Respite Care in Pawcatuck, CT: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Pawcatuck, CT: the local picture

1,283

residents 65 or older (23% of Pawcatuck)

55%

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

29%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region)

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Pawcatuck ZIP codes

Most older adults in Pawcatuck live with someone: 55% 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 376 Pawcatuck residents aged 65 or older report a disability (29%) (32% in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Pawcatuck compared with Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region and Connecticut

Census figure	Pawcatuck	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Connecticut
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	32%	29%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	45%	28%	29%
Residents 65 or older	23%	20%	19%
Residents 85 or older	1.3%	2.3%	2.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	7.7%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	6.6%	7.4%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$43,800	$69,955	—

Older residents in towns around Pawcatuck

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Westerly, RI	2.6 mi	4,633	21%
Mystic, CT	5.3 mi	1,727	27%
Old Mystic, CT	6.8 mi	691	33%
Conning Towers-Nautilus Park, CT	11 mi	621	56%
Groton, CT	11 mi	1,537	35%
New London, CT	13 mi	4,148	40%

Hospices serving Pawcatuck

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Home Care Plus, Inc	Guilford, CT	44 mi	(203) 458-4200
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	East Hartford, CT	48 mi	(860) 282-0527
Hartford Healthcare At Home	East Hartford, CT	48 mi	(860) 249-4862
Connecticut Hospice Inc, The	Branford, CT	50 mi	(203) 315-7586
Masonicare Home Health And Hospice Inc	Wallingford, CT	50 mi	(203) 679-5200

Nursing homes near Pawcatuck (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Royal Of Westerly Nursing Center	Westerly, RI	1.6 mi	4 of 5	66	(401) 596-4925
Westerly Health Center	Westerly, RI	2.1 mi	3 of 5	120	(401) 348-0020
Apple Rehab Clipper	Westerly, RI	4.2 mi	4 of 5	60	(401) 322-8081
Pendleton Rehabilitation And Nursing Center	Mystic, CT	4.9 mi	5 of 5	120	(860) 572-1700

Straight-line miles from the center of Pawcatuck. 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 Pawcatuck

At the Connecticut median aide wage of $18.75 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,625 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $3,650 monthly median income of Pawcatuck households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Connecticut's minimum wage is $16.94 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 Pawcatuck: common questions

Which hospices serve Pawcatuck?

Medicare lists 6 hospices for Pawcatuck ZIP codes, including Home Care Plus, Inc, Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company, Hartford Healthcare At Home.

How much does respite care cost in Pawcatuck?

At the Connecticut median aide wage of $18.75 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,625 a month in wages, which is 45% of the $3,650 monthly median income of Pawcatuck households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Connecticut's minimum wage is $16.94 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 Pawcatuck. 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 Connecticut.

More near Pawcatuck

More senior care near Pawcatuck

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Pawcatuck

More for Pawcatuck 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 Pawcatuck, CT