Respite Care in Swanton, VT: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Swanton, VT: the local picture

516

residents 65 or older (19% of Swanton)

79%

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

50%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Franklin County)

3

Medicare-certified hospices serve Swanton ZIP codes

Most older adults in Swanton live with someone: 79% 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 260 Swanton residents aged 65 or older report a disability (50%) (31% in Franklin County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Swanton compared with Franklin County and Vermont

Census figure	Swanton	Franklin County	Vermont
Residents 65+ with a disability	50%	31%	29%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	21%	28%	30%
Residents 65 or older	19%	18%	21%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	2.0%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	15%	12%	8.7%
Households with no vehicle	12%	5.8%	6.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$37,051	$49,899	—

Older residents in towns around Swanton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
St. Albans, VT	8.0 mi	968	30%
Milton, VT	20 mi	562	48%
Plattsburgh, NY	23 mi	3,403	35%
Winooski, VT	30 mi	904	43%
Essex Junction, VT	30 mi	1,607	31%
Burlington, VT	30 mi	5,421	32%

Hospices serving Swanton

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Uvmhn Home Health And Hospice	Colchester, VT	27 mi	(802) 658-1900
Vna & Hospice Of Southwest Region, Inc.	Rutland, VT	91 mi	(802) 775-0568
Bayada Hospice	Rutland, VT	91 mi	(802) 857-5030

Nursing homes near Swanton (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Saint Albans Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center	Saint Albans, VT	7.2 mi	3 of 5	115	(802) 524-6534
The Villa Rehab	St. Albans, VT	8.2 mi	1 of 5	30	(802) 524-3498
Franklin County Rehab Center, LLC	St. Albans, VT	8.7 mi	4 of 5	64	(802) 752-1600
Champlain Valley Physicians Hosp Med Ctr S N F	Plattsburgh, NY	23 mi	4 of 5	95	(518) 562-7760

Straight-line miles from the center of Swanton. 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 Swanton

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 56% of the $3,088 monthly median income of Swanton 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 Swanton: common questions

Which hospices serve Swanton?

Medicare lists 3 hospices for Swanton ZIP codes, including Uvmhn Home Health And Hospice, Vna & Hospice Of Southwest Region, Inc., Bayada Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Swanton?

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 56% of the $3,088 monthly median income of Swanton 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 Swanton. 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 Swanton

More senior care near Swanton

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Swanton

More for Swanton 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 Swanton, VT