Respite Care in Rochester, NH: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Rochester, NH: the local picture

6,487

residents 65 or older (20% of Rochester)

66%

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

38%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Strafford County)

11

Medicare-certified hospices serve Rochester ZIP codes

Most older adults in Rochester live with someone: 66% 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 2,354 Rochester residents aged 65 or older report a disability (38%) (33% in Strafford County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 11 hospices serving Rochester ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Rochester compared with Strafford County and New Hampshire

Census figure	Rochester	Strafford County	New Hampshire
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	33%	28%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	31%	27%
Residents 65 or older	20%	17%	20%
Residents 85 or older	2.1%	1.7%	2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	13%	9.6%	7.7%
Households with no vehicle	5.0%	4.9%	4.6%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,759	$60,487	—

Older residents in towns around Rochester

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Somersworth, NH	5.5 mi	1,700	49%
Farmington, NH	8.5 mi	495	49%
Dover, NH	9.1 mi	5,597	28%
South Berwick, ME	10 mi	528	33%
Durham, NH	11 mi	802	26%
Sanford, ME	14 mi	4,621	36%

Hospices serving Rochester

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Cornerstone Vna	Rochester, NH	0.4 mi	(603) 332-1133
Wentworth Home Care & Hospice, An Amedisys Partner	Somersworth, NH	6.0 mi	(603) 692-0220
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Portsmouth, NH	18 mi	(603) 433-2480
Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home	Exeter, NH	22 mi	(603) 772-2981
Harborside Hospice LLC	Plaistow, NH	33 mi	(800) 331-1044

Nursing homes near Rochester (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Rochester Manor	Rochester, NH	1.1 mi	2 of 5	108	(603) 332-7711
Birch Healthcare Center	Rochester, NH	1.2 mi	2 of 5	79	(603) 335-3955
Riverside Rest Home	Dover, NH	5.8 mi	5 of 5	215	(603) 742-1348
Dover Center For Health & Rehabilitation	Dover, NH	7.3 mi	4 of 5	112	(603) 742-2676

Straight-line miles from the center of Rochester. 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 Rochester

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 45% of the $3,563 monthly median income of Rochester 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 Rochester: common questions

Which hospices serve Rochester?

Medicare lists 11 hospices for Rochester ZIP codes, including Cornerstone Vna, Wentworth Home Care & Hospice, An Amedisys Partner, Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company.

How much does respite care cost in Rochester?

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 45% of the $3,563 monthly median income of Rochester 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 Rochester. 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 Rochester

More senior care near Rochester

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Rochester

More for Rochester 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 Rochester, NH