-6900
Medi Home Hospice	Charlottesville, VA	34 mi	(434) 244-0890

Nursing homes near Harrisonburg (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Sunnyside Presbyterian Retirement Community	Harrisonburg, VA	0.4 mi	5 of 5	84	(540) 568-8200
Blue Ridge Rehabilitation And Nursing	Harrisonburg, VA	0.7 mi	2 of 5	117	(540) 433-2791
Harrisonburg Hlth & Rehab Cntr	Harrisonburg, VA	1.0 mi	1 of 5	180	(540) 433-2623
Vmrc, Complete Living Care	Harrisonburg, VA	3.2 mi	3 of 5	120	(540) 564-3500

Straight-line miles from the center of Harrisonburg. 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 Harrisonburg

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 22% of the $5,617 monthly median income of Harrisonburg households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Consumer directed care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus.

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 Harrisonburg: common questions

Which hospices serve Harrisonburg?

Medicare lists 8 hospices for Harrisonburg ZIP codes, including Sentara Home Care Services, Gentiva Ii, First Choice Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Harrisonburg?

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 22% of the $5,617 monthly median income of Harrisonburg households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Harrisonburg. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Consumer directed care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus covers Virginia.

More near Harrisonburg

More senior care near Harrisonburg

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Harrisonburg

More for Harrisonburg 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 Harrisonburg, VA