Respite Care in Fellsmere, FL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Fellsmere, FL: the local picture

438

residents 65 or older (8.8% of Fellsmere)

76%

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

33%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Indian River County)

3

Medicare-certified hospices serve Fellsmere ZIP codes

Most older adults in Fellsmere live with someone: 76% 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 144 Fellsmere residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (29% in Indian River County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 3 hospices serving Fellsmere ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Fellsmere compared with Indian River County and Florida

Census figure	Fellsmere	Indian River County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	29%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	24%	25%	25%
Residents 65 or older	8.8%	35%	21%
Residents 85 or older	0.3%	4.8%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	3.9%	8.3%	12%
Households with no vehicle	5.5%	4.6%	6.0%

Older residents in towns around Fellsmere

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Vero Lake Estates, FL	5.3 mi	1,108	47%
Sebastian, FL	8.8 mi	9,665	32%
West Vero Corridor, FL	9.8 mi	5,836	33%
Micco, FL	11 mi	5,460	33%
Winter Beach, FL	11 mi	1,825	17%
Gifford, FL	12 mi	560	34%

Hospices serving Fellsmere

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Vna Hospice Of Indian River County Inc	Vero Beach, FL	14 mi	(772) 567-5551
Hospice Of Health First Inc	West Melbourne, FL	24 mi	(321) 434-1744
Mederi Caretenders Hospice	Viera, FL	34 mi	(321) 253-2222

Nursing homes near Fellsmere (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Willowbrooke Court At Indian River Estates	Vero Beach, FL	9.1 mi	5 of 5	40	(772) 562-8700
Palm Garden Of Vero Beach	Vero Beach, FL	13 mi	3 of 5	189	(772) 567-2443
Sea Breeze Rehab And Nursing Center	Vero Beach, FL	14 mi	1 of 5	110	(772) 567-2552
Vero Beach Care Center	Vero Beach, FL	14 mi	2 of 5	159	(772) 569-5107

Straight-line miles from the center of Fellsmere. 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 Fellsmere

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. 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 Fellsmere: common questions

Which hospices serve Fellsmere?

Medicare lists 3 hospices for Fellsmere ZIP codes, including Vna Hospice Of Indian River County Inc, Hospice Of Health First Inc, Mederi Caretenders Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Fellsmere?

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. 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 Fellsmere. 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 Fellsmere

More senior care near Fellsmere

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Fellsmere

More for Fellsmere 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 Fellsmere, FL