Respite Care in Clearwater, FL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Clearwater, FL: the local picture

28,231

residents 65 or older (24% of Clearwater)

68%

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

31%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Pinellas County)

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Clearwater ZIP codes

Most older adults in Clearwater 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 8,328 Clearwater residents aged 65 or older report a disability (31%) (31% in Pinellas County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 8 hospices serving Clearwater ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Clearwater compared with Pinellas County and Florida

Census figure	Clearwater	Pinellas County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	31%	31%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	32%	25%
Residents 65 or older	24%	26%	21%
Residents 85 or older	3.8%	3.5%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	12%	12%
Households with no vehicle	8.9%	6.9%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$52,526	$54,353	—

Older residents in towns around Clearwater

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Belleair, FL	3.9 mi	1,770	20%
Dunedin, FL	4.3 mi	12,733	29%
Safety Harbor, FL	4.8 mi	4,108	31%
Largo, FL	4.9 mi	23,099	34%
South Highpoint, FL	5.9 mi	641	49%
Harbor Bluffs, FL	6.0 mi	724	22%

Hospices serving Clearwater

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Accentcare Hospice & Palliative Care Of Pinellas C	Clearwater, FL	2.6 mi	(727) 270-9800
Suncoast Hospice	Palm Harbor, FL	7.8 mi	(727) 467-7423
Accent Care Hospice & Palliative Care Of Hillsboro	Tampa, FL	17 mi	(813) 607-2630
Lifepath Hospice	Temple Terrace, FL	25 mi	(813) 877-2200
Gulfside Hospice, Inc	Land O Lakes, FL	26 mi	(727) 845-5707

Nursing homes near Clearwater (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Aviata At Sand Key	Clearwater, FL	1.2 mi	2 of 5	120	(727) 443-1588
Kensington Gardens Rehab And Nursing Center	Clearwater, FL	1.2 mi	1 of 5	150	(727) 461-6613
Clearwater Center	Clearwater, FL	1.6 mi	1 of 5	109	(727) 443-7639
Highland Pines Rehabilitation Center	Clearwater, FL	1.8 mi	1 of 5	115	(727) 446-0581

Straight-line miles from the center of Clearwater. 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 Clearwater

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 32% of the $4,377 monthly median income of Clearwater 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 Clearwater: common questions

Which hospices serve Clearwater?

Medicare lists 8 hospices for Clearwater ZIP codes, including Accentcare Hospice & Palliative Care Of Pinellas C, Suncoast Hospice, Accent Care Hospice & Palliative Care Of Hillsboro.

How much does respite care cost in Clearwater?

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 32% of the $4,377 monthly median income of Clearwater 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 Clearwater. 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 Clearwater

More senior care near Clearwater

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Clearwater

More for Clearwater 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 Clearwater, FL