Respite Care in Lake Alfred, FL for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Lake Alfred, FL: the local picture

1,215

residents 65 or older (17% of Lake Alfred)

69%

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

33%

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

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Lake Alfred ZIP codes

Most older adults in Lake Alfred live with someone: 69% 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 390 Lake Alfred residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (32% in Polk County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 6 hospices serving Lake Alfred ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Lake Alfred compared with Polk County and Florida

Census figure	Lake Alfred	Polk County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	32%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	31%	24%	25%
Residents 65 or older	17%	20%	21%
Residents 85 or older	2.8%	2.1%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	0.0%	12%	12%
Households with no vehicle	5.5%	5.4%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$41,797	$50,939	—

Older residents in towns around Lake Alfred

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Auburndale, FL	5.3 mi	3,161	28%
Haines City, FL	6.3 mi	5,012	34%
Winter Haven, FL	6.4 mi	10,681	33%
Davenport, FL	6.7 mi	1,104	32%
Inwood, FL	7.5 mi	1,129	24%
Polk City, FL	7.5 mi	599	31%

Hospices serving Lake Alfred

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Empath Hospice, LLC	Lakeland, FL	15 mi	(863) 329-2750
Good Shepherd Hospice	Lakeland, FL	16 mi	(863) 682-0067
Compassionate Care Hospice Of Central Florida Inc	Lakeland, FL	18 mi	(863) 709-0099
Lifepath Hospice	Temple Terrace, FL	40 mi	(813) 877-2200
Hospice Of Lake & Sumter Inc	Tavares, FL	46 mi	(352) 343-1341

Nursing homes near Lake Alfred (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Vivo Healthcare Winter Haven	Winter Haven, FL	6.1 mi	1 of 5	120	(863) 298-5000
Haines City Rehabilitation And Nursing Center	Haines City, FL	6.3 mi	2 of 5	120	(863) 422-8656
Oak Haven Rehab And Nursing Center	Auburndale, FL	6.4 mi	1 of 5	120	(863) 967-4125
Spring Lake Rehabilitation Center	Winter Haven, FL	7.0 mi	5 of 5	132	(863) 294-3055

Straight-line miles from the center of Lake Alfred. 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 Lake Alfred

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 40% of the $3,483 monthly median income of Lake Alfred 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 Lake Alfred: common questions

Which hospices serve Lake Alfred?

Medicare lists 6 hospices for Lake Alfred ZIP codes, including Empath Hospice, LLC, Good Shepherd Hospice, Compassionate Care Hospice Of Central Florida Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Lake Alfred?

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 40% of the $3,483 monthly median income of Lake Alfred 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 Lake Alfred. 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 Lake Alfred

More senior care near Lake Alfred

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Lake Alfred

More for Lake Alfred 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 Lake Alfred, FL