Respite Care in Port Townsend, WA
A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in Port Townsend for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Port Townsend, WA: the local picture
Most older adults in Port Townsend live with someone: 62% 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 1,355 Port Townsend residents aged 65 or older report a disability (30%) (30% in Jefferson County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 2 hospices serving Port Townsend ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Port Townsend compared with Jefferson County and Washington
| Census figure | Port Townsend | Jefferson County | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 30% | 30% | 33% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 38% | 27% | 26% |
| Residents 65 or older | 44% | 41% | 17% |
| Residents 85 or older | 4.6% | 3.6% | 1.8% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 12% | 8.1% | 8.9% |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.0% | 4.6% | 7.1% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $60,932 | $65,503 | — |
Older residents in towns around Port Townsend
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Hadlock-Irondale, WA | 6.2 mi | 867 | 40% |
| Oak Harbor, WA | 14 mi | 3,118 | 39% |
| Sequim, WA | 14 mi | 3,722 | 28% |
| Port Ludlow, WA | 15 mi | 1,454 | 23% |
| Camano, WA | 15 mi | 5,906 | 24% |
| Hansville, WA | 18 mi | 1,670 | 24% |
Hospices serving Port Townsend
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Healthcare Home Health | Pt Townsend, WA | 1.3 mi | (360) 385-0610 |
| Assured Home Health, Hospice & Home Care | Centralia, WA | 97 mi | (360) 330-2640 |
Nursing homes near Port Townsend (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life Care Center Of Port Townsend | Port Townsend, WA | 1.0 mi | 5 of 5 | 94 | (360) 385-3555 |
| Regency Coupeville Rehab And Nursing Center | Coupeville, WA | 8.2 mi | 2 of 5 | 112 | (360) 678-2273 |
| Avamere Olympic Rehabilitation Of Sequim | Sequim, WA | 15 mi | 2 of 5 | 90 | (360) 582-3900 |
| Sequim Bay Post Acute | Sequim, WA | 16 mi | 4 of 5 | 100 | (360) 582-2400 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Port Townsend. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What respite care costs in Port Townsend
At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $5,078 monthly median income of Port Townsend households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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.
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.
Respite Care in Port Townsend: common questions
Which hospices serve Port Townsend?
Medicare lists 2 hospices for Port Townsend ZIP codes, including Jefferson Healthcare Home Health, Assured Home Health, Hospice & Home Care.
How much does respite care cost in Port Townsend?
At the Washington median aide wage of $22.95 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,989 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $5,078 monthly median income of Port Townsend households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 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 Port Townsend. 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 Washington.
More senior care near Port Townsend
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Port Hadlock-Irondale, WA
- Respite Care in Oak Harbor, WA
- Respite Care in Sequim, WA
- Respite Care in Port Ludlow, WA
- Respite Care in Camano, WA
- Respite Care in Hansville, WA
- Respite Care in Warm Beach, WA
- Respite Care in Stanwood, WA
- Respite Care in Lake Goodwin, WA
- Respite Care in Anacortes, WA
- Respite Care in Mukilteo, WA
- Respite Care in Port Angeles East, WA
- Respite Care in Poulsbo, WA
- Respite Care in Bangor Base, WA
- Respite Care in Picnic Point, WA
- Respite Care in Meadowdale, WA
Other care in Port Townsend
- Companion Care in Port Townsend
- Dementia Care in Port Townsend
- Live-In Caregivers in Port Townsend
- Post-Surgery Care in Port Townsend
- Senior Transportation in Port Townsend
- Home Health Aides in Port Townsend
- Nursing Assistants in Port Townsend
- Personal Care in Port Townsend
- Overnight Caregivers in Port Townsend
- 24-Hour Home Care in Port Townsend
- Mobility Assistance in Port Townsend
- Parkinson’s Care in Port Townsend
- Stroke Recovery Support in Port Townsend
- Disability Care for Adults in Port Townsend
- Hospice Support in Port Townsend
- Senior Meal Preparation in Port Townsend
- Senior Housekeeping in Port Townsend
- Medication Reminders in Port Townsend
- Veterans’ Home Care in Port Townsend
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.
Find respite care in Port Townsend
Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near Port Townsend can see it as soon as it is live.
Create your free family accountLooking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.
