Respite Care in Methuen, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Methuen, MA: the local picture

9,206

residents 65 or older (17% of Methuen)

74%

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

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Essex County)

16

Medicare-certified hospices serve Methuen ZIP codes

Most older adults in Methuen live with someone: 74% 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 3,013 Methuen residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (30% in Essex County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 16 hospices serving Methuen ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Methuen compared with Essex County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Methuen	Essex County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	30%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	26%	29%	29%
Residents 65 or older	17%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.2%	2.2%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	11%	11%
Households with no vehicle	6.0%	9.3%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$54,605	$66,414	—

Older residents in towns around Methuen

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Lawrence, MA	3.1 mi	9,318	47%
Haverhill, MA	5.4 mi	10,483	35%
Andover, MA	6.3 mi	1,732	35%
Lowell, MA	10 mi	14,960	41%
Derry, NH	11 mi	3,166	36%
Londonderry, NH	12 mi	2,017	25%

Hospices serving Methuen

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Harborside Hospice Of Massachusetts, LLC	Haverhill, MA	3.5 mi	(800) 331-1044
Compassus - Southern Massachusetts	North Andover, MA	5.5 mi	(978) 777-8222
Tufts Medicine Care At Home	Lowell, MA	9.6 mi	(978) 552-4000
Constellation Hospice	Newburyport, MA	16 mi	(978) 904-3059
Elara Caring	Newburyport, MA	16 mi	(978) 358-1007

Nursing homes near Methuen (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Cedar View Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center	Methuen, MA	0.8 mi	5 of 5	106	(978) 686-3906
Nevins Nursing & Rehabilitation Center	Methuen, MA	1.0 mi	2 of 5	153	(978) 682-7611
M I Nursing & Restorative Center	Lawrence, MA	2.1 mi	3 of 5	250	(617) 285-9626
Royal Wood Mill Center	Lawrence, MA	2.8 mi	3 of 5	94	(978) 289-5048

Straight-line miles from the center of Methuen. 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 Methuen

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 37% of the $4,550 monthly median income of Methuen 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 Methuen: common questions

Which hospices serve Methuen?

Medicare lists 16 hospices for Methuen ZIP codes, including Harborside Hospice Of Massachusetts, LLC, Compassus - Southern Massachusetts, Tufts Medicine Care At Home.

How much does respite care cost in Methuen?

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 37% of the $4,550 monthly median income of Methuen 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 Methuen. 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 Methuen

More senior care near Methuen

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Methuen

More for Methuen 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 Methuen, MA