Milton, Delaware

Respite Care in Milton, DE

A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in Milton for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

A caregiver helping an older man with a meal at a kitchen table
Local figures

Respite Care in Milton, DE: the local picture

1,446
residents 65 or older (41% of Milton)
74%
of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver
17%
of residents 65+ report a disability (26% in Sussex County)
6
Medicare-certified hospices serve Milton ZIP codes

Most older adults in Milton 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 252 Milton residents aged 65 or older report a disability (17%) (26% in Sussex County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 6 hospices serving Milton ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Milton compared with Sussex County and Delaware

Census figureMiltonSussex CountyDelaware
Residents 65+ with a disability17%26%30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone26%22%25%
Residents 65 or older41%30%21%
Residents 85 or older1.9%2.3%2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)6.2%6.9%7.6%
Households with no vehicle4.0%3.3%6.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$65,682$73,326—

Older residents in towns around Milton

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Georgetown, DE7.2 mi1,42933%
Lewes, DE9.0 mi2,07815%
Milford, DE11 mi2,94841%
Millsboro, DE13 mi1,85022%
Bridgeville, DE16 mi1,26126%
Harrington, DE17 mi50861%

Hospices serving Milton

HospiceOfficeDistancePhone
Delaware Hospice, Inc Southern DivisionMilford, DE12 mi(302) 856-7717
Compassionate Care Hospice Of The Delmar PeninsulaMilford, DE12 mi(302) 856-2659
Coastal Hospice IncSalisbury, MD32 mi(410) 742-8732
Christianacare Accentcare Hosp & Palliative CareNewark, DE66 mi(302) 533-3800
Vitas Healthcare Corporation AtlanticNewark, DE66 mi(302) 451-4000

Nursing homes near Milton (ask about short stays)

Nursing homeTownDistanceCMS overall ratingCertified bedsPhone
Delaware Bay Rehabilitation And Healthcare CenterGeorgetown, DE7.3 mi2 of 5139(302) 856-4574
Excelcare At Lewes LLCLewes, DE8.3 mi2 of 5179(302) 645-4664
The Moorings At LewesLewes, DE9.3 mi5 of 540(302) 645-6400
Polaris Healthcare And Rehabilitation CenterMilford, DE11 mi2 of 5100(302) 503-7650

Straight-line miles from the center of Milton. 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 Milton

At the Delaware median aide wage of $16.50 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,430 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $5,474 monthly median income of Milton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Delaware'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 Milton: common questions

Which hospices serve Milton?

Medicare lists 6 hospices for Milton ZIP codes, including Delaware Hospice, Inc Southern Division, Compassionate Care Hospice Of The Delmar Peninsula, Coastal Hospice Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Milton?

At the Delaware median aide wage of $16.50 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,430 a month in wages, which is 26% of the $5,474 monthly median income of Milton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Delaware'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 Milton. 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 Delaware.

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.

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