Respite Care in St. Johnsbury, VT for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in St. Johnsbury, VT: the local picture

1,208

residents 65 or older (21% of St. Johnsbury)

53%

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

29%

of residents 65+ report a disability (35% in Caledonia County)

3

Medicare-certified hospices serve St. Johnsbury ZIP codes

Most older adults in St. Johnsbury live with someone: 53% 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 339 St. Johnsbury residents aged 65 or older report a disability (29%) (35% in Caledonia County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 3 hospices serving St. Johnsbury ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

St. Johnsbury compared with Caledonia County and Vermont

Census figure	St. Johnsbury	Caledonia County	Vermont
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	35%	29%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	47%	27%	30%
Residents 65 or older	21%	23%	21%
Residents 85 or older	2.3%	2.1%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	8.5%	8.7%
Households with no vehicle	14%	6.7%	6.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$47,860	$49,036	—

Older residents in towns around St. Johnsbury

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Littleton, NH	14 mi	710	28%
Barre, VT	29 mi	1,635	44%
Morrisville, VT	30 mi	557	28%
Montpelier, VT	30 mi	1,949	31%
Berlin, NH	36 mi	1,886	44%
Newport, VT	36 mi	1,132	41%

Hospices serving St. Johnsbury

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Caledonia Home Health Care	Saint Johnsbury, VT	0.3 mi	(802) 748-8116
Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice	Barre, VT	29 mi	(802) 224-2265
Bayada Hospice	Rutland, VT	74 mi	(802) 857-5030

Nursing homes near St. Johnsbury (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
St. Johnsbury Health & Rehab	Saint Johnsbury, VT	1.0 mi	1 of 5	99	(802) 748-8757
Pines Rehab & Health Center	Lyndonville, VT	5.8 mi	4 of 5	60	(802) 626-3367
Greensboro Nursing Home	Greensboro, VT	17 mi	4 of 5	30	(802) 533-7051
Lafayette Center	Franconia, NH	19 mi	1 of 5	72	(603) 823-5502

Straight-line miles from the center of St. Johnsbury. 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 St. Johnsbury

At the Vermont median aide wage of $20.00 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,733 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $3,988 monthly median income of St. Johnsbury households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Vermont's minimum wage is $14.42 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 St. Johnsbury: common questions

Which hospices serve St. Johnsbury?

Medicare lists 3 hospices for St. Johnsbury ZIP codes, including Caledonia Home Health Care, Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice, Bayada Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in St. Johnsbury?

At the Vermont median aide wage of $20.00 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,733 a month in wages, which is 43% of the $3,988 monthly median income of St. Johnsbury households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Vermont's minimum wage is $14.42 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 St. Johnsbury. 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 Vermont.

More near St. Johnsbury

More senior care near St. Johnsbury

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in St. Johnsbury

More for St. Johnsbury 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 St. Johnsbury, VT