Respite Care in Lewes, DE: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Lewes, DE: the local picture

2,078

residents 65 or older (59% of Lewes)

83%

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

15%

of residents 65+ report a disability (26% in Sussex County)

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Lewes ZIP codes

Most older adults in Lewes live with someone: 83% 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 283 Lewes residents aged 65 or older report a disability (15%) (26% in Sussex County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Lewes compared with Sussex County and Delaware

Census figure	Lewes	Sussex County	Delaware
Residents 65+ with a disability	15%	26%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	17%	22%	25%
Residents 65 or older	59%	30%	21%
Residents 85 or older	4.3%	2.3%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.1%	6.9%	7.6%
Households with no vehicle	7.2%	3.3%	6.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$89,617	$73,326	—

Older residents in towns around Lewes

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Milton, DE	9.0 mi	1,446	17%
Georgetown, DE	15 mi	1,429	33%
Millsboro, DE	16 mi	1,850	22%
Cape May, NJ	17 mi	921	21%
North Cape May, NJ	17 mi	1,192	35%
Ocean View, DE	18 mi	1,515	30%

Hospices serving Lewes

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Compassionate Care Hospice Of The Delmar Peninsula	Milford, DE	18 mi	(302) 856-2659
Delaware Hospice, Inc Southern Division	Milford, DE	18 mi	(302) 856-7717
Delaware Hospice Central Div	Dover, DE	32 mi	(302) 678-4444
Coastal Hospice Inc	Salisbury, MD	36 mi	(410) 742-8732
Christianacare Accentcare Hosp & Palliative Care	Newark, DE	69 mi	(302) 533-3800

Nursing homes near Lewes (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Excelcare At Lewes LLC	Lewes, DE	0.7 mi	2 of 5	179	(302) 645-4664
The Moorings At Lewes	Lewes, DE	1.7 mi	5 of 5	40	(302) 645-6400
Cadia Rehabilitation Renaissance	Millsboro, DE	11 mi	3 of 5	130	(302) 947-4200
Delaware Bay Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center	Georgetown, DE	15 mi	2 of 5	139	(302) 856-4574

Straight-line miles from the center of Lewes. 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 Lewes

At the Delaware median aide wage of $16.50 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,430 a month in wages, which is 19% of the $7,468 monthly median income of Lewes households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Delaware'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 Lewes: common questions

Which hospices serve Lewes?

Medicare lists 8 hospices for Lewes ZIP codes, including Compassionate Care Hospice Of The Delmar Peninsula, Delaware Hospice, Inc Southern Division, Delaware Hospice Central Div.

How much does respite care cost in Lewes?

At the Delaware median aide wage of $16.50 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,430 a month in wages, which is 19% of the $7,468 monthly median income of Lewes households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Delaware'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 Lewes. 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 Delaware.

More near Lewes

More senior care near Lewes

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Lewes

More for Lewes 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 Lewes, DE