Respite Care in Highland City, 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 Highland City for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Highland City, FL: the local picture
Most older adults in Highland City live with someone: 86% 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 630 Highland City residents aged 65 or older report a disability (32%) (32% in Polk County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 3 hospices serving Highland City ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Highland City compared with Polk County and Florida
| Census figure | Highland City | Polk County | Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 32% | 32% | 31% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 14% | 24% | 25% |
| Residents 65 or older | 15% | 20% | 21% |
| Residents 85 or older | 0.4% | 2.1% | 2.6% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 8.9% | 12% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.6% | 5.4% | 6.0% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $63,371 | $50,939 | — |
Older residents in towns around Highland City
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland Highlands, FL | 4.4 mi | 2,431 | 28% |
| Crystal Lake, FL | 5.2 mi | 630 | 29% |
| Medulla, FL | 6.3 mi | 1,674 | 28% |
| Jan Phyl Village, FL | 6.3 mi | 833 | 38% |
| Bartow, FL | 6.3 mi | 3,376 | 31% |
| Fussels Corner, FL | 6.6 mi | 1,904 | 26% |
Hospices serving Highland City
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compassionate Care Hospice Of Central Florida Inc | Lakeland, FL | 3.7 mi | (863) 709-0099 |
| Good Shepherd Hospice | Lakeland, FL | 9.0 mi | (863) 682-0067 |
| Hospice Of Lake & Sumter Inc | Tavares, FL | 59 mi | (352) 343-1341 |
Nursing homes near Highland City (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlands Lake Center | Lakeland, FL | 3.2 mi | 2 of 5 | 179 | (863) 646-8699 |
| Scott Lake Health And Rehabilitation Center | Lakeland, FL | 4.5 mi | 2 of 5 | 120 | (863) 500-4015 |
| Bartow Center | Bartow, FL | 6.5 mi | 2 of 5 | 120 | (863) 533-0578 |
| Bridgewalk On Harden Health And Rehabilitation, Ll | Lakeland, FL | 6.5 mi | 1 of 5 | 120 | (863) 648-4800 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Highland City. 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 Highland City
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 27% of the $5,281 monthly median income of Highland City 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 Highland City: common questions
Which hospices serve Highland City?
Medicare lists 3 hospices for Highland City ZIP codes, including Compassionate Care Hospice Of Central Florida Inc, Good Shepherd Hospice, Hospice Of Lake & Sumter Inc.
How much does respite care cost in Highland City?
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 27% of the $5,281 monthly median income of Highland City 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 Highland City. 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 Highland City
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Lakeland Highlands, FL
- Respite Care in Crystal Lake, FL
- Respite Care in Medulla, FL
- Respite Care in Jan Phyl Village, FL
- Respite Care in Bartow, FL
- Respite Care in Fussels Corner, FL
- Respite Care in Combee Settlement, FL
- Respite Care in Eagle Lake, FL
- Respite Care in Fuller Heights, FL
- Respite Care in Mulberry, FL
- Respite Care in Lakeland, FL
- Respite Care in Inwood, FL
- Respite Care in Wahneta, FL
- Respite Care in Willow Oak, FL
- Respite Care in Winter Haven, FL
- Respite Care in Auburndale, FL
Other care in Highland City
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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