Respite Care in Kittery, ME: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Kittery, ME: the local picture

1,402

residents 65 or older (27% of Kittery)

62%

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

33%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in York County)

7

Medicare-certified hospices serve Kittery ZIP codes

Most older adults in Kittery live with someone: 62% 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 460 Kittery residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (28% in York County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Kittery compared with York County and Maine

Census figure	Kittery	York County	Maine
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	28%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	38%	27%	29%
Residents 65 or older	27%	22%	22%
Residents 85 or older	8.4%	2.2%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	2.6%	8.1%	9.4%
Households with no vehicle	20%	4.7%	6.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$43,823	$59,150	—

Older residents in towns around Kittery

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Portsmouth, NH	2.9 mi	4,946	29%
South Eliot, ME	4.2 mi	1,380	19%
York Harbor, ME	5.9 mi	981	36%
Dover, NH	9.9 mi	5,597	28%
Durham, NH	10 mi	802	26%
South Berwick, ME	10 mi	528	33%

Hospices serving Kittery

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Portsmouth, NH	3.6 mi	(603) 433-2480
Wentworth Home Care & Hospice, An Amedisys Partner	Somersworth, NH	13 mi	(603) 692-0220
Cornerstone Vna	Rochester, NH	19 mi	(603) 332-1133
Compassus - Greater Maine	Scarborough, ME	39 mi	(207) 761-6967
Andwell Health Partners	Scarborough, ME	39 mi	(207) 777-7740

Nursing homes near Kittery (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Edgewood Centre (The)	Portsmouth, NH	2.2 mi	3 of 5	156	(603) 436-0099
Cedar Healthcare Center	Portsmouth, NH	2.3 mi	5 of 5	102	(603) 431-2530
Durgin Pines	Kittery, ME	2.5 mi	5 of 5	81	(207) 439-9800
Webster At Rye	Rye, NH	6.3 mi	4 of 5	61	(603) 964-8144

Straight-line miles from the center of Kittery. 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 Kittery

At the Maine median aide wage of $18.55 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,608 a month in wages, which is 44% of the $3,652 monthly median income of Kittery households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 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 Kittery: common questions

Which hospices serve Kittery?

Medicare lists 7 hospices for Kittery ZIP codes, including Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company, Wentworth Home Care & Hospice, An Amedisys Partner, Cornerstone Vna.

How much does respite care cost in Kittery?

At the Maine median aide wage of $18.55 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,608 a month in wages, which is 44% of the $3,652 monthly median income of Kittery households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 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 Kittery. 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 Maine.

More near Kittery

More senior care near Kittery

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Kittery

More for Kittery 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 Kittery, ME