Respite Care in Fort Pierce South, FL for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Fort Pierce South, FL: the local picture

981

residents 65 or older (20% of Fort Pierce South)

63%

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

42%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in St. Lucie County)

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Fort Pierce South ZIP codes

Most older adults in Fort Pierce South 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 397 Fort Pierce South residents aged 65 or older report a disability (42%) (32% in St. Lucie County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 4 hospices serving Fort Pierce South ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Fort Pierce South compared with St. Lucie County and Florida

Census figure	Fort Pierce South	St. Lucie County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	42%	32%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	22%	25%
Residents 65 or older	20%	25%	21%
Residents 85 or older	2.9%	2.7%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	32%	10%	12%
Households with no vehicle	13%	4.4%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$23,250	$57,692	—

Older residents in towns around Fort Pierce South

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Fort Pierce, FL	1.3 mi	10,227	29%
White City, FL	2.7 mi	2,183	42%
Fort Pierce North, FL	4.5 mi	1,429	38%
Indian River Estates, FL	5.1 mi	1,959	32%
River Park, FL	6.2 mi	1,494	34%
Lakewood Park, FL	9.2 mi	3,741	31%

Hospices serving Fort Pierce South

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Treasure Coast Hospice Of St Lucie	Fort Pierce, FL	0.6 mi	(772) 403-4500
Treasure Coast Hospice Of Martin	Stuart, FL	21 mi	(772) 403-4500
Hospice Of Okeechobee Incorporated	Okeechobee, FL	33 mi	(813) 467-2321
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida	Melbourne, FL	55 mi	(321) 751-6671

Nursing homes near Fort Pierce South (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Sandgate Gardens Rehab And Nursing Center	Fort Pierce, FL	2.2 mi	2 of 5	107	(772) 466-3322
Vivo Healthcare Fort Pierce	Fort Pierce, FL	2.2 mi	3 of 5	79	(772) 465-7560
Aviata At Saint Lucie	Fort Pierce, FL	2.5 mi	1 of 5	171	(772) 464-5262
Port St Lucie Rehabilitation And Healthcare	Port Saint Lucie, FL	4.8 mi	3 of 5	180	(561) 766-4100

Straight-line miles from the center of Fort Pierce South. 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 Fort Pierce South

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 73% of the $1,938 monthly median income of Fort Pierce South 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 Fort Pierce South: common questions

Which hospices serve Fort Pierce South?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for Fort Pierce South ZIP codes, including Treasure Coast Hospice Of St Lucie, Treasure Coast Hospice Of Martin, Hospice Of Okeechobee Incorporated.

How much does respite care cost in Fort Pierce South?

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 73% of the $1,938 monthly median income of Fort Pierce South 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 South. 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 Fort Pierce South

More senior care near Fort Pierce South

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Fort Pierce South

More for Fort Pierce South 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 Fort Pierce South, FL