Respite Care in Smyrna, DE
A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in Smyrna for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Smyrna, DE: the local picture
Most older adults in Smyrna live with someone: 72% 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 1,000 Smyrna residents aged 65 or older report a disability (46%) (37% in Kent County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 10 hospices serving Smyrna ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Smyrna compared with Kent County and Delaware
| Census figure | Smyrna | Kent County | Delaware |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 46% | 37% | 30% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 28% | 27% | 25% |
| Residents 65 or older | 18% | 18% | 21% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.8% | 1.9% | 2.0% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 12% | 8.6% | 7.6% |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.4% | 6.6% | 6.2% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $51,969 | $58,403 | — |
Older residents in towns around Smyrna
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton, DE | 1.9 mi | 400 | 34% |
| Townsend, DE | 9.0 mi | 173 | 32% |
| Dover, DE | 10 mi | 6,984 | 44% |
| Middletown, DE | 12 mi | 3,806 | 26% |
| Highland Acres, DE | 13 mi | 928 | 45% |
| Camden, DE | 14 mi | 925 | 33% |
Hospices serving Smyrna
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware Hospice Central Div | Dover, DE | 11 mi | (302) 678-4444 |
| Delaware Hospice - North Division | Newark, DE | 24 mi | (302) 478-5707 |
| Christianacare Accentcare Hosp & Palliative Care | Newark, DE | 27 mi | (302) 533-3800 |
| Heartland Hospice | Newark, DE | 27 mi | (302) 737-7080 |
| Vitas Healthcare Corporation Atlantic | Newark, DE | 27 mi | (302) 451-4000 |
Nursing homes near Smyrna (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware Hospital F/T Chronically Ill (Dhci) | Smyrna, DE | 0.6 mi | 2 of 5 | 175 | (302) 223-1500 |
| Evergreen Post Acute | Smyrna, DE | 2.6 mi | 2 of 5 | 151 | (302) 653-5085 |
| Westminster Village Health | Dover, DE | 8.8 mi | 4 of 5 | 75 | (302) 744-3527 |
| Complete Care At Silver Lake LLC | Dover, DE | 8.9 mi | 3 of 5 | 120 | (302) 734-5990 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Smyrna. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What respite care costs in Smyrna
At the Delaware median aide wage of $16.50 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,430 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $4,331 monthly median income of Smyrna households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Delaware'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.
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.
Respite Care in Smyrna: common questions
Which hospices serve Smyrna?
Medicare lists 10 hospices for Smyrna ZIP codes, including Delaware Hospice Central Div, Delaware Hospice - North Division, Christianacare Accentcare Hosp & Palliative Care.
How much does respite care cost in Smyrna?
At the Delaware median aide wage of $16.50 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,430 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $4,331 monthly median income of Smyrna households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Delaware'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 Smyrna. 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 Delaware.
More senior care near Smyrna
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Clayton, DE
- Respite Care in Townsend, DE
- Respite Care in Dover, DE
- Respite Care in Middletown, DE
- Respite Care in Highland Acres, DE
- Respite Care in Camden, DE
- Respite Care in Dover Base Housing, DE
- Respite Care in Rising Sun-Lebanon, DE
- Respite Care in Riverview, DE
- Respite Care in Salem, NJ
- Respite Care in Bridgeton, NJ
- Respite Care in Glasgow, DE
- Respite Care in Bear, DE
- Respite Care in Elkton, MD
- Respite Care in Greensboro, MD
- Respite Care in Pennsville, NJ
Other care in Smyrna
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.
Find respite care in Smyrna
Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near Smyrna can see it as soon as it is live.
Create your free family accountLooking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.
