Respite Care in Lake Wales, FL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Lake Wales, FL: the local picture

4,488

residents 65 or older (27% of Lake Wales)

75%

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

31%

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

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve Lake Wales ZIP codes

Most older adults in Lake Wales 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 1,328 Lake Wales residents aged 65 or older report a disability (31%) (32% in Polk County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 5 hospices serving Lake Wales ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Lake Wales compared with Polk County and Florida

Census figure	Lake Wales	Polk County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	31%	32%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	25%	24%	25%
Residents 65 or older	27%	20%	21%
Residents 85 or older	2.2%	2.1%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	21%	12%	12%
Households with no vehicle	9.9%	5.4%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$52,031	$50,939	—

Older residents in towns around Lake Wales

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Crooked Lake Park, FL	6.3 mi	352	35%
Dundee, FL	6.7 mi	915	34%
Alturas, FL	7.4 mi	851	32%
Cypress Gardens, FL	8.0 mi	1,846	33%
Wahneta, FL	8.3 mi	384	20%
Grenelefe, FL	9.4 mi	541	18%

Hospices serving Lake Wales

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Compassionate Care Hospice Of Central Florida Inc	Lakeland, FL	21 mi	(863) 709-0099
Good Shepherd Hospice	Lakeland, FL	24 mi	(863) 682-0067
Lifepath Hospice	Temple Terrace, FL	47 mi	(813) 877-2200
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida	Melbourne, FL	56 mi	(321) 751-6671
Hospice Of Lake & Sumter Inc	Tavares, FL	61 mi	(352) 343-1341

Nursing homes near Lake Wales (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Lake Wales Health And Rehabilitation Center	Lake Wales, FL	0.9 mi	1 of 5	100	(863) 676-1512
Groves Center	Lake Wales, FL	2.8 mi	not rated	120	(863) 676-8502
Astoria Health And Rehabilitation Center	Winter Haven, FL	7.9 mi	3 of 5	132	(863) 318-5000
Palm Garden Of Winter Haven	Winter Haven, FL	8.5 mi	4 of 5	120	(863) 293-3100

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

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 $4,336 monthly median income of Lake Wales 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 Wales: common questions

Which hospices serve Lake Wales?

Medicare lists 5 hospices for Lake Wales ZIP codes, including Compassionate Care Hospice Of Central Florida Inc, Good Shepherd Hospice, Lifepath Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Lake Wales?

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 $4,336 monthly median income of Lake Wales 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 Wales. 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 Wales

More senior care near Lake Wales

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Lake Wales

More for Lake Wales 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 Wales, FL