Respite Care in Fort Pierce, 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 Pierce for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Fort Pierce, FL: the local picture
Most older adults in Fort Pierce live with someone: 67% 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 2,862 Fort Pierce residents aged 65 or older report a disability (29%) (32% in St. Lucie County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 8 hospices serving Fort Pierce ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Fort Pierce compared with St. Lucie County and Florida
| Census figure | Fort Pierce | St. Lucie County | Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 29% | 32% | 31% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 33% | 22% | 25% |
| Residents 65 or older | 21% | 25% | 21% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.7% | 2.7% | 2.6% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 20% | 10% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 11% | 4.4% | 6.0% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $40,458 | $57,692 | — |
Older residents in towns around Fort Pierce
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Pierce South, FL | 1.3 mi | 981 | 42% |
| Fort Pierce North, FL | 3.5 mi | 1,429 | 38% |
| White City, FL | 3.7 mi | 2,183 | 42% |
| Indian River Estates, FL | 5.6 mi | 1,959 | 32% |
| River Park, FL | 7.2 mi | 1,494 | 34% |
| Lakewood Park, FL | 8.3 mi | 3,741 | 31% |
Hospices serving Fort Pierce
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treasure Coast Hospice Of St Lucie | Fort Pierce, FL | 1.9 mi | (772) 403-4500 |
| Vna Hospice Of Indian River County Inc | Vero Beach, FL | 15 mi | (772) 567-5551 |
| Treasure Coast Hospice Of Martin | Stuart, FL | 21 mi | (772) 403-4500 |
| Hospice Of Okeechobee Incorporated | Okeechobee, FL | 34 mi | (813) 467-2321 |
| Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida | Melbourne, FL | 54 mi | (321) 751-6671 |
Nursing homes near Fort Pierce (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aviata At Saint Lucie | Fort Pierce, FL | 1.1 mi | 1 of 5 | 171 | (772) 464-5262 |
| Sandgate Gardens Rehab And Nursing Center | Fort Pierce, FL | 1.3 mi | 2 of 5 | 107 | (772) 466-3322 |
| Vivo Healthcare Fort Pierce | Fort Pierce, FL | 1.3 mi | 3 of 5 | 79 | (772) 465-7560 |
| Port St Lucie Rehabilitation And Healthcare | Port Saint Lucie, FL | 5.8 mi | 3 of 5 | 180 | (561) 766-4100 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Fort Pierce. 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 Pierce
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 42% of the $3,372 monthly median income of Fort Pierce 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 Pierce: common questions
Which hospices serve Fort Pierce?
Medicare lists 8 hospices for Fort Pierce ZIP codes, including Treasure Coast Hospice Of St Lucie, Vna Hospice Of Indian River County Inc, Treasure Coast Hospice Of Martin.
How much does respite care cost in Fort Pierce?
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 42% of the $3,372 monthly median income of Fort Pierce 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 Pierce. 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 Pierce
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Fort Pierce South, FL
- Respite Care in Fort Pierce North, FL
- Respite Care in White City, FL
- Respite Care in Indian River Estates, FL
- Respite Care in River Park, FL
- Respite Care in Lakewood Park, FL
- Respite Care in South Beach, FL
- Respite Care in Port St. Lucie, FL
- Respite Care in Florida Ridge, FL
- Respite Care in Hutchinson Island South, FL
- Respite Care in Vero Beach South, FL
- Respite Care in Jensen Beach, FL
- Respite Care in North River Shores, FL
- Respite Care in Vero Beach, FL
- Respite Care in West Vero Corridor, FL
- Respite Care in Stuart, FL
Other care in Fort Pierce
- Companion Care in Fort Pierce
- Dementia Care in Fort Pierce
- Live-In Caregivers in Fort Pierce
- Post-Surgery Care in Fort Pierce
- Senior Transportation in Fort Pierce
- Home Health Aides in Fort Pierce
- Nursing Assistants in Fort Pierce
- Personal Care in Fort Pierce
- Overnight Caregivers in Fort Pierce
- 24-Hour Home Care in Fort Pierce
- Mobility Assistance in Fort Pierce
- Parkinson’s Care in Fort Pierce
- Stroke Recovery Support in Fort Pierce
- Disability Care for Adults in Fort Pierce
- Hospice Support in Fort Pierce
- Senior Meal Preparation in Fort Pierce
- Senior Housekeeping in Fort Pierce
- Medication Reminders in Fort Pierce
- Veterans’ Home Care in Fort Pierce
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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