Respite Care in Lakeland Highlands, 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 Lakeland Highlands for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Lakeland Highlands, FL: the local picture
Most older adults in Lakeland Highlands live with someone: 82% 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 681 Lakeland Highlands residents aged 65 or older report a disability (28%) (32% in Polk County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 6 hospices serving Lakeland Highlands ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Lakeland Highlands compared with Polk County and Florida
| Census figure | Lakeland Highlands | Polk County | Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 28% | 32% | 31% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 18% | 24% | 25% |
| Residents 65 or older | 20% | 20% | 21% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.4% | 2.1% | 2.6% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 6.4% | 12% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.2% | 5.4% | 6.0% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $80,152 | $50,939 | — |
Older residents in towns around Lakeland Highlands
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medulla, FL | 1.8 mi | 1,674 | 28% |
| Fuller Heights, FL | 3.6 mi | 1,741 | 38% |
| Mulberry, FL | 4.2 mi | 1,496 | 40% |
| Highland City, FL | 4.4 mi | 1,941 | 32% |
| Willow Oak, FL | 5.1 mi | 462 | 45% |
| Crystal Lake, FL | 6.3 mi | 630 | 29% |
Hospices serving Lakeland Highlands
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compassionate Care Hospice Of Central Florida Inc | Lakeland, FL | 0.7 mi | (863) 709-0099 |
| Empath Hospice, LLC | Lakeland, FL | 5.6 mi | (863) 329-2750 |
| Good Shepherd Hospice | Lakeland, FL | 7.9 mi | (863) 682-0067 |
| Lifepath Hospice | Temple Terrace, FL | 26 mi | (813) 877-2200 |
| Hospice Of Lake & Sumter Inc | Tavares, FL | 60 mi | (352) 343-1341 |
Nursing homes near Lakeland Highlands (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Lake Health And Rehabilitation Center | Lakeland, FL | 0.3 mi | 2 of 5 | 120 | (863) 500-4015 |
| Highlands Lake Center | Lakeland, FL | 2.7 mi | 2 of 5 | 179 | (863) 646-8699 |
| Bridgewalk On Harden Health And Rehabilitation, Ll | Lakeland, FL | 3.7 mi | 1 of 5 | 120 | (863) 648-4800 |
| Florida Presbyterian Homes Inc | Lakeland, FL | 5.2 mi | 4 of 5 | 68 | (863) 688-5521 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Lakeland Highlands. 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 Lakeland Highlands
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 21% of the $6,679 monthly median income of Lakeland Highlands 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 Lakeland Highlands: common questions
Which hospices serve Lakeland Highlands?
Medicare lists 6 hospices for Lakeland Highlands ZIP codes, including Compassionate Care Hospice Of Central Florida Inc, Empath Hospice, LLC, Good Shepherd Hospice.
How much does respite care cost in Lakeland Highlands?
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 21% of the $6,679 monthly median income of Lakeland Highlands 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 Lakeland Highlands. 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 Lakeland Highlands
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Medulla, FL
- Respite Care in Fuller Heights, FL
- Respite Care in Mulberry, FL
- Respite Care in Highland City, FL
- Respite Care in Willow Oak, FL
- Respite Care in Crystal Lake, FL
- Respite Care in Lakeland, FL
- Respite Care in Combee Settlement, FL
- Respite Care in Fussels Corner, FL
- Respite Care in Bartow, FL
- Respite Care in Jan Phyl Village, FL
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Other care in Lakeland Highlands
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.
Find respite care in Lakeland Highlands
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