Respite Care in Wheaton, MD: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Wheaton, MD: the local picture

7,015

residents 65 or older (13% of Wheaton)

79%

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

19%

of residents 65+ report a disability (26% in Montgomery County)

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Wheaton ZIP codes

Most older adults in Wheaton live with someone: 79% 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 1,309 Wheaton residents aged 65 or older report a disability (19%) (26% in Montgomery County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 10 hospices serving Wheaton ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Wheaton compared with Montgomery County and Maryland

Census figure	Wheaton	Montgomery County	Maryland
Residents 65+ with a disability	19%	26%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	21%	23%	27%
Residents 65 or older	13%	17%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	2.2%	1.9%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	7.4%	9.5%
Households with no vehicle	12%	8.5%	8.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$76,146	$109,242	—

Older residents in towns around Wheaton

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
North Kensington, MD	1.0 mi	1,825	29%
Glenmont, MD	1.6 mi	2,150	24%
Kemp Mill, MD	2.0 mi	2,110	22%
Forest Glen, MD	2.2 mi	1,287	19%
South Kensington, MD	2.3 mi	1,612	33%
Layhill, MD	2.9 mi	1,044	26%

Hospices serving Wheaton

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Holy Cross Home Care And Hospice	Silver Spring, MD	3.4 mi	(301) 557-4663
Capital Hospice	Washington, DC	5.8 mi	(202) 244-8300
Montgomery Hospice & Prince Georges Hospice	Rockville, MD	6.4 mi	(301) 921-4400
Jewish Social Service Agency Hospice	Rockville, MD	6.4 mi	(301) 881-3700
Heartland Hospice (Beltsville)	Beltsville, MD	7.2 mi	(240) 264-1692

Nursing homes near Wheaton (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Montcare At Wheaton	Wheaton, MD	0.3 mi	4 of 5	94	(301) 942-2500
Complete Care At Wheaton	Wheaton, MD	1.2 mi	5 of 5	116	(301) 933-2500
Turtle Creek Rehabilitation And Wellness Center	Kensington, MD	1.2 mi	2 of 5	140	(410) 602-1553
Autumn Lake Healthcare At Oakview	Silver Spring, MD	1.9 mi	4 of 5	138	(301) 565-0300

Straight-line miles from the center of Wheaton. 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 Wheaton

At the Maryland median aide wage of $18.29 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,585 a month in wages, which is 25% of the $6,346 monthly median income of Wheaton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maryland'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 Wheaton: common questions

Which hospices serve Wheaton?

Medicare lists 10 hospices for Wheaton ZIP codes, including Holy Cross Home Care And Hospice, Capital Hospice, Montgomery Hospice & Prince Georges Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Wheaton?

At the Maryland median aide wage of $18.29 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,585 a month in wages, which is 25% of the $6,346 monthly median income of Wheaton households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maryland'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 Wheaton. 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 Maryland.

More near Wheaton

More senior care near Wheaton

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Wheaton

More for Wheaton 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 Wheaton, MD