Respite Care in Alachua, FL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Alachua, FL: the local picture

2,107

residents 65 or older (20% of Alachua)

68%

of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver

28%

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

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Alachua ZIP codes

Most older adults in Alachua live with someone: 68% of residents 65 and older in households do. When one of them needs care, the person they live with usually provides most of it, and respite is what keeps that sustainable.

About 593 Alachua residents aged 65 or older report a disability (28%) (32% in Alachua County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 4 hospices serving Alachua ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Alachua compared with Alachua County and Florida

Census figure	Alachua	Alachua County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	28%	32%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	31%	25%
Residents 65 or older	20%	15%	21%
Residents 85 or older	1.0%	1.9%	2.6%
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+	65+ with a disability
High Springs, FL	7.3 mi	1,058	49%
Gainesville, FL	9.7 mi	17,357	35%
Newberry, FL	11 mi	1,005	28%
East Bronson, FL	22 mi	339	41%
Starke, FL	25 mi	797	27%
Williston, FL	26 mi	658	44%

Hospices serving Alachua

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Haven Hospice	Gainesville, FL	6.5 mi	(904) 378-2121
Community Hospice Of Northeast Florida Inc	Jacksonville, FL	60 mi	(904) 268-5200
Hph Hospice	Brooksville, FL	84 mi	(866) 940-0962
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida	Melbourne, FL	155 mi	(321) 751-6671

Nursing homes near Alachua (ask about short stays)

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

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 it covers

What a respite caregiver can help with

Taking over the usual routine while you are away
Meals, medication reminders and personal care
Company and activities
Overnight cover for a weekend or a trip

Cost

What respite care 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.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a respite caregiver

Family caregivers carry most long-term care in the U.S., and burnout is a common reason a home arrangement breaks down. The federal National Family Caregiver Support Program funds respite through local Area Agencies on Aging, and the ARCH National Respite Locator lists respite programs by state.

Questions worth asking: Can you do a short paid visit first, while I am home? Are you available at short notice if I am ill? Can you stay overnight, and what do you charge for it? More in our respite care guide.

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

Questions

Respite Care in Alachua: common questions

Which hospices serve Alachua?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for Alachua ZIP codes, including Haven Hospice, Community Hospice Of Northeast Florida Inc, Hph Hospice.

How much does respite care 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.

Does Medicaid or Medicare pay for respite care?

Medicare pays for short inpatient respite stays only for people on its hospice benefit (Medicare.gov); the hospices on this page serve Alachua. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide How to get paid to take care of a family member in Florida: SMMC LTC and the PDO covers Florida.

More near Alachua

More senior care near Alachua

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Alachua

More for Alachua 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.

Respite Care in Alachua, FL