Respite Care in Merrifield, VA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Merrifield, VA: the local picture

1,806

residents 65 or older (8.7% of Merrifield)

76%

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

20%

of residents 65+ report a disability (24% in Fairfax County)

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Merrifield ZIP codes

Most older adults in Merrifield live with someone: 76% 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 365 Merrifield residents aged 65 or older report a disability (20%) (24% in Fairfax County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 4 hospices serving Merrifield ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Merrifield compared with Fairfax County and Virginia

Census figure	Merrifield	Fairfax County	Virginia
Residents 65+ with a disability	20%	24%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	24%	22%	27%
Residents 65 or older	8.7%	15%	17%
Residents 85 or older	0.9%	1.6%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	0.8%	5.2%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	5.5%	4.8%	6.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$101,792	$119,967	—

Older residents in towns around Merrifield

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Dunn Loring, VA	1.6 mi	1,679	16%
Mantua, VA	1.7 mi	1,088	14%
Woodburn, VA	1.7 mi	1,262	20%
Vienna, VA	2.1 mi	2,484	21%
Idylwood, VA	2.3 mi	2,098	25%
West Falls Church, VA	2.8 mi	4,454	30%

Hospices serving Merrifield

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Capital Hospice	Falls Church, VA	2.5 mi	(703) 712-4874
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Atlantic	Fairfax, VA	4.9 mi	(703) 270-4300
Blue Ridge Hospice, Inc	Winchester, VA	55 mi	(540) 536-5210
First Choice Hospice	Harrisonburg, VA	89 mi	(540) 434-3916

Nursing homes near Merrifield (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
The Boulevard Post Acute	Fairfax, VA	1.4 mi	3 of 5	81	(703) 385-0555
August Healthcare At Iliff	Dunn Loring, VA	1.6 mi	3 of 5	130	(703) 560-1000
Annandale Healthcare Center	Annandale, VA	4.2 mi	1 of 5	222	(703) 256-7000
Fairfax Rehabilitation And Nursing Center	Fairfax, VA	4.4 mi	2 of 5	200	(703) 273-7705

Straight-line miles from the center of Merrifield. 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 Merrifield

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 15% of the $8,483 monthly median income of Merrifield households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Consumer directed care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus.

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 Merrifield: common questions

Which hospices serve Merrifield?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for Merrifield ZIP codes, including Capital Hospice, Vitas Healthcare Corporation Atlantic, Blue Ridge Hospice, Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Merrifield?

At the Virginia median aide wage of $14.57 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,263 a month in wages, which is 15% of the $8,483 monthly median income of Merrifield households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Virginia's minimum wage is $12.77 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 Merrifield. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Consumer directed care in Virginia: how relatives are paid to give care through CCC Plus covers Virginia.

More near Merrifield

More senior care near Merrifield

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Merrifield

More for Merrifield 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 Merrifield, VA