Respite Care in Westfield, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Westfield, MA: the local picture

7,534

residents 65 or older (19% of Westfield)

69%

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

26%

of residents 65+ report a disability (35% in Hampden County)

11

Medicare-certified hospices serve Westfield ZIP codes

Most older adults in Westfield live with someone: 69% 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 1,877 Westfield residents aged 65 or older report a disability (26%) (35% in Hampden County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 11 hospices serving Westfield ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Westfield compared with Hampden County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Westfield	Hampden County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	26%	35%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	31%	33%	29%
Residents 65 or older	19%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.6%	2.3%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	10%	15%	11%
Households with no vehicle	8.6%	12%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$62,591	$48,894	—

Older residents in towns around Westfield

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
West Springfield Town, MA	5.5 mi	5,038	30%
Agawam Town, MA	7.4 mi	6,890	32%
Holyoke, MA	7.7 mi	7,606	45%
Easthampton, MA	9.8 mi	3,843	34%
Chicopee, MA	9.9 mi	10,770	37%
Springfield, MA	11 mi	20,464	42%

Hospices serving Westfield

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Baystate Hospice	West Springfield, MA	6.1 mi	(413) 794-6411
Hospice Services Of Western & Central Mass	Feeding Hills, MA	6.2 mi	(413) 786-4004
Hospice Life Care	Holyoke, MA	7.9 mi	(413) 534-5691
Legacy Lifecare Home Health And Hospice Care- West	Longmeadow, MA	11 mi	(978) 471-5146
Beacon Hospice, An Amyedisys Company	Springfield, MA	13 mi	(413) 205-1229

Nursing homes near Westfield (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Vantage At Westfield LLC	Westfield, MA	1.9 mi	2 of 5	98	(413) 729-5018
Westfield Rehabilitation And Health Center	Westfield, MA	3.6 mi	2 of 5	80	(413) 568-2341
Vantage At West Springfield LLC	West Springfield, MA	6.3 mi	3 of 5	168	(413) 733-3151
Mary's Meadow At Providence Place	Holyoke, MA	6.3 mi	5 of 5	40	(413) 420-2500

Straight-line miles from the center of Westfield. 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 Westfield

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 33% of the $5,216 monthly median income of Westfield 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 Westfield: common questions

Which hospices serve Westfield?

Medicare lists 11 hospices for Westfield ZIP codes, including Baystate Hospice, Hospice Services Of Western & Central Mass, Hospice Life Care.

How much does respite care cost in Westfield?

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 33% of the $5,216 monthly median income of Westfield 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 Westfield. 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 Westfield

More senior care near Westfield

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Westfield

More for Westfield 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 Westfield, MA