Ocala, Florida

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Ocala, FL

Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Ocala for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

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Local figures

Nursing Assistants in Ocala, FL: the local picture

6+
Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles
892
certified beds in the 6 nearest nursing homes
$16.25
median hourly wage of home care aides in Florida (BLS, May 2025)
$15.00
Florida minimum wage per hour

The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Ocala are Avante At Ocala, Inc in Ocala (1.1 mi), The Lodge Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center in Ocala (1.3 mi), Ocala Health And Rehabilitation Center in Ocala (1.9 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.

Ocala has about 2,166 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.

Ocala compared with Marion County and Florida

Census figureOcalaMarion CountyFlorida
Residents 85 or older3.3%3.3%2.6%
Residents 65+ with a disability41%31%31%
Residents 65 or older20%29%21%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone38%26%25%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)14%11%12%
Households with no vehicle8.9%4.8%6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$47,246$50,800—

Older residents in towns around Ocala

TownDistanceResidents 65+Residents 85+
Silver Springs, FL6.4 mi51759
Liberty Triangle, FL8.1 mi10,3861,913
Silver Springs Shores, FL9.4 mi4,685803
On Top of the World, FL9.6 mi12,662963
Belleview, FL9.9 mi1,298132
Marion Oaks, FL12 mi3,257478

Nursing homes near Ocala

Nursing homeTownDistanceCMS overall ratingCertified bedsPhone
Avante At Ocala, IncOcala, FL1.1 mi1 of 5133(352) 732-0042
The Lodge Healthcare And Rehabilitation CenterOcala, FL1.3 mi4 of 599(352) 629-7921
Ocala Health And Rehabilitation CenterOcala, FL1.9 mi4 of 5180(352) 732-2449
Palm Garden Of OcalaOcala, FL2.0 mi4 of 5180(352) 854-6262
Aviata At Arbor SpringsOcala, FL2.2 mi2 of 5180(352) 629-8900
Life Care Center Of OcalaOcala, FL2.4 mi5 of 5120(352) 873-7570

Home health agencies serving Ocala

AgencyOfficeDistanceCMS quality starsServices listedPhone
Centerwell Home HealthOcala, FL1.8 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(352) 402-0660
Trilogy Home HealthcareOcala, FL3.8 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(352) 236-6095
Amedisys Home HealthThe Villages, FL20 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(352) 391-1416
Florida Homecare Specialists IncLady Lake, FL22 mi4.5 of 5nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides(352) 753-2206

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

What it covers

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
Cost

What CNAs costs in Ocala

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 36% of the $3,937 monthly median income of Ocala 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 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.

Questions

Nursing Assistants in Ocala: common questions

What nursing homes are near Ocala?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Avante At Ocala, Inc in Ocala (1.1 mi, 1 of 5 overall); The Lodge Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center in Ocala (1.3 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Ocala Health And Rehabilitation Center in Ocala (1.9 mi, 4 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does CNAs cost in Ocala?

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 36% of the $3,937 monthly median income of Ocala 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.

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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