Respite Care in Lexington, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Lexington, MA: the local picture

7,430

residents 65 or older (22% of Lexington)

80%

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

18%

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

20

Medicare-certified hospices serve Lexington ZIP codes

Most older adults in Lexington live with someone: 80% 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 1,301 Lexington residents aged 65 or older report a disability (18%) (28% in Middlesex County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 20 hospices serving Lexington ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Lexington compared with Middlesex County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Lexington	Middlesex County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	18%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	20%	28%	29%
Residents 65 or older	22%	16%	18%
Residents 85 or older	3.1%	2.0%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.7%	9.2%	11%
Households with no vehicle	4.4%	10%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$151,667	$78,342	—

Older residents in towns around Lexington

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Arlington, MA	3.8 mi	8,030	25%
Waltham, MA	3.9 mi	10,228	30%
Burlington, MA	4.3 mi	5,764	25%
Belmont, MA	4.3 mi	5,235	25%
Winchester, MA	4.4 mi	4,207	26%
Woburn, MA	4.9 mi	6,588	34%

Hospices serving Lexington

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Visiting Nurse & Community Care	Arlington, MA	4.1 mi	(781) 643-6090
Compassionate Care Hospice	Woburn, MA	4.5 mi	(781) 935-5550
First Choice Healthcare Inc	Newton, MA	6.7 mi	(617) 738-1113
Good Shepherd Community Care	Newton, MA	8.0 mi	(617) 969-6130
Brighton Hospice Massachusetts, LLC	Newton, MA	9.2 mi	(801) 996-3217

Nursing homes near Lexington (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Meadow Green Nursing And Rehabilitation Center	Waltham, MA	0.6 mi	1 of 5	123	(781) 899-8600
Care One At Lexington	Lexington, MA	2.0 mi	3 of 5	211	(617) 901-8365
Pine Knoll Nursing Center	Lexington, MA	2.1 mi	not rated	81	(781) 862-8151
Brookhaven At Lexington	Lexington, MA	2.1 mi	5 of 5	49	(781) 863-9660

Straight-line miles from the center of Lexington. 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 Lexington

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 13% of the $12,639 monthly median income of Lexington 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 Lexington: common questions

Which hospices serve Lexington?

Medicare lists 20 hospices for Lexington ZIP codes, including Visiting Nurse & Community Care, Compassionate Care Hospice, First Choice Healthcare Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Lexington?

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 13% of the $12,639 monthly median income of Lexington 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 Lexington. 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 Lexington

More senior care near Lexington

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Lexington

More for Lexington 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 Lexington, MA