Respite Care in Gulf Shores, AL for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Gulf Shores, AL: the local picture

4,249

residents 65 or older (26% of Gulf Shores)

75%

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

29%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Baldwin County)

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Gulf Shores ZIP codes

Most older adults in Gulf Shores 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 1,217 Gulf Shores residents aged 65 or older report a disability (29%) (32% in Baldwin County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 10 hospices serving Gulf Shores ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Gulf Shores compared with Baldwin County and Alabama

Census figure	Gulf Shores	Baldwin County	Alabama
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	32%	38%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	25%	26%	29%
Residents 65 or older	26%	22%	18%
Residents 85 or older	3.4%	1.9%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.7%	7.3%	12%
Households with no vehicle	3.2%	2.7%	5.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$75,547	$60,574	—

Older residents in towns around Gulf Shores

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Bon Secour, AL	3.1 mi	415	20%
Orange Beach, AL	6.5 mi	1,996	24%
Foley, AL	8.5 mi	7,753	37%
Robertsdale, AL	19 mi	1,230	42%
Fairhope, AL	20 mi	6,294	30%
Pensacola Station, FL	24 mi	4	0.0%

Hospices serving Gulf Shores

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Acg Hospice	Foley, AL	8.6 mi	(251) 334-9435
Aveanna Hospice Of Fairhope	Fairhope, AL	19 mi	(251) 462-1428
Amedisys Hospice Of Mobile	Mobile, AL	35 mi	(251) 343-0989
Gentiva Mobile	Mobile, AL	36 mi	(251) 478-9900
St Joseph Hospice Of South Alabama LLC	Mobile, AL	38 mi	(251) 675-7555

Nursing homes near Gulf Shores (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Diversicare Of Foley	Foley, AL	10 mi	2 of 5	154	(251) 943-2781
Robertsdale Rehabilitation & Healthcare Ctr	Robertsdale, AL	21 mi	2 of 5	152	(251) 947-1911
Fairhope Health & Rehab	Fairhope, AL	21 mi	2 of 5	131	(251) 928-2153
Altera Health And Rehabilitation Center	Fairhope, AL	23 mi	4 of 5	83	(251) 928-2177

Straight-line miles from the center of Gulf Shores. 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 Gulf Shores

At the Alabama median aide wage of $13.39 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,160 a month in wages, which is 18% of the $6,296 monthly median income of Gulf Shores households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alabama has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

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 Gulf Shores: common questions

Which hospices serve Gulf Shores?

Medicare lists 10 hospices for Gulf Shores ZIP codes, including Acg Hospice, Aveanna Hospice Of Fairhope, Amedisys Hospice Of Mobile.

How much does respite care cost in Gulf Shores?

At the Alabama median aide wage of $13.39 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,160 a month in wages, which is 18% of the $6,296 monthly median income of Gulf Shores households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Alabama has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

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 Gulf Shores. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states covers Alabama.

More near Gulf Shores

More senior care near Gulf Shores

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Gulf Shores

More for Gulf Shores 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 Gulf Shores, AL