Respite Care in Fort Myers, FL
A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in Fort Myers for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Fort Myers, FL: the local picture
Most older adults in Fort Myers live with someone: 73% 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 6,817 Fort Myers residents aged 65 or older report a disability (32%) (28% in Lee County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 5 hospices serving Fort Myers ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Fort Myers compared with Lee County and Florida
| Census figure | Fort Myers | Lee County | Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 32% | 28% | 31% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 27% | 22% | 25% |
| Residents 65 or older | 23% | 29% | 21% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.6% | 3.3% | 2.6% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 14% | 10% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 10% | 5.0% | 6.0% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $56,080 | $66,210 | — |
Older residents in towns around Fort Myers
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tice, FL | 3.9 mi | 452 | 52% |
| Pine Manor, FL | 4.3 mi | 437 | 75% |
| Whiskey Creek, FL | 4.9 mi | 1,744 | 36% |
| Lochmoor Waterway Estates, FL | 4.9 mi | 1,938 | 28% |
| Villas, FL | 5.3 mi | 4,022 | 25% |
| Buckingham, FL | 5.5 mi | 1,243 | 24% |
Hospices serving Fort Myers
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hope Hospice And Community Services Inc | Fort Myers, FL | 10 mi | (800) 835-1673 |
| Empath Tidewell Hospice | Sarasota, FL | 59 mi | (941) 552-7500 |
| Lifepath Hospice | Temple Terrace, FL | 103 mi | (813) 877-2200 |
| Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida | Melbourne, FL | 125 mi | (321) 751-6671 |
| Community Hospice Of Northeast Florida Inc | Jacksonville, FL | 247 mi | (904) 268-5200 |
Nursing homes near Fort Myers (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winkler Court | Fort Myers, FL | 0.8 mi | 2 of 5 | 120 | (239) 939-4993 |
| Aspire At Evans | Fort Myers, FL | 2.0 mi | 1 of 5 | 120 | (239) 277-3977 |
| Lee Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit | Fort Myers, FL | 2.5 mi | 5 of 5 | 18 | (239) 343-3390 |
| Page Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center | Fort Myers, FL | 3.1 mi | 2 of 5 | 180 | (239) 931-8401 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Fort Myers. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What respite care costs in Fort Myers
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 30% of the $4,673 monthly median income of Fort Myers 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.
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.
Respite Care in Fort Myers: common questions
Which hospices serve Fort Myers?
Medicare lists 5 hospices for Fort Myers ZIP codes, including Hope Hospice And Community Services Inc, Empath Tidewell Hospice, Lifepath Hospice.
How much does respite care cost in Fort Myers?
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 30% of the $4,673 monthly median income of Fort Myers 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 Fort Myers. 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 senior care near Fort Myers
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Tice, FL
- Respite Care in Pine Manor, FL
- Respite Care in Whiskey Creek, FL
- Respite Care in Lochmoor Waterway Estates, FL
- Respite Care in Villas, FL
- Respite Care in Buckingham, FL
- Respite Care in Gateway, FL
- Respite Care in McGregor, FL
- Respite Care in Suncoast Estates, FL
- Respite Care in North Fort Myers, FL
- Respite Care in Cypress Lake, FL
- Respite Care in Fort Myers Shores, FL
- Respite Care in San Carlos Park, FL
- Respite Care in Cape Coral, FL
- Respite Care in Three Oaks, FL
- Respite Care in Olga, FL
Other care in Fort Myers
- Companion Care in Fort Myers
- Dementia Care in Fort Myers
- Live-In Caregivers in Fort Myers
- Post-Surgery Care in Fort Myers
- Senior Transportation in Fort Myers
- Home Health Aides in Fort Myers
- Nursing Assistants in Fort Myers
- Personal Care in Fort Myers
- Overnight Caregivers in Fort Myers
- 24-Hour Home Care in Fort Myers
- Mobility Assistance in Fort Myers
- Parkinson’s Care in Fort Myers
- Stroke Recovery Support in Fort Myers
- Disability Care for Adults in Fort Myers
- Hospice Support in Fort Myers
- Senior Meal Preparation in Fort Myers
- Senior Housekeeping in Fort Myers
- Medication Reminders in Fort Myers
- Veterans’ Home Care in Fort Myers
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.
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