Respite Care in Salisbury, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Salisbury, MA: the local picture

1,648

residents 65 or older (29% of Salisbury)

61%

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

26%

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

12

Medicare-certified hospices serve Salisbury ZIP codes

Most older adults in Salisbury live with someone: 61% 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 424 Salisbury residents aged 65 or older report a disability (26%) (30% in Essex County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 12 hospices serving Salisbury ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Salisbury compared with Essex County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Salisbury	Essex County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	26%	30%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	29%	29%
Residents 65 or older	29%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.3%	2.2%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.6%	11%	11%
Households with no vehicle	7.6%	9.3%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$66,917	$66,414	—

Older residents in towns around Salisbury

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Newburyport, MA	2.4 mi	4,547	28%
Amesbury, MA	5.7 mi	3,170	29%
Hampton Beach, NH	6.0 mi	879	26%
Hampton, NH	7.9 mi	2,720	23%
Ipswich, MA	11 mi	640	26%
Exeter, NH	11 mi	2,187	29%

Hospices serving Salisbury

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Constellation Hospice	Newburyport, MA	2.3 mi	(978) 904-3059
Elara Caring	Newburyport, MA	2.3 mi	(978) 358-1007
Harborside Hospice Of Massachusetts, LLC	Haverhill, MA	15 mi	(800) 331-1044
Compassus - Southern Massachusetts	North Andover, MA	17 mi	(978) 777-8222
Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home	Danvers, MA	19 mi	(781) 756-2488

Nursing homes near Salisbury (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
The Mansion At Brigham	Newburyport, MA	2.1 mi	1 of 5	64	(978) 462-4221
Port Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center	Newburyport, MA	2.7 mi	2 of 5	123	(978) 462-7373
Adviniacare Newburyport	Newburyport, MA	2.7 mi	2 of 5	111	(978) 465-5361
Maplewood Center	Amesbury, MA	4.4 mi	1 of 5	120	(978) 388-3500

Straight-line miles from the center of Salisbury. 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 Salisbury

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 31% of the $5,576 monthly median income of Salisbury 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 Salisbury: common questions

Which hospices serve Salisbury?

Medicare lists 12 hospices for Salisbury ZIP codes, including Constellation Hospice, Elara Caring, Harborside Hospice Of Massachusetts, LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Salisbury?

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 31% of the $5,576 monthly median income of Salisbury 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 Salisbury. 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 Salisbury

More senior care near Salisbury

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Salisbury

More for Salisbury 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 Salisbury, MA