Respite Care in Winchester, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Winchester, MA: the local picture

4,207

residents 65 or older (18% of Winchester)

73%

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

26%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in Middlesex County)

15

Medicare-certified hospices serve Winchester ZIP codes

Most older adults in Winchester live with someone: 73% 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 1,026 Winchester residents aged 65 or older report a disability (26%) (28% in Middlesex County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 15 hospices serving Winchester ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Winchester compared with Middlesex County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Winchester	Middlesex County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	26%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	27%	28%	29%
Residents 65 or older	18%	16%	18%
Residents 85 or older	2.9%	2.0%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.8%	9.2%	11%
Households with no vehicle	5.1%	10%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$129,000	$78,342	—

Older residents in towns around Winchester

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Woburn, MA	2.5 mi	6,588	34%
Arlington, MA	2.6 mi	8,030	25%
Medford, MA	2.7 mi	9,028	31%
Stoneham, MA	2.8 mi	4,755	32%
Melrose, MA	4.4 mi	6,106	27%
Belmont, MA	4.4 mi	5,235	25%

Hospices serving Winchester

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Compassionate Care Hospice	Woburn, MA	2.2 mi	(781) 935-5550
Visiting Nurse & Community Care	Arlington, MA	2.3 mi	(781) 643-6090
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Charlestown, MA	6.6 mi	(617) 242-4872
All Care Hospice Inc	Lynn, MA	10 mi	(781) 586-1608
Brighton Hospice Massachusetts, LLC	Newton, MA	10 mi	(801) 996-3217

Nursing homes near Winchester (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Winchester Rehabilitation And Nursing Center	Winchester, MA	0.1 mi	5 of 5	121	(781) 729-9595
Aberjona Rehabilitation And Nursing Center	Winchester, MA	0.1 mi	5 of 5	123	(781) 994-1678
Woburn Rehabilitation And Nursing Center	Woburn, MA	2.3 mi	2 of 5	140	(781) 933-8175
Park Avenue Health Center	Arlington, MA	2.3 mi	1 of 5	89	(781) 648-9530

Straight-line miles from the center of Winchester. 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 Winchester

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 16% of the $10,750 monthly median income of Winchester 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 Winchester: common questions

Which hospices serve Winchester?

Medicare lists 15 hospices for Winchester ZIP codes, including Compassionate Care Hospice, Visiting Nurse & Community Care, Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company.

How much does respite care cost in Winchester?

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 16% of the $10,750 monthly median income of Winchester 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 Winchester. 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 Winchester

More senior care near Winchester

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Winchester

More for Winchester 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 Winchester, MA