Respite Care in Smithsburg, MD: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Smithsburg, MD: the local picture

352

residents 65 or older (11% of Smithsburg)

73%

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

26%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Washington County)

2

Medicare-certified hospices serve Smithsburg ZIP codes

Most older adults in Smithsburg live with someone: 73% 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 92 Smithsburg residents aged 65 or older report a disability (26%) (32% in Washington County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 2 hospices serving Smithsburg ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Smithsburg compared with Washington County and Maryland

Census figure	Smithsburg	Washington County	Maryland
Residents 65+ with a disability	26%	32%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	27%	28%	27%
Residents 65 or older	11%	18%	17%
Residents 85 or older	0.4%	2.1%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	17%	9.0%	9.5%
Households with no vehicle	1.2%	7.7%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$45,547	$56,121	—

Older residents in towns around Smithsburg

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Robinwood, MD	4.8 mi	1,273	34%
Paramount-Long Meadow, MD	6.2 mi	468	22%
Wayne Heights, PA	6.6 mi	483	39%
Waynesboro, PA	6.7 mi	1,607	38%
Fountainhead-Orchard Hills, MD	7.7 mi	1,362	43%
Hagerstown, MD	7.7 mi	6,354	41%

Hospices serving Smithsburg

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Washington County, Inc	Hagerstown, MD	8.5 mi	(301) 791-6360
Frederick Health Hospice	Frederick, MD	13 mi	(240) 566-3030

Nursing homes near Smithsburg (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Complete Care At Hagerstown	Hagerstown, MD	6.5 mi	1 of 5	60	(301) 733-8700
Hagerstown Healthcare Center	Hagerstown, MD	6.9 mi	2 of 5	140	(301) 797-4020
Western Md Hospital Center	Hagerstown, MD	7.4 mi	5 of 5	63	(301) 745-4200
Coffman Nursing Home	Hagerstown, MD	7.4 mi	3 of 5	59	(301) 733-2914

Straight-line miles from the center of Smithsburg. 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 Smithsburg

At the Maryland median aide wage of $18.29 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,585 a month in wages, which is 42% of the $3,796 monthly median income of Smithsburg households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maryland'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 Smithsburg: common questions

Which hospices serve Smithsburg?

Medicare lists 2 hospices for Smithsburg ZIP codes, including Hospice Of Washington County, Inc, Frederick Health Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Smithsburg?

At the Maryland median aide wage of $18.29 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,585 a month in wages, which is 42% of the $3,796 monthly median income of Smithsburg households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maryland'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 Smithsburg. 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 Maryland.

More near Smithsburg

More senior care near Smithsburg

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Smithsburg

More for Smithsburg families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (small-place figures carry wide margins of error); 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 Smithsburg, MD