Respite Care in Peterborough, NH for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Peterborough, NH: the local picture

891

residents 65 or older (35% of Peterborough)

58%

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

18%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Hillsborough County)

3

Medicare-certified hospices serve Peterborough ZIP codes

Most older adults in Peterborough live with someone: 58% 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 141 Peterborough residents aged 65 or older report a disability (18%) (28% in Hillsborough County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 3 hospices serving Peterborough ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Peterborough compared with Hillsborough County and New Hampshire

Census figure	Peterborough	Hillsborough County	New Hampshire
Residents 65+ with a disability	18%	28%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	42%	28%	27%
Residents 65 or older	35%	17%	20%
Residents 85 or older	4.2%	1.9%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	0.0%	6.9%	7.7%
Households with no vehicle	3.4%	5.2%	4.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$68,967	$66,323	—

Older residents in towns around Peterborough

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Jaffrey, NH	5.5 mi	338	38%
Winchendon, MA	14 mi	672	54%
Milford, NH	15 mi	1,620	34%
Keene, NH	18 mi	4,479	35%
Baldwinville, MA	20 mi	375	37%
Gardner, MA	20 mi	4,135	34%

Hospices serving Peterborough

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Vna At Hcs	Keene, NH	18 mi	(603) 352-2253
Compassus - Greater Manchester	Bedford, NH	23 mi	(603) 606-7974
Bayada Hospice	Rutland, VT	72 mi	(802) 857-5030

Nursing homes near Peterborough (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Pheasant Wood Center	Peterborough, NH	2.4 mi	2 of 5	99	(603) 924-7267
Jaffrey Rehabilitation And Nursing Center	Jaffrey, NH	5.6 mi	1 of 5	83	(603) 532-8762
Crestwood Center	Milford, NH	15 mi	4 of 5	82	(603) 673-7061
The Elms Center	Milford, NH	16 mi	2 of 5	52	(603) 673-2907

Straight-line miles from the center of Peterborough. 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 Peterborough

At the New Hampshire median aide wage of $18.64 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,615 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,747 monthly median income of Peterborough households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. New Hampshire's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Peterborough: common questions

Which hospices serve Peterborough?

Medicare lists 3 hospices for Peterborough ZIP codes, including Vna At Hcs, Compassus - Greater Manchester, Bayada Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Peterborough?

At the New Hampshire median aide wage of $18.64 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,615 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $5,747 monthly median income of Peterborough households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. New Hampshire's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Peterborough. 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 New Hampshire.

More near Peterborough

More senior care near Peterborough

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Peterborough

More for Peterborough 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 Peterborough, NH