Respite Care in Luzerne, PA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Luzerne, PA: the local picture

735

residents 65 or older (27% of Luzerne)

53%

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

48%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Luzerne County)

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve Luzerne ZIP codes

Most older adults in Luzerne live with someone: 53% 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 351 Luzerne residents aged 65 or older report a disability (48%) (32% in Luzerne County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 5 hospices serving Luzerne ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Luzerne compared with Luzerne County and Pennsylvania

Census figure	Luzerne	Luzerne County	Pennsylvania
Residents 65+ with a disability	48%	32%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	47%	33%	30%
Residents 65 or older	27%	20%	19%
Residents 85 or older	0.9%	2.5%	2.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	11%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	15%	9.5%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$28,125	$49,926	—

Older residents in towns around Luzerne

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Swoyersville, PA	1.2 mi	1,373	19%
Forty Fort, PA	1.3 mi	698	22%
Kingston, PA	1.6 mi	2,496	31%
Edwardsville, PA	2.0 mi	760	46%
Larksville, PA	2.4 mi	979	26%
Plains, PA	2.5 mi	967	42%

Hospices serving Luzerne

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Commonwealth Hospice Of Berwick	Forty Fort, PA	0.9 mi	(570) 231-5407
Hospice Of The Sacred Heart	Moosic, PA	12 mi	(570) 706-2400
Residential Healthcare Of NE Pa, LLC	Moosic, PA	12 mi	(888) 923-5842
Allied Services Hospice LLC	Clarks Summit, PA	17 mi	(570) 341-4320
Compassionate Care Hospice Of Northwestern Pennsylvania, LLC	Olyphant, PA	20 mi	(570) 451-1031

Nursing homes near Luzerne (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Maple Ridge Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center	Kingston, PA	1.2 mi	3 of 5	92	(570) 288-5496
Third Avenue Health & Rehab Center	Kingston, PA	2.0 mi	4 of 5	65	(570) 283-5848
Edenbrook On Second Ave	Kingston, PA	2.2 mi	1 of 5	160	(570) 288-9315
Riverstreet Manor	Wilkes-Barre, PA	2.5 mi	2 of 5	122	(570) 825-5611

Straight-line miles from the center of Luzerne. 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 Luzerne

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 52% of the $2,344 monthly median income of Luzerne 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 Luzerne: common questions

Which hospices serve Luzerne?

Medicare lists 5 hospices for Luzerne ZIP codes, including Commonwealth Hospice Of Berwick, Hospice Of The Sacred Heart, Residential Healthcare Of NE Pa, LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Luzerne?

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 52% of the $2,344 monthly median income of Luzerne 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 Luzerne. 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 Luzerne

More senior care near Luzerne

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Luzerne

More for Luzerne 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 Luzerne, PA