Respite Care in Fuller Heights, 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 Fuller Heights for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Fuller Heights, FL: the local picture
Most older adults in Fuller Heights live with someone: 83% 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 664 Fuller Heights residents aged 65 or older report a disability (38%) (32% in Polk County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 9 hospices serving Fuller Heights ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Fuller Heights compared with Polk County and Florida
| Census figure | Fuller Heights | Polk County | Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 38% | 32% | 31% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 17% | 24% | 25% |
| Residents 65 or older | 17% | 20% | 21% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.4% | 2.1% | 2.6% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 15% | 12% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.3% | 5.4% | 6.0% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $61,038 | $50,939 | — |
Older residents in towns around Fuller Heights
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mulberry, FL | 1.5 mi | 1,496 | 40% |
| Willow Oak, FL | 1.7 mi | 462 | 45% |
| Medulla, FL | 2.5 mi | 1,674 | 28% |
| Lakeland Highlands, FL | 3.6 mi | 2,431 | 28% |
| Highland City, FL | 7.7 mi | 1,941 | 32% |
| Lakeland, FL | 9.4 mi | 25,793 | 36% |
Hospices serving Fuller Heights
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compassionate Care Hospice Of Central Florida Inc | Lakeland, FL | 4.3 mi | (863) 709-0099 |
| Empath Hospice, LLC | Lakeland, FL | 8.6 mi | (863) 329-2750 |
| Good Shepherd Hospice | Lakeland, FL | 10 mi | (863) 682-0067 |
| Lifepath Hospice | Temple Terrace, FL | 24 mi | (813) 877-2200 |
| Gulfside Hospice, Inc | Land O Lakes, FL | 35 mi | (727) 845-5707 |
Nursing homes near Fuller Heights (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Lake Health And Rehabilitation Center | Lakeland, FL | 3.3 mi | 2 of 5 | 120 | (863) 500-4015 |
| Bridgewalk On Harden Health And Rehabilitation, Ll | Lakeland, FL | 5.9 mi | 1 of 5 | 120 | (863) 648-4800 |
| Highlands Lake Center | Lakeland, FL | 6.2 mi | 2 of 5 | 179 | (863) 646-8699 |
| Florida Presbyterian Homes Inc | Lakeland, FL | 7.7 mi | 4 of 5 | 68 | (863) 688-5521 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Fuller Heights. 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 Fuller Heights
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 28% of the $5,087 monthly median income of Fuller Heights 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 Fuller Heights: common questions
Which hospices serve Fuller Heights?
Medicare lists 9 hospices for Fuller Heights ZIP codes, including Compassionate Care Hospice Of Central Florida Inc, Empath Hospice, LLC, Good Shepherd Hospice.
How much does respite care cost in Fuller Heights?
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 28% of the $5,087 monthly median income of Fuller Heights 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 Fuller Heights. 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 Fuller Heights
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Mulberry, FL
- Respite Care in Willow Oak, FL
- Respite Care in Medulla, FL
- Respite Care in Lakeland Highlands, FL
- Respite Care in Highland City, FL
- Respite Care in Lakeland, FL
- Respite Care in Plant City, FL
- Respite Care in Crystal Lake, FL
- Respite Care in Combee Settlement, FL
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Other care in Fuller Heights
- Companion Care in Fuller Heights
- Dementia Care in Fuller Heights
- Live-In Caregivers in Fuller Heights
- Post-Surgery Care in Fuller Heights
- Senior Transportation in Fuller Heights
- Home Health Aides in Fuller Heights
- Nursing Assistants in Fuller Heights
- Personal Care in Fuller Heights
- Overnight Caregivers in Fuller Heights
- 24-Hour Home Care in Fuller Heights
- Mobility Assistance in Fuller Heights
- Parkinson’s Care in Fuller Heights
- Stroke Recovery Support in Fuller Heights
- Disability Care for Adults in Fuller Heights
- Hospice Support in Fuller Heights
- Senior Meal Preparation in Fuller Heights
- Senior Housekeeping in Fuller Heights
- Medication Reminders in Fuller Heights
- Veterans’ Home Care in Fuller Heights
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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