Respite Care in West Dennis, MA for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in West Dennis, MA: the local picture

1,092

residents 65 or older (43% of West Dennis)

74%

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

31%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Barnstable County)

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve West Dennis ZIP codes

Most older adults in West Dennis live with someone: 74% 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 335 West Dennis residents aged 65 or older report a disability (31%) (27% in Barnstable County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 4 hospices serving West Dennis ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

West Dennis compared with Barnstable County and Massachusetts

Census figure	West Dennis	Barnstable County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	31%	27%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	26%	28%	29%
Residents 65 or older	43%	33%	18%
Residents 85 or older	6.0%	4.1%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	6.8%	11%
Households with no vehicle	4.0%	5.4%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$83,092	$76,945	—

Older residents in towns around West Dennis

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Dennis Port, MA	1.5 mi	1,060	36%
South Yarmouth, MA	1.8 mi	3,735	29%
South Dennis, MA	2.7 mi	1,122	24%
Northwest Harwich, MA	3.6 mi	1,445	14%
Yarmouth Port, MA	4.0 mi	2,429	26%
West Yarmouth, MA	4.5 mi	2,215	26%

Hospices serving West Dennis

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Visiting Nurse Association Of Cape Cod Hospice	Hyannis, MA	6.8 mi	(508) 957-7710
Broad Reach Hospice	Chatham, MA	10 mi	(508) 945-4601
Continuum Care Of Mass, LLC	Fall River, MA	50 mi	(434) 977-9715
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Charlestown, MA	67 mi	(617) 242-4872

Nursing homes near West Dennis (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Windsor Nursing & Retirement Home	South Yarmouth, MA	1.3 mi	2 of 5	120	(508) 394-3514
Mayflower Place Nursing & Rehabilitation Center	West Yarmouth, MA	4.7 mi	2 of 5	72	(413) 544-3329
Regalcare At Harwich	Harwich, MA	4.9 mi	3 of 5	135	(508) 430-1717
Pavilion, The	Hyannis, MA	8.0 mi	5 of 5	82	(508) 775-6663

Straight-line miles from the center of West Dennis. 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 West Dennis

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 25% of the $6,924 monthly median income of West Dennis 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 West Dennis: common questions

Which hospices serve West Dennis?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for West Dennis ZIP codes, including Visiting Nurse Association Of Cape Cod Hospice, Broad Reach Hospice, Continuum Care Of Mass, LLC.

How much does respite care cost in West Dennis?

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 25% of the $6,924 monthly median income of West Dennis 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 West Dennis. 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 West Dennis

More senior care near West Dennis

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in West Dennis

More for West Dennis 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 West Dennis, MA