Respite Care in Pittsfield, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Pittsfield, MA: the local picture

8,425

residents 65 or older (19% of Pittsfield)

59%

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

29%

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

2

Medicare-certified hospices serve Pittsfield ZIP codes

Most older adults in Pittsfield 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 2,330 Pittsfield residents aged 65 or older report a disability (29%) (27% in Berkshire County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 2 hospices serving Pittsfield ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Pittsfield compared with Berkshire County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Pittsfield	Berkshire County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	27%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	41%	33%	29%
Residents 65 or older	19%	25%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.2%	3.2%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.6%	8.4%	11%
Households with no vehicle	14%	9.6%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$52,926	$59,265	—

Older residents in towns around Pittsfield

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Adams, MA	14 mi	1,377	27%
North Adams, MA	17 mi	2,727	38%
Williamstown, MA	18 mi	764	23%
West Sand Lake, NY	21 mi	637	43%
East Greenbush, NY	25 mi	1,197	29%
Wynantskill, NY	25 mi	789	26%

Hospices serving Pittsfield

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospicecare In The Berkshires	Pittsfield, MA	0.7 mi	(413) 443-2994
Hospice Services Of Western & Central Mass	Feeding Hills, MA	40 mi	(413) 786-4004

Nursing homes near Pittsfield (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Berkshire Place	Pittsfield, MA	0.8 mi	4 of 5	54	(413) 445-4056
Hillcrest Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center	Pittsfield, MA	0.9 mi	3 of 5	265	(413) 445-2300
MT Greylock Extended Care Facility	Pittsfield, MA	1.4 mi	5 of 5	100	(413) 499-7186
Springside Rehabilitation And Skilled Care Center	Pittsfield, MA	2.6 mi	4 of 5	135	(413) 499-2334

Straight-line miles from the center of Pittsfield. 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 Pittsfield

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 39% of the $4,411 monthly median income of Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield: common questions

Which hospices serve Pittsfield?

Medicare lists 2 hospices for Pittsfield ZIP codes, including Hospicecare In The Berkshires, Hospice Services Of Western & Central Mass.

How much does respite care cost in Pittsfield?

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 39% of the $4,411 monthly median income of Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield. 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 Pittsfield

More senior care near Pittsfield

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Pittsfield

More for Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield, MA