Respite Care in Reading, MA
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 Reading for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Reading, MA: the local picture
Most older adults in Reading live with someone: 72% 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 1,225 Reading residents aged 65 or older report a disability (24%) (28% in Middlesex County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 17 hospices serving Reading ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Reading compared with Middlesex County and Massachusetts
| Census figure | Reading | Middlesex County | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 24% | 28% | 30% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 28% | 28% | 29% |
| Residents 65 or older | 21% | 16% | 18% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.6% | 2.0% | 2.2% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 7.7% | 9.2% | 11% |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.9% | 10% | 12% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $85,707 | $78,342 | — |
Older residents in towns around Reading
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wakefield, MA | 3.0 mi | 5,268 | 33% |
| Lynnfield, MA | 3.4 mi | 2,338 | 19% |
| Wilmington, MA | 3.6 mi | 3,647 | 26% |
| Woburn, MA | 4.1 mi | 6,588 | 34% |
| Stoneham, MA | 4.2 mi | 4,755 | 32% |
| Burlington, MA | 5.4 mi | 5,764 | 25% |
Hospices serving Reading
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compassionate Care Hospice | Woburn, MA | 4.5 mi | (781) 935-5550 |
| Visiting Nurse & Community Care | Arlington, MA | 8.4 mi | (781) 643-6090 |
| Care Dimensions, Inc | Danvers, MA | 8.6 mi | (978) 822-3846 |
| Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home | Danvers, MA | 8.6 mi | (781) 756-2488 |
| All Care Hospice Inc | Lynn, MA | 9.6 mi | (781) 586-1608 |
Nursing homes near Reading (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oc Reading Center LLC | Reading, MA | 1.4 mi | 1 of 5 | 123 | (781) 942-1210 |
| Willow Brook Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center | Wilmington, MA | 1.8 mi | 2 of 5 | 142 | (978) 909-4586 |
| Care One At Wilmington | Wilmington, MA | 2.3 mi | 5 of 5 | 132 | (978) 988-0888 |
| Bear Hill Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center | Stoneham, MA | 2.4 mi | 5 of 5 | 169 | (781) 438-8515 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Reading. 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 Reading
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 24% of the $7,142 monthly median income of Reading 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.
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 Reading: common questions
Which hospices serve Reading?
Medicare lists 17 hospices for Reading ZIP codes, including Compassionate Care Hospice, Visiting Nurse & Community Care, Care Dimensions, Inc.
How much does respite care cost in Reading?
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 24% of the $7,142 monthly median income of Reading 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 Reading. 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 senior care near Reading
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Wakefield, MA
- Respite Care in Lynnfield, MA
- Respite Care in Wilmington, MA
- Respite Care in Woburn, MA
- Respite Care in Stoneham, MA
- Respite Care in Burlington, MA
- Respite Care in Melrose, MA
- Respite Care in Winchester, MA
- Respite Care in Pinehurst, MA
- Respite Care in Saugus, MA
- Respite Care in Peabody, MA
- Respite Care in Malden, MA
- Respite Care in Medford, MA
- Respite Care in Danvers, MA
- Respite Care in Lynn, MA
- Respite Care in Andover, MA
Other care in Reading
- Companion Care in Reading
- Dementia Care in Reading
- Live-In Caregivers in Reading
- Post-Surgery Care in Reading
- Senior Transportation in Reading
- Home Health Aides in Reading
- Nursing Assistants in Reading
- Personal Care in Reading
- Overnight Caregivers in Reading
- 24-Hour Home Care in Reading
- Mobility Assistance in Reading
- Parkinson’s Care in Reading
- Stroke Recovery Support in Reading
- Disability Care for Adults in Reading
- Hospice Support in Reading
- Senior Meal Preparation in Reading
- Senior Housekeeping in Reading
- Medication Reminders in Reading
- Veterans’ Home Care in Reading
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.
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