Respite Care in Scranton, PA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Scranton, PA: the local picture

14,452

residents 65 or older (19% of Scranton)

61%

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

35%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Lackawanna County)

15

Medicare-certified hospices serve Scranton ZIP codes

Most older adults in Scranton 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 4,542 Scranton residents aged 65 or older report a disability (35%) (34% in Lackawanna County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 15 hospices serving Scranton ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Scranton compared with Lackawanna County and Pennsylvania

Census figure	Scranton	Lackawanna County	Pennsylvania
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	34%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	35%	30%
Residents 65 or older	19%	21%	19%
Residents 85 or older	2.6%	2.8%	2.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	15%	13%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	14%	9.4%	10%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$39,922	$47,340	—

Older residents in towns around Scranton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Taylor, PA	2.6 mi	1,134	43%
Dunmore, PA	3.2 mi	2,950	39%
Moosic, PA	3.9 mi	1,317	41%
Throop, PA	4.5 mi	866	26%
Old Forge, PA	4.5 mi	2,099	36%
Dickson City, PA	4.7 mi	1,319	38%

Hospices serving Scranton

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of The Sacred Heart	Moosic, PA	3.5 mi	(570) 706-2400
Residential Healthcare Of NE Pa, LLC	Moosic, PA	3.5 mi	(888) 923-5842
Traditional Hospice	Dunmore, PA	3.6 mi	(570) 207-9286
Home Health Care Professionals And Hospice	Olyphant, PA	5.5 mi	(570) 876-2900
Compassionate Care Hospice Of Northwestern Pennsylvania, LLC	Olyphant, PA	5.5 mi	(570) 451-1031

Nursing homes near Scranton (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Gino J Merli Veterans Center	Scranton, PA	0.5 mi	5 of 5	196	(570) 961-4300
Elan Skilled Nursing And Rehab, A Jewish Senior Li	Scranton, PA	0.7 mi	1 of 5	145	(570) 344-6177
Embassy Of Scranton	Scranton, PA	0.9 mi	1 of 5	139	(570) 346-5704
Linwood Nursing And Rehabilitation Center	Scranton, PA	0.9 mi	1 of 5	102	(570) 346-7381

Straight-line miles from the center of Scranton. 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 Scranton

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $3,327 monthly median income of Scranton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 Scranton: common questions

Which hospices serve Scranton?

Medicare lists 15 hospices for Scranton ZIP codes, including Hospice Of The Sacred Heart, Residential Healthcare Of NE Pa, LLC, Traditional Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Scranton?

At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 37% of the $3,327 monthly median income of Scranton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania'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 Scranton. 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 Pennsylvania.

More near Scranton

More senior care near Scranton

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Scranton

More for Scranton 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 Scranton, PA