Respite Care in Scituate, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Scituate, MA: the local picture

1,581

residents 65 or older (27% of Scituate)

70%

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

25%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Plymouth County)

11

Medicare-certified hospices serve Scituate ZIP codes

Most older adults in Scituate live with someone: 70% 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 379 Scituate residents aged 65 or older report a disability (25%) (28% in Plymouth County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Scituate compared with Plymouth County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Scituate	Plymouth County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	25%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	30%	25%	29%
Residents 65 or older	27%	20%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.4%	2.0%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	5.2%	9.0%	11%
Households with no vehicle	4.8%	6.0%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$84,606	$73,775	—

Older residents in towns around Scituate

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
North Scituate, MA	2.8 mi	1,004	22%
Marshfield, MA	5.9 mi	972	19%
North Pembroke, MA	6.2 mi	1,092	25%
Ocean Bluff-Brant Rock, MA	6.7 mi	1,128	25%
Hingham, MA	8.7 mi	852	18%
Weymouth Town, MA	11 mi	11,592	27%

Hospices serving Scituate

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Autumn Hospice	Norwell, MA	4.7 mi	(781) 480-1445
Croi Health	Norwell, MA	4.7 mi	(781) 659-2342
Old Colony Hospice, Inc	W Bridgewater, MA	18 mi	(781) 341-4145
Compassionate Care Hospice Of Southeastern Massachusetts LLC	Bridgewater, MA	19 mi	(508) 399-5900
Cranberry Hospice	Plymouth, MA	19 mi	(508) 746-0215

Nursing homes near Scituate (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Cardigan Nursing & Rehabilitation Center	Scituate, MA	0.7 mi	5 of 5	65	(781) 545-9477
Life Care Center Of The South Shore	Scituate, MA	1.5 mi	5 of 5	117	(781) 544-7210
Royal Norwell Nursing & Rehabilitation Center LLC	Norwell, MA	6.8 mi	3 of 5	86	(781) 659-4901
Southwood At Norwell Nursing Ctr	Norwell, MA	7.6 mi	5 of 5	142	(781) 982-7450

Straight-line miles from the center of Scituate. 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 Scituate

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 $7,051 monthly median income of Scituate 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 Scituate: common questions

Which hospices serve Scituate?

Medicare lists 11 hospices for Scituate ZIP codes, including Autumn Hospice, Croi Health, Old Colony Hospice, Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Scituate?

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 $7,051 monthly median income of Scituate 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 Scituate. 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 Scituate

More senior care near Scituate

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Scituate

More for Scituate 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 Scituate, MA