Respite Care in Fernandina Beach, FL for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Fernandina Beach, FL: the local picture

5,069

residents 65 or older (38% of Fernandina Beach)

74%

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

22%

of residents 65+ report a disability (30% in Nassau County)

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Fernandina Beach ZIP codes

Most older adults in Fernandina Beach live with someone: 74% 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 1,067 Fernandina Beach residents aged 65 or older report a disability (22%) (30% in Nassau County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Fernandina Beach compared with Nassau County and Florida

Census figure	Fernandina Beach	Nassau County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	22%	30%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	26%	22%	25%
Residents 65 or older	38%	24%	21%
Residents 85 or older	3.8%	1.8%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.8%	6.2%	12%
Households with no vehicle	4.3%	3.0%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$97,730	$73,988	—

Older residents in towns around Fernandina Beach

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Yulee, FL	7.2 mi	2,956	41%
St. Marys, GA	10 mi	3,250	33%
Atlantic Beach, FL	22 mi	3,740	27%
Nassau Village-Ratliff, FL	24 mi	1,432	46%
Kingsland, GA	24 mi	2,256	40%
Neptune Beach, FL	24 mi	1,436	14%

Hospices serving Fernandina Beach

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Florida	Jacksonville, FL	26 mi	(904) 740-2310
Heartland Hospice (Jacksonville)	Jacksonville, FL	31 mi	(904) 737-2553
Community Hospice Of Northeast Florida Inc	Jacksonville, FL	33 mi	(904) 268-5200
Hearth Hospice Of Brunswick, LLC	Brunswick, GA	43 mi	(912) 574-5882
Haven Hospice	Gainesville, FL	88 mi	(904) 378-2121

Nursing homes near Fernandina Beach (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Fernandina Beach Rehabilitation And Nursing Center	Fernandina Beach, FL	0.3 mi	4 of 5	120	(904) 261-0771
Senior Care Center - St Marys	Saint Marys, GA	8.1 mi	1 of 5	78	(912) 882-4281
Lanier Rehabilitation Center	Jacksonville, FL	16 mi	3 of 5	120	(904) 757-0600
River City Nursing And Rehab Center	Jacksonville, FL	16 mi	5 of 5	116	(904) 321-1909

Straight-line miles from the center of Fernandina Beach. 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 Fernandina Beach

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 17% of the $8,144 monthly median income of Fernandina Beach 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 Fernandina Beach: common questions

Which hospices serve Fernandina Beach?

Medicare lists 6 hospices for Fernandina Beach ZIP codes, including Hospice Of Florida, Heartland Hospice (Jacksonville), Community Hospice Of Northeast Florida Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Fernandina Beach?

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 17% of the $8,144 monthly median income of Fernandina Beach 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 Fernandina Beach. 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 Fernandina Beach

More senior care near Fernandina Beach

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Fernandina Beach

More for Fernandina Beach 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 Fernandina Beach, FL