Respite Care in Melrose, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Melrose, MA: the local picture

6,106

residents 65 or older (21% of Melrose)

72%

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

27%

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

15

Medicare-certified hospices serve Melrose ZIP codes

Most older adults in Melrose live with someone: 72% 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 1,582 Melrose residents aged 65 or older report a disability (27%) (28% in Middlesex County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 15 hospices serving Melrose ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Melrose compared with Middlesex County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Melrose	Middlesex County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	27%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	28%	28%	29%
Residents 65 or older	21%	16%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.6%	2.0%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.6%	9.2%	11%
Households with no vehicle	10%	10%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$59,929	$78,342	—

Older residents in towns around Melrose

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Malden, MA	1.8 mi	8,581	34%
Stoneham, MA	2.3 mi	4,755	32%
Saugus, MA	2.5 mi	6,337	28%
Wakefield, MA	3.4 mi	5,268	33%
Medford, MA	3.4 mi	9,028	31%
Everett, MA	3.4 mi	5,660	34%

Hospices serving Melrose

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Compassionate Care Hospice	Woburn, MA	5.4 mi	(781) 935-5550
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Charlestown, MA	5.4 mi	(617) 242-4872
Visiting Nurse & Community Care	Arlington, MA	5.5 mi	(781) 643-6090
All Care Hospice Inc	Lynn, MA	5.7 mi	(781) 586-1608
Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home	Danvers, MA	9.8 mi	(781) 756-2488

Nursing homes near Melrose (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Elmhurst Healthcare (The)	Melrose, MA	0.3 mi	5 of 5	45	(781) 662-7500
Melrose Healthcare	Melrose, MA	0.8 mi	1 of 5	106	(781) 665-7050
Greenwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center	Wakefield, MA	1.6 mi	5 of 5	36	(781) 246-0211
Life Care Center Of Stoneham	Stoneham, MA	1.7 mi	4 of 5	94	(781) 662-2545

Straight-line miles from the center of Melrose. 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 Melrose

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 34% of the $4,994 monthly median income of Melrose 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 Melrose: common questions

Which hospices serve Melrose?

Medicare lists 15 hospices for Melrose ZIP codes, including Compassionate Care Hospice, Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company, Visiting Nurse & Community Care.

How much does respite care cost in Melrose?

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 34% of the $4,994 monthly median income of Melrose 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 Melrose. 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 Melrose

More senior care near Melrose

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Melrose

More for Melrose 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 Melrose, MA