Respite Care in New Bedford, MA for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in New Bedford, MA: the local picture

15,512

residents 65 or older (15% of New Bedford)

59%

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

36%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Bristol County)

14

Medicare-certified hospices serve New Bedford ZIP codes

Most older adults in New Bedford live with someone: 59% 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 5,348 New Bedford residents aged 65 or older report a disability (36%) (33% in Bristol County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 14 hospices serving New Bedford ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

New Bedford compared with Bristol County and Massachusetts

Census figure	New Bedford	Bristol County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	33%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	41%	30%	29%
Residents 65 or older	15%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	2.1%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	17%	11%	11%
Households with no vehicle	17%	9.5%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$39,345	$54,856	—

Older residents in towns around New Bedford

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Acushnet Center, MA	2.3 mi	816	38%
Smith Mills, MA	3.3 mi	976	32%
Bliss Corner, MA	3.9 mi	1,499	27%
Mattapoisett Center, MA	7.2 mi	719	44%
North Westport, MA	9.0 mi	861	43%
Fall River, MA	9.2 mi	15,169	40%

Hospices serving New Bedford

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Community Nurse Home Care, Inc	Fairhaven, MA	2.9 mi	(508) 992-6278
Hospice And Palliative Care	Fairhaven, MA	2.9 mi	(508) 973-3200
Accentcare Hospice Of Massachusetts	Fall River, MA	10 mi	(508) 235-5312
Bristol Hospice LLC	Fall River, MA	10 mi	(774) 379-7232
Continuum Care Of Mass, LLC	Fall River, MA	10 mi	(434) 977-9715

Nursing homes near New Bedford (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Sacred Heart Nursing Home	New Bedford, MA	0.9 mi	5 of 5	217	(508) 996-6751
Hathaway Manor Extended Care	New Bedford, MA	1.6 mi	2 of 5	142	(508) 996-6763
Alden Court Nursing Care & Rehabilitation Center	Fairhaven, MA	1.8 mi	4 of 5	142	(508) 991-8600
Royal Of Fairhaven Nursing Center	Fairhaven, MA	1.9 mi	3 of 5	107	(508) 997-3193

Straight-line miles from the center of New Bedford. 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 New Bedford

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 52% of the $3,279 monthly median income of New Bedford 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 New Bedford: common questions

Which hospices serve New Bedford?

Medicare lists 14 hospices for New Bedford ZIP codes, including Community Nurse Home Care, Inc, Hospice And Palliative Care, Accentcare Hospice Of Massachusetts.

How much does respite care cost in New Bedford?

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 52% of the $3,279 monthly median income of New Bedford 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 New Bedford. 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 New Bedford

More senior care near New Bedford

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in New Bedford

More for New Bedford 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 New Bedford, MA