Respite Care in Somerset, NJ: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Somerset, NJ: the local picture

3,905

residents 65 or older (17% of Somerset)

75%

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

27%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Somerset County)

30

Medicare-certified hospices serve Somerset ZIP codes

Most older adults in Somerset live with someone: 75% 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 1,004 Somerset residents aged 65 or older report a disability (27%) (27% in Somerset County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 30 hospices serving Somerset ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Somerset compared with Somerset County and New Jersey

Census figure	Somerset	Somerset County	New Jersey
Residents 65+ with a disability	27%	27%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	25%	24%	27%
Residents 65 or older	17%	17%	17%
Residents 85 or older	2.6%	2.1%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.8%	6.2%	9.7%
Households with no vehicle	3.7%	4.0%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$88,056	$92,278	—

Older residents in towns around Somerset

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
East Franklin, NJ	1.9 mi	1,015	56%
Rutgers University-Busch Campus, NJ	1.9 mi	9	—
Franklin Center, NJ	2.7 mi	2,246	30%
Rutgers University-Livingston Campus, NJ	3.0 mi	0	—
Six Mile Run, NJ	3.2 mi	450	54%
New Brunswick, NJ	3.3 mi	3,626	37%

Hospices serving Somerset

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Martin And Edith Stein Hospice, The	Somerset, NJ	0.5 mi	(732) 227-1212
Gentiva	Piscataway, NJ	3.7 mi	(732) 562-8800
Robert Wood Johnson Visiting Nurse, Inc	North Brunswick, NJ	3.9 mi	(732) 224-6991
Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care Of New Jersey Ll	Edison, NJ	5.4 mi	(866) 243-2157
Spero Hospice & Palliative Care	East Brunswick, NJ	7.4 mi	(732) 955-6648

Nursing homes near Somerset (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Parker At Somerset, Inc	Somerset, NJ	0.8 mi	5 of 5	120	(732) 545-4200
Regency Heritage Nursing And Rehabilitation Center	Somerset, NJ	1.0 mi	4 of 5	265	(732) 873-2000
Somerset Woods Rehabilitation & Nursing Center	Somerset, NJ	2.4 mi	3 of 5	148	(732) 653-3000
Accelerate Skilled Nursing And Rehab Piscataway	Piscataway, NJ	2.4 mi	2 of 5	124	(732) 917-2900

Straight-line miles from the center of Somerset. 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 Somerset

At the New Jersey median aide wage of $17.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,545 a month in wages, which is 21% of the $7,338 monthly median income of Somerset households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. New Jersey's minimum wage is $15.92 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 Somerset: common questions

Which hospices serve Somerset?

Medicare lists 30 hospices for Somerset ZIP codes, including Martin And Edith Stein Hospice, The, Gentiva, Robert Wood Johnson Visiting Nurse, Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Somerset?

At the New Jersey median aide wage of $17.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,545 a month in wages, which is 21% of the $7,338 monthly median income of Somerset households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. New Jersey's minimum wage is $15.92 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 Somerset. 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 New Jersey.

More near Somerset

More senior care near Somerset

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Somerset

More for Somerset 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 Somerset, NJ