Respite Care in Needham, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Needham, MA: the local picture

5,733

residents 65 or older (18% of Needham)

75%

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

29%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Norfolk County)

17

Medicare-certified hospices serve Needham ZIP codes

Most older adults in Needham live with someone: 75% 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 1,605 Needham residents aged 65 or older report a disability (29%) (27% in Norfolk County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 17 hospices serving Needham ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Needham compared with Norfolk County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Needham	Norfolk County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	27%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	25%	29%	29%
Residents 65 or older	18%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	3.8%	2.4%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.8%	9.2%	11%
Households with no vehicle	7.4%	9.2%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$119,930	$78,127	—

Older residents in towns around Needham

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Wellesley, MA	2.7 mi	4,691	25%
Newton, MA	3.9 mi	17,046	22%
Dedham, MA	4.0 mi	5,528	30%
Brookline, MA	5.9 mi	9,986	24%
Cochituate, MA	6.5 mi	1,267	25%
Watertown, MA	6.9 mi	6,506	35%

Hospices serving Needham

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
West River Hospice	Needham, MA	1.0 mi	(781) 707-9524
Gentiva	Auburndale, MA	4.3 mi	(617) 332-0813
Good Shepherd Community Care	Newton, MA	4.7 mi	(617) 969-6130
Hebrew Seniorlife Hospice Care, Inc	Dedham, MA	4.8 mi	(781) 234-9950
Pathways Healthcare	Westwood, MA	4.9 mi	(617) 481-9077

Nursing homes near Needham (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Briarwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center	Needham, MA	0.5 mi	4 of 5	120	(781) 449-4040
Skilled Nursing Facility At North Hill (The)	Needham, MA	0.8 mi	2 of 5	72	(781) 444-9910
Elizabeth Seton	Wellesley, MA	2.2 mi	5 of 5	84	(781) 997-1130
Stone Rehabilitation And Senior Living	Newton Upper Falls, MA	2.4 mi	3 of 5	82	(617) 562-0023

Straight-line miles from the center of Needham. 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 Needham

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 17% of the $9,994 monthly median income of Needham 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 Needham: common questions

Which hospices serve Needham?

Medicare lists 17 hospices for Needham ZIP codes, including West River Hospice, Gentiva, Good Shepherd Community Care.

How much does respite care cost in Needham?

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 17% of the $9,994 monthly median income of Needham 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 Needham. 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 Needham

More senior care near Needham

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Needham

More for Needham 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 Needham, MA