Respite Care in Worcester, MA: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Worcester, MA: the local picture

27,619

residents 65 or older (13% of Worcester)

67%

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

38%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Worcester County)

25

Medicare-certified hospices serve Worcester ZIP codes

Most older adults in Worcester live with someone: 67% 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 10,015 Worcester residents aged 65 or older report a disability (38%) (32% in Worcester County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 25 hospices serving Worcester ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Worcester compared with Worcester County and Massachusetts

Census figure	Worcester	Worcester County	Massachusetts
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	32%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	27%	29%
Residents 65 or older	13%	17%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	1.9%	2.2%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	17%	10%	11%
Households with no vehicle	16%	8.3%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$46,808	$61,599	—

Older residents in towns around Worcester

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Northborough, MA	8.7 mi	1,399	25%
Spencer, MA	9.6 mi	1,479	43%
Westborough, MA	9.7 mi	790	27%
Oxford, MA	11 mi	971	37%
Upton, MA	12 mi	649	31%
Clinton, MA	12 mi	1,142	30%

Hospices serving Worcester

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Jhc Hospice	Worcester, MA	1.4 mi	(508) 713-0512
Notre Dame Hospice	Worcester, MA	1.7 mi	(508) 852-5505
Ascend Hospice	Worcester, MA	2.0 mi	(508) 229-8390
Vna Care Hospice Inc	Worcester, MA	2.9 mi	(508) 756-7176
Compassus - Greater Western Massachusetts	Auburn, MA	4.7 mi	(508) 845-2379

Nursing homes near Worcester (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
West Side House Ltc Facility	Worcester, MA	0.2 mi	5 of 5	91	(978) 361-5032
Lutheran Rehabilitation And Skilled Care Center	Worcester, MA	0.3 mi	5 of 5	150	(508) 754-8877
St Mary Health Care Center	Worcester, MA	0.9 mi	2 of 5	172	(508) 753-4791
Christopher House Of Worcester	Worcester, MA	1.5 mi	3 of 5	156	(508) 754-3800

Straight-line miles from the center of Worcester. 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 Worcester

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 44% of the $3,901 monthly median income of Worcester 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 Worcester: common questions

Which hospices serve Worcester?

Medicare lists 25 hospices for Worcester ZIP codes, including Jhc Hospice, Notre Dame Hospice, Ascend Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Worcester?

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 44% of the $3,901 monthly median income of Worcester 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 Worcester. 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 Worcester

More senior care near Worcester

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Worcester

More for Worcester 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 Worcester, MA