Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Merritt Island, FL
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Merritt Island for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Merritt Island, FL: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Merritt Island are The Terrace At Courtenay Springs in Merritt Island (2.2 mi), Sunrise Point Health And Rehabilitation Center in Rockledge (3.8 mi), Rockledge Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Rockledge (4.0 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.
Merritt Island has about 1,135 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Merritt Island compared with Brevard County and Florida
| Census figure | Merritt Island | Brevard County | Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 3.2% | 3.0% | 2.6% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 35% | 33% | 31% |
| Residents 65 or older | 28% | 24% | 21% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 20% | 26% | 25% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 7.2% | 8.1% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.0% | 4.9% | 6.0% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $75,371 | $58,980 | — |
Older residents in towns around Merritt Island
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cocoa Beach, FL | 3.3 mi | 4,128 | 651 |
| Rockledge, FL | 3.9 mi | 7,233 | 968 |
| Viera East, FL | 4.0 mi | 3,985 | 636 |
| Viera West, FL | 5.9 mi | 4,051 | 543 |
| Cocoa West, FL | 6.7 mi | 859 | 70 |
| Cocoa, FL | 7.1 mi | 4,259 | 566 |
Nursing homes near Merritt Island
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Terrace At Courtenay Springs | Merritt Island, FL | 2.2 mi | 3 of 5 | 80 | (321) 452-1233 |
| Sunrise Point Health And Rehabilitation Center | Rockledge, FL | 3.8 mi | 1 of 5 | 100 | (321) 632-7341 |
| Rockledge Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center | Rockledge, FL | 4.0 mi | 2 of 5 | 107 | (321) 632-6300 |
| Viera Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center | Viera, FL | 5.3 mi | 3 of 5 | 114 | (321) 752-1000 |
| Space Coast Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center | Merritt Island, FL | 5.4 mi | 1 of 5 | 120 | (321) 453-0202 |
| Solaris Healthcare Merritt Island | Merritt Island, FL | 5.8 mi | 5 of 5 | 180 | (321) 454-4035 |
Home health agencies serving Merritt Island
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trilogy Home Healthcare | Orlando, FL | 40 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (407) 259-2272 |
| Nhc Homecare | Merritt Island, FL | 6.4 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (321) 459-9111 |
| Centerwell Home Health | Melbourne, FL | 7.1 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (321) 255-9995 |
| HCA Florida Healthcare At Home | Melbourne, FL | 7.1 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (321) 984-0223 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Merritt Island. 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 Merritt Island
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 $6,281 monthly median income of Merritt Island 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 Merritt Island: common questions
What nursing homes are near Merritt Island?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are The Terrace At Courtenay Springs in Merritt Island (2.2 mi, 3 of 5 overall); Sunrise Point Health And Rehabilitation Center in Rockledge (3.8 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Rockledge Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Rockledge (4.0 mi, 2 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Merritt Island?
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 $6,281 monthly median income of Merritt Island 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 Merritt Island
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Cocoa Beach, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Rockledge, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Viera East, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Viera West, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Cocoa West, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Cocoa, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Cape Canaveral, FL
- Nursing Assistants in South Patrick Shores, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Satellite Beach, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Sharpes, FL
- Nursing Assistants in North Merritt Island, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Indian Harbour Beach, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Melbourne, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Port St. John, FL
- Nursing Assistants in June Park, FL
- Nursing Assistants in Indialantic, FL
Other care in Merritt Island
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.
Find CNAs in Merritt Island
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