Respite Care in Waterford, CT: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Waterford, CT: the local picture

765

residents 65 or older (23% of Waterford)

60%

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

29%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region)

9

Medicare-certified hospices serve Waterford ZIP codes

Most older adults in Waterford live with someone: 60% 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 203 Waterford residents aged 65 or older report a disability (29%) (32% in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 9 hospices serving Waterford ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Waterford compared with Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region and Connecticut

Census figure	Waterford	Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region	Connecticut
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	32%	29%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	28%	29%
Residents 65 or older	23%	20%	19%
Residents 85 or older	3.1%	2.3%	2.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	7.7%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	14%	7.4%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$48,671	$69,955	—

Older residents in towns around Waterford

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
New London, CT	2.0 mi	4,148	40%
Groton, CT	3.6 mi	1,537	35%
Niantic, CT	4.2 mi	1,106	28%
Conning Towers-Nautilus Park, CT	4.5 mi	621	56%
Oxoboxo River, CT	6.8 mi	674	44%
Old Mystic, CT	7.9 mi	691	33%

Hospices serving Waterford

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Home Care Plus, Inc	Guilford, CT	30 mi	(203) 458-4200
Middlesex Health Care At Home & Hospice Program	Middletown, CT	31 mi	(860) 358-5600
Connecticut Hospice Inc, The	Branford, CT	36 mi	(203) 315-7586
Masonicare Home Health And Hospice Inc	Wallingford, CT	37 mi	(203) 679-5200
Hartford Healthcare At Home	East Hartford, CT	39 mi	(860) 249-4862

Nursing homes near Waterford (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
New London Sub-Acute And Nursing	Waterford, CT	0.2 mi	1 of 5	120	(860) 442-0471
Harbor Village North Health And Rehabilitation Cen	New London, CT	1.2 mi	1 of 5	128	(860) 447-1416
Beechwood Health & Rehabilitation Center	New London, CT	1.6 mi	4 of 5	60	(860) 442-4363
Civita Care Bayview	Waterford, CT	2.3 mi	1 of 5	127	(860) 444-1175

Straight-line miles from the center of Waterford. 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 Waterford

At the Connecticut median aide wage of $18.75 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,625 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $4,056 monthly median income of Waterford households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Connecticut's minimum wage is $16.94 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 Waterford: common questions

Which hospices serve Waterford?

Medicare lists 9 hospices for Waterford ZIP codes, including Home Care Plus, Inc, Middlesex Health Care At Home & Hospice Program, Connecticut Hospice Inc, The.

How much does respite care cost in Waterford?

At the Connecticut median aide wage of $18.75 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,625 a month in wages, which is 40% of the $4,056 monthly median income of Waterford households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Connecticut's minimum wage is $16.94 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 Waterford. 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 Connecticut.

More near Waterford

More senior care near Waterford

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Waterford

More for Waterford 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 Waterford, CT