Respite Care in Salem, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Salem, MA: the local picture

7,721

residents 65 or older (17% of Salem)

60%

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

31%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Essex County)

13

Medicare-certified hospices serve Salem ZIP codes

Most older adults in Salem live with someone: 60% 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 2,336 Salem residents aged 65 or older report a disability (31%) (30% in Essex County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 13 hospices serving Salem ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Salem compared with Essex County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Salem	Essex County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	31%	30%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	29%	29%
Residents 65 or older	17%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.8%	2.2%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	17%	11%	11%
Households with no vehicle	15%	9.3%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$53,170	$66,414	—

Older residents in towns around Salem

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Swampscott, MA	2.2 mi	3,110	32%
Marblehead, MA	3.2 mi	4,639	18%
Lynn, MA	3.7 mi	13,917	37%
Peabody, MA	4.4 mi	13,277	37%
Beverly, MA	4.8 mi	8,270	29%
Danvers, MA	5.8 mi	6,337	27%

Hospices serving Salem

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
All Care Hospice Inc	Lynn, MA	3.6 mi	(781) 586-1608
Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home	Danvers, MA	5.3 mi	(781) 756-2488
Care Dimensions, Inc	Danvers, MA	5.3 mi	(978) 822-3846
Legacy Lifecare Hospice And Palliative Care	Chelsea, MA	9.9 mi	(617) 889-0779
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Charlestown, MA	12 mi	(617) 242-4872

Nursing homes near Salem (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Salem Rehab Center	Salem, MA	0.9 mi	3 of 5	123	(508) 904-7486
Devereux Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center	Marblehead, MA	1.2 mi	4 of 5	64	(781) 631-6120
Lafayette Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing	Marblehead, MA	1.3 mi	5 of 5	65	(781) 631-4535
Abbott Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center	Lynn, MA	2.3 mi	4 of 5	55	(781) 595-5500

Straight-line miles from the center of Salem. 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 Salem

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 38% of the $4,431 monthly median income of Salem 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 Salem: common questions

Which hospices serve Salem?

Medicare lists 13 hospices for Salem ZIP codes, including All Care Hospice Inc, Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home, Care Dimensions, Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Salem?

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 38% of the $4,431 monthly median income of Salem 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 Salem. 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 Salem

More senior care near Salem

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Salem

More for Salem 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 Salem, MA