Hospice Support in Lakeland, FL: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Lakeland, FL: the local picture

12

Medicare-certified hospices serve Lakeland ZIP codes

4,215

residents 85 or older (3.5% of all residents)

33%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (24% in Polk County)

36%

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

Medicare lists 12 hospices whose service area includes Lakeland ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Good Shepherd Hospice in Lakeland (1.2 mi) and Empath Hospice, LLC in Lakeland (1.5 mi).

7,954 Lakeland residents 65 or older live alone (33% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Lakeland compared with Polk County and Florida

Census figure	Lakeland	Polk County	Florida
Residents 85 or older	3.5%	2.1%	2.6%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	24%	25%
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	32%	31%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	7.0%	6.5%	6.4%
Residents 65 or older	22%	20%	21%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	13%	12%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$48,328	$50,939	—

Older residents in towns around Lakeland

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Combee Settlement, FL	3.1 mi	679	42%
Crystal Lake, FL	3.6 mi	630	21%
Fussels Corner, FL	5.7 mi	1,904	32%
Lakeland Highlands, FL	6.8 mi	2,431	18%
Kathleen, FL	6.8 mi	992	16%
Medulla, FL	6.9 mi	1,674	29%

Hospices serving Lakeland

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Good Shepherd Hospice	Lakeland, FL	1.2 mi	(863) 682-0067
Empath Hospice, LLC	Lakeland, FL	1.5 mi	(863) 329-2750
Compassionate Care Hospice Of Central Florida Inc	Lakeland, FL	6.6 mi	(863) 709-0099
Suncoast Hospice Of Hillsborough, LLC	Brandon, FL	23 mi	(813) 561-7300
Lifepath Hospice	Temple Terrace, FL	25 mi	(813) 877-2200
Gulfside Hospice, Inc	Land O Lakes, FL	33 mi	(727) 845-5707

Straight-line miles from the center of Lakeland. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver for hospice support can help with

Comfort, company and a calm presence
Gentle personal care and repositioning
Small meals and fluids as the person wants
Telling the hospice nurse about changes

Cost

What hospice support costs in Lakeland

At the Florida median aide wage of $16.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,408 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $4,027 monthly median income of Lakeland households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.

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 How to get paid to take care of a family member in Florida: SMMC LTC and the PDO.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver for hospice support

Under Medicare, hospice is for someone whose doctors certify a life expectancy of six months or less and who chooses comfort care instead of treatment to cure the illness. Medicare does not cover room and board for hospice care at home (Medicare.gov).

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for someone at the end of life? How do you work with a hospice nurse? Can you sit overnight in the last days if needed? More in our hospice support guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Hospice Support in Lakeland: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Lakeland?

At the Florida median aide wage of $16.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,408 a month in wages, which is 35% of the $4,027 monthly median income of Lakeland households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.

Who qualifies for hospice under Medicare?

Someone whose hospice doctor (and regular doctor, if they have one) certifies a life expectancy of six months or less, and who accepts comfort care instead of curative treatment (Medicare.gov).

More near Lakeland

More senior care near Lakeland

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Lakeland

More for Lakeland 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.

In-Home Hospice Support in Lakeland, FL