Respite Care in Westerly, RI: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Westerly, RI: the local picture

4,633

residents 65 or older (25% of Westerly)

72%

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

21%

of residents 65+ report a disability (25% in Washington County)

9

Medicare-certified hospices serve Westerly ZIP codes

Most older adults in Westerly live with someone: 72% 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 935 Westerly residents aged 65 or older report a disability (21%) (25% in Washington County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Westerly compared with Washington County and Rhode Island

Census figure	Westerly	Washington County	Rhode Island
Residents 65+ with a disability	21%	25%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	28%	26%	30%
Residents 65 or older	25%	23%	19%
Residents 85 or older	4.0%	2.2%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.4%	5.4%	11%
Households with no vehicle	7.1%	4.4%	9.1%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$71,662	$83,580	—

Older residents in towns around Westerly

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Pawcatuck, CT	2.6 mi	1,283	29%
Mystic, CT	7.8 mi	1,727	27%
Old Mystic, CT	9.3 mi	691	33%
Conning Towers-Nautilus Park, CT	13 mi	621	56%
Groton, CT	14 mi	1,537	35%
New London, CT	15 mi	4,148	40%

Hospices serving Westerly

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Continuum Care Hospice	West Warwick, RI	27 mi	(401) 321-8101
Harmony Hospice Care LLC	Warwick, RI	29 mi	(401) 252-5700
Accentcare Hospice & Palliative Care Of Rhode Island, LLC	Warwick, RI	29 mi	(401) 200-8211
Vna Of Care New England	Warwick, RI	29 mi	(401) 737-6050
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	East Providence, RI	38 mi	(401) 438-0008

Nursing homes near Westerly (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Royal Of Westerly Nursing Center	Westerly, RI	1.4 mi	4 of 5	66	(401) 596-4925
Westerly Health Center	Westerly, RI	1.5 mi	3 of 5	120	(401) 348-0020
Apple Rehab Clipper	Westerly, RI	2.0 mi	4 of 5	60	(401) 322-8081
Avalon Health Care Center At Stoneridge	Mystic, CT	7.4 mi	5 of 5	40	(860) 572-5623

Straight-line miles from the center of Westerly. 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 Westerly

At the Rhode Island median aide wage of $21.00 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,820 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $5,972 monthly median income of Westerly households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Rhode Island's minimum wage is $16.00 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 Westerly: common questions

Which hospices serve Westerly?

Medicare lists 9 hospices for Westerly ZIP codes, including Continuum Care Hospice, Harmony Hospice Care LLC, Accentcare Hospice & Palliative Care Of Rhode Island, LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Westerly?

At the Rhode Island median aide wage of $21.00 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,820 a month in wages, which is 30% of the $5,972 monthly median income of Westerly households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Rhode Island's minimum wage is $16.00 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 Westerly. 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 Rhode Island.

More near Westerly

More senior care near Westerly

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Westerly

More for Westerly 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 Westerly, RI