Respite Care in Portsmouth, NH: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Portsmouth, NH: the local picture

4,946

residents 65 or older (22% of Portsmouth)

68%

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

29%

of residents 65+ report a disability (26% in Rockingham County)

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Portsmouth ZIP codes

Most older adults in Portsmouth live with someone: 68% 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 1,353 Portsmouth residents aged 65 or older report a disability (29%) (26% in Rockingham County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 8 hospices serving Portsmouth ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Portsmouth compared with Rockingham County and New Hampshire

Census figure	Portsmouth	Rockingham County	New Hampshire
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	26%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	24%	27%
Residents 65 or older	22%	20%	20%
Residents 85 or older	2.6%	1.8%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.8%	6.0%	7.7%
Households with no vehicle	4.9%	3.1%	4.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$73,426	$75,258	—

Older residents in towns around Portsmouth

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Kittery, ME	2.9 mi	1,402	33%
South Eliot, ME	5.2 mi	1,380	19%
Newmarket, NH	8.2 mi	756	22%
Hampton, NH	8.4 mi	2,720	23%
York Harbor, ME	8.8 mi	981	36%
Durham, NH	9.2 mi	802	26%

Hospices serving Portsmouth

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Portsmouth, NH	1.5 mi	(603) 433-2480
Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home	Exeter, NH	10 mi	(603) 772-2981
Wentworth Home Care & Hospice, An Amedisys Partner	Somersworth, NH	14 mi	(603) 692-0220
Cornerstone Vna	Rochester, NH	20 mi	(603) 332-1133
Harborside Hospice LLC	Plaistow, NH	22 mi	(800) 331-1044

Nursing homes near Portsmouth (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Edgewood Centre (The)	Portsmouth, NH	0.9 mi	3 of 5	156	(603) 436-0099
Cedar Healthcare Center	Portsmouth, NH	1.1 mi	5 of 5	102	(603) 431-2530
Webster At Rye	Rye, NH	3.8 mi	4 of 5	61	(603) 964-8144
Durgin Pines	Kittery, ME	5.4 mi	5 of 5	81	(207) 439-9800

Straight-line miles from the center of Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth

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 26% of the $6,119 monthly median income of Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth: common questions

Which hospices serve Portsmouth?

Medicare lists 8 hospices for Portsmouth ZIP codes, including Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company, Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home, Wentworth Home Care & Hospice, An Amedisys Partner.

How much does respite care cost in Portsmouth?

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 26% of the $6,119 monthly median income of Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth

More senior care near Portsmouth

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Portsmouth

More for Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth, NH