Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Alachua, FL
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Alachua for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

Nursing Assistants in Alachua, FL: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Alachua are Magnolia Ridge Health And Rehabilitation Center in Gainesville (6.5 mi), Cedar Crest At North Florida in Gainesville (8.0 mi), Palm Garden Of Gainesville in Gainesville (9.3 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.
Aides in Florida earn a median $16.25 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.
Alachua has about 110 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Alachua compared with Alachua County and Florida
| Census figure | Alachua | Alachua County | Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 1.0% | 1.9% | 2.6% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 28% | 32% | 31% |
| Residents 65 or older | 20% | 15% | 21% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 32% | 31% | 25% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 10% | 12% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.4% | 8.4% | 6.0% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $75,318 | $59,422 | — |
Older residents in towns around Alachua
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Springs, FL | 7.3 mi | 1,058 | 126 |
| Gainesville, FL | 9.7 mi | 17,357 | 2,343 |
| Newberry, FL | 11 mi | 1,005 | 23 |
| East Bronson, FL | 22 mi | 339 | 18 |
| Starke, FL | 25 mi | 797 | 127 |
| Williston, FL | 26 mi | 658 | 123 |
Nursing homes near Alachua
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnolia Ridge Health And Rehabilitation Center | Gainesville, FL | 6.5 mi | 4 of 5 | 223 | (678) 592-3396 |
| Cedar Crest At North Florida | Gainesville, FL | 8.0 mi | 1 of 5 | 120 | (352) 331-3111 |
| Palm Garden Of Gainesville | Gainesville, FL | 9.3 mi | 4 of 5 | 150 | (352) 331-0601 |
| Terrace Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center | Gainesville, FL | 9.5 mi | 5 of 5 | 138 | (352) 333-0600 |
| Gainesville Health And Rehabilitation | Gainesville, FL | 11 mi | 1 of 5 | 120 | (352) 377-1981 |
| Plaza Health And Rehab | Gainesville, FL | 12 mi | 5 of 5 | 180 | (352) 376-8821 |
Home health agencies serving Alachua
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aveanna Home Health | Gainesville, FL | 6.5 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (352) 331-3280 |
| Florida Homecare Specialists Inc | Lady Lake, FL | 67 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (352) 753-2206 |
| HCA Florida Healthcare At Home | Gainesville, FL | 12 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (352) 395-6424 |
| Concierge Home Care | The Villages, FL | 65 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (352) 435-0101 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Alachua. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a nursing assistant can help with
- Bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
- Safe transfers, repositioning and walking
- Help with eating and fluids
- Taking and noting vital signs if asked
What CNAs costs in Alachua
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 22% of the $6,277 monthly median income of Alachua 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.
What to know before hiring a nursing assistant
To be certified, a nurse aide completes a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, and passes a competency exam (42 CFR 483.152). The state then lists them on its nurse aide registry, which you can search online in most states.
Questions worth asking: Which state certified you, and is it current? Where have you worked as a CNA? Are you comfortable with lifts, catheters and incontinence care? More in our nursing assistants guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Nursing Assistants in Alachua: common questions
What nursing homes are near Alachua?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Magnolia Ridge Health And Rehabilitation Center in Gainesville (6.5 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Cedar Crest At North Florida in Gainesville (8.0 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Palm Garden Of Gainesville in Gainesville (9.3 mi, 4 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Alachua?
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 22% of the $6,277 monthly median income of Alachua 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.
Can a CNA give medication?
Generally no. A CNA can remind someone to take medication. Giving medication is usually reserved for licensed nurses, or for aides with a separate state medication certification.
More senior care near Alachua
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in High Springs, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Gainesville, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Newberry, FL
- Nursing Assistants in East Bronson, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Starke, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Williston, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Williston Highlands, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Watertown, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Lake City, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Middleburg, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Macclenny, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Rainbow Lakes Estates, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Ocala, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Silver Springs, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Asbury Lake, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Rainbow Springs, FL
Other care in Alachua
- Companion Care in Alachua
- Dementia Care in Alachua
- Respite Care in Alachua
- Live-In Caregivers in Alachua
- Post-Surgery Care in Alachua
- Senior Transportation in Alachua
- Home Health Aides in Alachua
- Personal Care in Alachua
- Overnight Caregivers in Alachua
- 24-Hour Home Care in Alachua
- Mobility Assistance in Alachua
- Parkinson’s Care in Alachua
- Stroke Recovery Support in Alachua
- Disability Care for Adults in Alachua
- Hospice Support in Alachua
- Senior Meal Preparation in Alachua
- Senior Housekeeping in Alachua
- Medication Reminders in Alachua
- Veterans’ Home Care in Alachua
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.
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