Respite Care in Nantucket, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Nantucket, MA: the local picture

1,610

residents 65 or older (16% of Nantucket)

77%

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

22%

of residents 65+ report a disability (21% in Nantucket County)

1

Medicare-certified hospices serve Nantucket ZIP codes

Most older adults in Nantucket live with someone: 77% 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 340 Nantucket residents aged 65 or older report a disability (22%) (21% in Nantucket County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 1 hospice serving Nantucket ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Nantucket compared with Nantucket County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Nantucket	Nantucket County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	22%	21%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	23%	22%	29%
Residents 65 or older	16%	16%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.4%	1.4%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	2.4%	6.5%	11%
Households with no vehicle	3.5%	3.5%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$133,125	$115,948	—

Older residents in towns around Nantucket

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
West Yarmouth, MA	27 mi	2,215	26%
Dennis Port, MA	27 mi	1,060	36%
West Dennis, MA	28 mi	1,092	31%
South Yarmouth, MA	28 mi	3,735	29%
Northwest Harwich, MA	29 mi	1,445	14%
South Dennis, MA	30 mi	1,122	24%

Hospices serving Nantucket

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Visiting Nurse Association Of Cape Cod Hospice	Hyannis, MA	29 mi	(508) 957-7710

Nursing homes near Nantucket (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Our Island Home	Nantucket, MA	0.3 mi	5 of 5	45	(508) 228-0462
Navigator Homes Of Martha's Vineyard	Edgartown, MA	24 mi	3 of 5	106	(774) 212-0163

Straight-line miles from the center of Nantucket. 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 Nantucket

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 15% of the $11,094 monthly median income of Nantucket 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 Nantucket: common questions

Which hospices serve Nantucket?

Medicare lists 1 hospice for Nantucket ZIP codes, including Visiting Nurse Association Of Cape Cod Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Nantucket?

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 15% of the $11,094 monthly median income of Nantucket 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 Nantucket. 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 Nantucket

More senior care near Nantucket

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Nantucket

More for Nantucket 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 Nantucket, MA