Respite Care in Oxford, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Oxford, MA: the local picture

971

residents 65 or older (17% of Oxford)

74%

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

37%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Worcester County)

12

Medicare-certified hospices serve Oxford ZIP codes

Most older adults in Oxford 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 351 Oxford residents aged 65 or older report a disability (37%) (32% in Worcester County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 12 hospices serving Oxford ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Oxford compared with Worcester County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Oxford	Worcester County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	37%	32%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	26%	27%	29%
Residents 65 or older	17%	17%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.4%	1.9%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.9%	10%	11%
Households with no vehicle	7.4%	8.3%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$48,482	$61,599	—

Older residents in towns around Oxford

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Webster, MA	4.8 mi	1,920	50%
East Douglas, MA	8.1 mi	554	16%
Southbridge Town, MA	9.3 mi	2,562	40%
Whitinsville, MA	10 mi	1,169	21%
Worcester, MA	11 mi	27,619	38%
Spencer, MA	11 mi	1,479	43%

Hospices serving Oxford

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Overlook Hospice Services	Charlton, MA	5.2 mi	(508) 765-1515
Compassus - Greater Western Massachusetts	Auburn, MA	6.4 mi	(508) 845-2379
Ascend Hospice	Worcester, MA	11 mi	(508) 229-8390
Jhc Hospice	Worcester, MA	12 mi	(508) 713-0512
Notre Dame Hospice	Worcester, MA	13 mi	(508) 852-5505

Nursing homes near Oxford (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Brookside Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center	Webster, MA	3.7 mi	2 of 5	81	(508) 615-7052
Life Care Center Of Auburn	Auburn, MA	4.6 mi	3 of 5	154	(508) 832-4800
Webster Manor Rehabilitation & Health Care Center	Webster, MA	5.5 mi	2 of 5	135	(508) 949-0644
Lanessa Extended Care	Webster, MA	5.5 mi	1 of 5	96	(203) 465-8321

Straight-line miles from the center of Oxford. 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 Oxford

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 42% of the $4,040 monthly median income of Oxford 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 Oxford: common questions

Which hospices serve Oxford?

Medicare lists 12 hospices for Oxford ZIP codes, including Overlook Hospice Services, Compassus - Greater Western Massachusetts, Ascend Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Oxford?

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 42% of the $4,040 monthly median income of Oxford 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 Oxford. 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 Oxford

More senior care near Oxford

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Oxford

More for Oxford 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 Oxford, MA