Respite Care in Washington, NC: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Washington, NC: the local picture

2,491

residents 65 or older (26% of Washington)

66%

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

40%

of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in Beaufort County)

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Washington ZIP codes

Most older adults in Washington live with someone: 66% 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 905 Washington residents aged 65 or older report a disability (40%) (37% in Beaufort County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Washington compared with Beaufort County and North Carolina

Census figure	Washington	Beaufort County	North Carolina
Residents 65+ with a disability	40%	37%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	24%	28%
Residents 65 or older	26%	26%	17%
Residents 85 or older	4.0%	2.5%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	16%	13%	11%
Households with no vehicle	12%	6.2%	5.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$41,622	$50,168	—

Older residents in towns around Washington

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
River Road, NC	5.1 mi	870	35%
Greenville, NC	18 mi	10,353	33%
Winterville, NC	20 mi	1,541	44%
Williamston, NC	20 mi	1,123	49%
Ayden, NC	21 mi	1,072	37%
Grifton, NC	25 mi	458	65%

Hospices serving Washington

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Amedisys Hospice	Greenville, NC	20 mi	(919) 758-4622
Amedisys Hospice Care	Plymouth, NC	27 mi	(252) 791-0490
Community Hospice LLC	New Bern, NC	32 mi	(252) 672-8301
Continuum Home Care & Hospice Of Lenior County	Kinston, NC	36 mi	(252) 527-3786
3HC	Goldsboro, NC	51 mi	(919) 735-5887

Nursing homes near Washington (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
River Trace Nursing And Rehabilitation Center	Washington, NC	1.0 mi	1 of 5	140	(252) 975-1636
Ridgewood Living & Rehabilitation Center	Washington, NC	1.7 mi	2 of 5	128	(252) 946-9570
The Carrolton Of Williamston	Williamston, NC	13 mi	1 of 5	154	(252) 792-1616
Cypress Glen Retirement Community	Greenville, NC	17 mi	5 of 5	6	(252) 830-0036

Straight-line miles from the center of Washington. 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 Washington

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,469 monthly median income of Washington households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Washington: common questions

Which hospices serve Washington?

Medicare lists 10 hospices for Washington ZIP codes, including Amedisys Hospice, Amedisys Hospice Care, Community Hospice LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Washington?

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,469 monthly median income of Washington households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Washington. 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 North Carolina.

More near Washington

More senior care near Washington

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Washington

More for Washington 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 Washington, NC