Respite Care in West Haven, CT: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in West Haven, CT: the local picture

8,839

residents 65 or older (16% of West Haven)

70%

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

28%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in South Central Connecticut Planning Region)

13

Medicare-certified hospices serve West Haven ZIP codes

Most older adults in West Haven live with someone: 70% 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 2,468 West Haven residents aged 65 or older report a disability (28%) (29% in South Central Connecticut Planning Region). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 13 hospices serving West Haven ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

West Haven compared with South Central Connecticut Planning Region and Connecticut

Census figure	West Haven	South Central Connecticut Planning Region	Connecticut
Residents 65+ with a disability	28%	29%	29%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	30%	30%	29%
Residents 65 or older	16%	19%	19%
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	2.4%	2.4%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	9.2%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	11%	11%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$60,430	$66,432	—

Older residents in towns around West Haven

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Orange, CT	3.1 mi	3,293	24%
New Haven, CT	3.5 mi	15,840	34%
East Haven, CT	5.8 mi	5,689	31%
Milford, CT	6.1 mi	11,105	25%
Derby, CT	7.0 mi	2,632	18%
Ansonia, CT	7.3 mi	3,437	26%

Hospices serving West Haven

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Compassus - Greater Connecticut	Milford, CT	6.2 mi	(203) 301-0489
Connecticut Hospice Inc, The	Branford, CT	8.2 mi	(203) 315-7586
Affinity Care Of Connecticut LLC	Hamden, CT	9.9 mi	(203) 800-9990
Home Care Plus, Inc	Guilford, CT	14 mi	(203) 458-4200
Masonicare Home Health And Hospice Inc	Wallingford, CT	15 mi	(203) 679-5200

Nursing homes near West Haven (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
West Haven Center For Nursing & Rehabilitation	West Haven, CT	0.8 mi	2 of 5	98	(203) 654-2100
Apple Rehab West Haven	West Haven, CT	1.2 mi	1 of 5	90	(203) 932-6411
Orange Health Care Center	Orange, CT	1.6 mi	5 of 5	60	(203) 795-0835
Advanced Center For Nursing & Rehabilitation	New Haven, CT	2.6 mi	1 of 5	226	(203) 789-1650

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

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 32% of the $5,036 monthly median income of West Haven 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 West Haven: common questions

Which hospices serve West Haven?

Medicare lists 13 hospices for West Haven ZIP codes, including Compassus - Greater Connecticut, Connecticut Hospice Inc, The, Affinity Care Of Connecticut LLC.

How much does respite care cost in West Haven?

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 32% of the $5,036 monthly median income of West Haven 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 West Haven. 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 West Haven

More senior care near West Haven

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in West Haven

More for West Haven 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 Haven, CT