Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Mary Esther, FL
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Mary Esther for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Mary Esther, FL: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Mary Esther are Emerald Coast Center in Fort Walton Beach (3.2 mi), Westwood Nursing And Rehabilitation Center in Fort Walton Beach (3.4 mi), Fort Walton Rehabilitation Center, LLC in Fort Walton Beach (3.7 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.
Mary Esther has about 153 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Mary Esther compared with Okaloosa County and Florida
| Census figure | Mary Esther | Okaloosa County | Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 3.8% | 1.7% | 2.6% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 48% | 35% | 31% |
| Residents 65 or older | 22% | 17% | 21% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 16% | 23% | 25% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 7.3% | 8.0% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.3% | 3.6% | 6.0% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $65,417 | $72,832 | — |
Older residents in towns around Mary Esther
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Walton Beach, FL | 2.4 mi | 4,152 | 452 |
| Wright, FL | 2.5 mi | 3,854 | 398 |
| Ocean City, FL | 3.6 mi | 828 | 134 |
| Hurlburt Field, FL | 3.7 mi | 0 | 0 |
| Lake Lorraine, FL | 5.9 mi | 1,214 | 124 |
| Eglin AFB, FL | 7.3 mi | 73 | 0 |
Nursing homes near Mary Esther
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Coast Center | Fort Walton Beach, FL | 3.2 mi | 4 of 5 | 120 | (850) 243-6134 |
| Westwood Nursing And Rehabilitation Center | Fort Walton Beach, FL | 3.4 mi | 4 of 5 | 60 | (850) 863-5174 |
| Fort Walton Rehabilitation Center, LLC | Fort Walton Beach, FL | 3.7 mi | 5 of 5 | 120 | (850) 863-2066 |
| Destination Health And Rehabilitation Center | Destin, FL | 11 mi | 5 of 5 | 119 | (850) 654-4588 |
| Manor At Blue Water Bay, The | Niceville, FL | 15 mi | 5 of 5 | 120 | (850) 897-5592 |
| Grand Boulevard Health And Rehabilitation Center | Miramar Beach, FL | 21 mi | 4 of 5 | 97 | (850) 267-2887 |
Home health agencies serving Mary Esther
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health | Shalimar, FL | 5.7 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (850) 862-3240 |
| Stat Home Health Florida Panhandle LLC | Pensacola, FL | 34 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (850) 857-1889 |
| Peoples Home Health LLC | Pensacola, FL | 34 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (850) 696-0911 |
| Amedisys Home Health | Pensacola, FL | 33 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | — |
Straight-line miles from the center of Mary Esther. 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 Mary Esther
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 26% of the $5,451 monthly median income of Mary Esther 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 Mary Esther: common questions
What nursing homes are near Mary Esther?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Emerald Coast Center in Fort Walton Beach (3.2 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Westwood Nursing And Rehabilitation Center in Fort Walton Beach (3.4 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Fort Walton Rehabilitation Center, LLC in Fort Walton Beach (3.7 mi, 5 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Mary Esther?
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 26% of the $5,451 monthly median income of Mary Esther 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 Mary Esther
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Fort Walton Beach, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Wright, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Ocean City, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Hurlburt Field, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Lake Lorraine, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Eglin AFB, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Valparaiso, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Destin, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Niceville, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Navarre, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Miramar Beach, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Woodlawn Beach, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Midway, FL
- Nursing Assistants in East Milton, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Tiger Point, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Crestview, FL
Other care in Mary Esther
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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