Respite Care in Holyoke, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Holyoke, MA: the local picture

7,606

residents 65 or older (20% of Holyoke)

63%

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

45%

of residents 65+ report a disability (35% in Hampden County)

11

Medicare-certified hospices serve Holyoke ZIP codes

Most older adults in Holyoke live with someone: 63% 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 3,110 Holyoke residents aged 65 or older report a disability (45%) (35% in Hampden County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 11 hospices serving Holyoke ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Holyoke compared with Hampden County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Holyoke	Hampden County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	45%	35%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	33%	29%
Residents 65 or older	20%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	3.7%	2.3%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	21%	15%	11%
Households with no vehicle	19%	12%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,869	$48,894	—

Older residents in towns around Holyoke

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Easthampton, MA	4.0 mi	3,843	34%
Chicopee, MA	4.4 mi	10,770	37%
West Springfield Town, MA	6.0 mi	5,038	30%
Westfield, MA	7.7 mi	7,534	26%
Northampton, MA	8.1 mi	6,331	29%
Springfield, MA	8.5 mi	20,464	42%

Hospices serving Holyoke

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Life Care	Holyoke, MA	1.1 mi	(413) 534-5691
Baystate Hospice	West Springfield, MA	6.7 mi	(413) 794-6411
Compassus - Greater Boston	Northampton, MA	7.7 mi	(508) 845-2379
Vna & Hospice Of Cooley Dickinson	Northampton, MA	7.7 mi	(413) 584-1060
Beacon Hospice, An Amyedisys Company	Springfield, MA	8.1 mi	(413) 205-1229

Nursing homes near Holyoke (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Day Brook Village Senior Living	Holyoke, MA	0.2 mi	2 of 5	92	(413) 538-7551
Massachusetts Veterans Home At Holyoke	Holyoke, MA	0.8 mi	not rated	128	(413) 552-4737
Regalcare At Holyoke	Holyoke, MA	1.1 mi	1 of 5	102	(413) 538-7470
Care One At Holyoke	Holyoke, MA	1.1 mi	5 of 5	164	(413) 519-5229

Straight-line miles from the center of Holyoke. 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 Holyoke

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 48% of the $3,572 monthly median income of Holyoke 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 Holyoke: common questions

Which hospices serve Holyoke?

Medicare lists 11 hospices for Holyoke ZIP codes, including Hospice Life Care, Baystate Hospice, Compassus - Greater Boston.

How much does respite care cost in Holyoke?

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 48% of the $3,572 monthly median income of Holyoke 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 Holyoke. 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 Holyoke

More senior care near Holyoke

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Holyoke

More for Holyoke 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 Holyoke, MA