Respite Care in Cocoa, FL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Cocoa, FL: the local picture

4,259

residents 65 or older (22% of Cocoa)

63%

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

37%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Brevard County)

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Cocoa ZIP codes

Most older adults in Cocoa live with someone: 63% 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 1,566 Cocoa residents aged 65 or older report a disability (37%) (33% in Brevard County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 6 hospices serving Cocoa ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Cocoa compared with Brevard County and Florida

Census figure	Cocoa	Brevard County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	37%	33%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	26%	25%
Residents 65 or older	22%	24%	21%
Residents 85 or older	2.9%	3.0%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.1%	8.1%	12%
Households with no vehicle	10%	4.9%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,365	$58,980	—

Older residents in towns around Cocoa

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Cocoa West, FL	1.3 mi	859	36%
Rockledge, FL	4.1 mi	7,233	34%
Sharpes, FL	4.6 mi	607	51%
North Merritt Island, FL	6.6 mi	2,520	35%
Merritt Island, FL	7.1 mi	9,659	35%
Port St. John, FL	7.4 mi	4,405	38%

Hospices serving Cocoa

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Mederi Caretenders Hospice	Viera, FL	13 mi	(321) 253-2222
St. Francis Hospice	Titusville, FL	14 mi	(321) 269-4240
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida	Melbourne, FL	17 mi	(321) 751-6671
Hospice Of Health First Inc	West Melbourne, FL	22 mi	(321) 434-1744
Amedisys Hospice Of Brevard	Melbourne, FL	23 mi	(321) 549-0275

Nursing homes near Cocoa (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Rockledge Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center	Rockledge, FL	3.5 mi	2 of 5	107	(321) 632-6300
Solaris Healthcare Merritt Island	Merritt Island, FL	3.5 mi	5 of 5	180	(321) 454-4035
Space Coast Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center	Merritt Island, FL	3.6 mi	1 of 5	120	(321) 453-0202
Sunrise Point Health And Rehabilitation Center	Rockledge, FL	3.9 mi	1 of 5	100	(321) 632-7341

Straight-line miles from the center of Cocoa. 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 Cocoa

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 40% of the $3,530 monthly median income of Cocoa 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 Cocoa: common questions

Which hospices serve Cocoa?

Medicare lists 6 hospices for Cocoa ZIP codes, including Mederi Caretenders Hospice, St. Francis Hospice, Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida.

How much does respite care cost in Cocoa?

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 40% of the $3,530 monthly median income of Cocoa 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 Cocoa. 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 Cocoa

More senior care near Cocoa

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Cocoa

More for Cocoa 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 Cocoa, FL