Respite Care in Lancaster, PA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Lancaster, PA: the local picture

6,019

residents 65 or older (10% of Lancaster)

71%

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

37%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Lancaster County)

21

Medicare-certified hospices serve Lancaster ZIP codes

Most older adults in Lancaster live with someone: 71% 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 2,162 Lancaster residents aged 65 or older report a disability (37%) (27% in Lancaster County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 21 hospices serving Lancaster ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Lancaster compared with Lancaster County and Pennsylvania

Census figure	Lancaster	Lancaster County	Pennsylvania
Residents 65+ with a disability	37%	27%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	29%	25%	30%
Residents 65 or older	10%	20%	19%
Residents 85 or older	0.7%	2.8%	2.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	20%	8.3%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	15%	8.6%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$39,946	$62,531	—

Older residents in towns around Lancaster

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Millersville, PA	3.7 mi	1,057	34%
Willow Street, PA	4.5 mi	3,966	24%
East Petersburg, PA	5.0 mi	1,129	24%
Leola, PA	6.9 mi	1,223	31%
Mountville, PA	7.1 mi	706	21%
Strasburg, PA	7.3 mi	975	18%

Hospices serving Lancaster

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Amedisys Hospice Of Lancaster	Lancaster, PA	1.1 mi	(717) 285-2039
Choices Healthcare	Lancaster, PA	2.4 mi	(717) 295-3900
Compassus Hospice And Palliative Care - Philadelphia	Lancaster, PA	2.4 mi	(717) 283-2672
Caring Hospice Services	Lancaster, PA	4.2 mi	(717) 560-1700
Masonic Village Hospice	Elizabethtown, PA	18 mi	(717) 367-1121

Nursing homes near Lancaster (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Rose City Nursing And Rehab At Lancaster	Lancaster, PA	0.3 mi	2 of 5	124	(717) 397-4281
Lancaster Nursing And Rehabilitation Center	Lancaster, PA	0.9 mi	2 of 5	446	(717) 299-7850
Hamilton Arms Center	Lancaster, PA	1.3 mi	2 of 5	94	(717) 393-0419
Abbeyville Skilled Nursing And Rehabilitation Cent	Lancaster, PA	1.9 mi	3 of 5	172	(717) 397-4261

Straight-line miles from the center of Lancaster. 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 Lancaster

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $3,329 monthly median income of Lancaster households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Lancaster: common questions

Which hospices serve Lancaster?

Medicare lists 21 hospices for Lancaster ZIP codes, including Amedisys Hospice Of Lancaster, Choices Healthcare, Compassus Hospice And Palliative Care - Philadelphia.

How much does respite care cost in Lancaster?

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $3,329 monthly median income of Lancaster households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Lancaster. 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 Pennsylvania.

More near Lancaster

More senior care near Lancaster

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Lancaster

More for Lancaster 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 Lancaster, PA