Respite Care in Waltham, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Waltham, MA: the local picture

10,228

residents 65 or older (16% of Waltham)

68%

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

30%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Middlesex County)

18

Medicare-certified hospices serve Waltham ZIP codes

Most older adults in Waltham live with someone: 68% 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 2,960 Waltham residents aged 65 or older report a disability (30%) (28% in Middlesex County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 18 hospices serving Waltham ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Waltham compared with Middlesex County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Waltham	Middlesex County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	28%	29%
Residents 65 or older	16%	16%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	2.0%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	9.2%	11%
Households with no vehicle	8.6%	10%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$58,556	$78,342	—

Older residents in towns around Waltham

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Belmont, MA	3.2 mi	5,235	25%
Watertown, MA	3.5 mi	6,506	35%
Lexington, MA	3.9 mi	7,430	18%
Newton, MA	4.3 mi	17,046	22%
Arlington, MA	4.5 mi	8,030	25%
Wellesley, MA	6.1 mi	4,691	25%

Hospices serving Waltham

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
First Choice Healthcare Inc	Newton, MA	3.7 mi	(617) 738-1113
Good Shepherd Community Care	Newton, MA	4.8 mi	(617) 969-6130
Brighton Hospice Massachusetts, LLC	Newton, MA	5.4 mi	(801) 996-3217
West River Hospice	Needham, MA	6.5 mi	(781) 707-9524
Compassionate Care Hospice	Woburn, MA	7.8 mi	(781) 935-5550

Nursing homes near Waltham (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Maristhill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center	Waltham, MA	1.2 mi	3 of 5	123	(781) 755-2020
Brookhaven At Lexington	Lexington, MA	1.9 mi	5 of 5	49	(781) 863-9660
Belmont Manor Nursing Home, In	Belmont, MA	2.5 mi	2 of 5	156	(617) 489-1200
Pine Knoll Nursing Center	Lexington, MA	2.7 mi	not rated	81	(781) 862-8151

Straight-line miles from the center of Waltham. 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 Waltham

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 35% of the $4,880 monthly median income of Waltham 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 Waltham: common questions

Which hospices serve Waltham?

Medicare lists 18 hospices for Waltham ZIP codes, including First Choice Healthcare Inc, Good Shepherd Community Care, Brighton Hospice Massachusetts, LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Waltham?

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 35% of the $4,880 monthly median income of Waltham 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 Waltham. 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 Waltham

More senior care near Waltham

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Waltham

More for Waltham 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 Waltham, MA