Respite Care in Gifford, FL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Gifford, FL: the local picture

560

residents 65 or older (12% of Gifford)

75%

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

34%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Indian River County)

2

Medicare-certified hospices serve Gifford ZIP codes

Most older adults in Gifford live with someone: 75% 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 189 Gifford residents aged 65 or older report a disability (34%) (29% in Indian River County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 2 hospices serving Gifford ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Gifford compared with Indian River County and Florida

Census figure	Gifford	Indian River County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	34%	29%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	25%	25%	25%
Residents 65 or older	12%	35%	21%
Residents 85 or older	0.6%	4.8%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.0%	8.3%	12%
Households with no vehicle	11%	4.6%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$53,375	$66,445	—

Older residents in towns around Gifford

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Winter Beach, FL	2.7 mi	1,825	17%
Vero Beach, FL	2.8 mi	4,925	25%
Indian River Shores, FL	3.6 mi	3,204	30%
Vero Beach South, FL	4.4 mi	9,166	31%
West Vero Corridor, FL	4.5 mi	5,836	33%
Florida Ridge, FL	6.9 mi	5,763	31%

Hospices serving Gifford

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Vna Hospice Of Indian River County Inc	Vero Beach, FL	3.2 mi	(772) 567-5551
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida	Melbourne, FL	36 mi	(321) 751-6671

Nursing homes near Gifford (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Palm Garden Of Vero Beach	Vero Beach, FL	1.8 mi	3 of 5	189	(772) 567-2443
Sea Breeze Rehab And Nursing Center	Vero Beach, FL	1.9 mi	1 of 5	110	(772) 567-2552
Vero Beach Care Center	Vero Beach, FL	1.9 mi	2 of 5	159	(772) 569-5107
Hidden Lakes Senior Living Community	Vero Beach, FL	2.5 mi	3 of 5	24	(772) 567-5248

Straight-line miles from the center of Gifford. 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 Gifford

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 32% of the $4,448 monthly median income of Gifford 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 Gifford: common questions

Which hospices serve Gifford?

Medicare lists 2 hospices for Gifford ZIP codes, including Vna Hospice Of Indian River County Inc, Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida.

How much does respite care cost in Gifford?

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 32% of the $4,448 monthly median income of Gifford 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 Gifford. 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 Gifford

More senior care near Gifford

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Gifford

More for Gifford 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 Gifford, FL