Respite Care in Spencer, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Spencer, MA: the local picture

1,479

residents 65 or older (26% of Spencer)

52%

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

43%

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

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Spencer ZIP codes

Most older adults in Spencer live with someone: 52% 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 641 Spencer residents aged 65 or older report a disability (43%) (32% in Worcester County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 10 hospices serving Spencer ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Spencer compared with Worcester County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Spencer	Worcester County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	43%	32%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	48%	27%	29%
Residents 65 or older	26%	17%	18%
Residents 85 or older	3.5%	1.9%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	24%	10%	11%
Households with no vehicle	14%	8.3%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$43,031	$61,599	—

Older residents in towns around Spencer

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
North Brookfield, MA	4.9 mi	370	60%
Worcester, MA	9.6 mi	27,619	38%
Oxford, MA	11 mi	971	37%
Ware, MA	13 mi	1,106	29%
Southbridge Town, MA	13 mi	2,562	40%
Webster, MA	15 mi	1,920	50%

Hospices serving Spencer

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Overlook Hospice Services	Charlton, MA	7.8 mi	(508) 765-1515
Compassus - Greater Western Massachusetts	Auburn, MA	8.4 mi	(508) 845-2379
Jhc Hospice	Worcester, MA	8.8 mi	(508) 713-0512
Notre Dame Hospice	Worcester, MA	11 mi	(508) 852-5505
Vna Care Hospice Inc	Worcester, MA	11 mi	(508) 756-7176

Nursing homes near Spencer (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Meadows Of Central Massachusetts (The)	Rochdale, MA	5.9 mi	4 of 5	135	(508) 892-6804
Hermitage Healthcare (The)	Worcester, MA	7.3 mi	2 of 5	101	(508) 791-8131
Parsons Hill Rehabilitation & Health Care Center	Worcester, MA	7.3 mi	2 of 5	162	(508) 791-4200
Quaboag Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Facility	West Brookfield, MA	7.5 mi	5 of 5	166	(508) 867-7716

Straight-line miles from the center of Spencer. 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 Spencer

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 48% of the $3,586 monthly median income of Spencer 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 Spencer: common questions

Which hospices serve Spencer?

Medicare lists 10 hospices for Spencer ZIP codes, including Overlook Hospice Services, Compassus - Greater Western Massachusetts, Jhc Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Spencer?

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 48% of the $3,586 monthly median income of Spencer 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 Spencer. 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 Spencer

More senior care near Spencer

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Spencer

More for Spencer 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 Spencer, MA