Respite Care in Lehighton, PA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Lehighton, PA: the local picture

870

residents 65 or older (17% of Lehighton)

66%

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

33%

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

14

Medicare-certified hospices serve Lehighton ZIP codes

Most older adults in Lehighton live with someone: 66% 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 263 Lehighton residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (35% in Carbon County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 14 hospices serving Lehighton ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Lehighton compared with Carbon County and Pennsylvania

Census figure	Lehighton	Carbon County	Pennsylvania
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	35%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	33%	30%
Residents 65 or older	17%	23%	19%
Residents 85 or older	3.5%	2.3%	2.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.6%	9.3%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	6.4%	6.4%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$34,423	$47,069	—

Older residents in towns around Lehighton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Jim Thorpe, PA	3.7 mi	1,003	38%
Palmerton, PA	5.4 mi	1,500	35%
Nesquehoning, PA	6.5 mi	647	41%
Summit Hill, PA	6.8 mi	534	36%
Slatington, PA	7.5 mi	624	39%
Lansford, PA	8.8 mi	712	58%

Hospices serving Lehighton

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Aseracare Hospice	Allentown, PA	18 mi	(610) 336-0711
Compassus - Allentown	Allentown, PA	18 mi	(610) 336-8000
Family Pillars Hospice Inc	Bethlehem, PA	21 mi	(610) 372-4400
The Care Team Hospice	Bethlehem, PA	21 mi	(610) 841-4410
Lehigh Valley Hospice	Allentown, PA	21 mi	(610) 402-7800

Nursing homes near Lehighton (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Mahoning Operating LLC	Lehighton, PA	2.6 mi	3 of 5	142	(570) 386-5522
Forest Hills Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center	Weatherly, PA	9.2 mi	1 of 5	200	(570) 427-8683
St Luke's Rehabilitation And Nursing Center	Coaldale, PA	10 mi	5 of 5	48	(570) 645-8208
Greenwood Center For Nursing And Rehab	Tamaqua, PA	13 mi	1 of 5	150	(570) 668-1775

Straight-line miles from the center of Lehighton. 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 Lehighton

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 43% of the $2,869 monthly median income of Lehighton 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 Lehighton: common questions

Which hospices serve Lehighton?

Medicare lists 14 hospices for Lehighton ZIP codes, including Aseracare Hospice, Compassus - Allentown, Family Pillars Hospice Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Lehighton?

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 43% of the $2,869 monthly median income of Lehighton 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 Lehighton. 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 Lehighton

More senior care near Lehighton

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Lehighton

More for Lehighton 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 Lehighton, PA