Respite Care in Laurel, FL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Laurel, FL: the local picture

5,494

residents 65 or older (47% of Laurel)

79%

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

32%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Sarasota County)

1

Medicare-certified hospices serve Laurel ZIP codes

Most older adults in Laurel live with someone: 79% 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 1,750 Laurel residents aged 65 or older report a disability (32%) (27% in Sarasota County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 1 hospice serving Laurel ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Laurel compared with Sarasota County and Florida

Census figure	Laurel	Sarasota County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	27%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	21%	24%	25%
Residents 65 or older	47%	38%	21%
Residents 85 or older	7.6%	5.1%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.5%	7.7%	12%
Households with no vehicle	3.3%	4.1%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$70,833	$71,458	—

Older residents in towns around Laurel

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Nokomis, FL	2.4 mi	1,057	56%
Osprey, FL	2.8 mi	2,878	27%
Venice, FL	3.5 mi	16,863	25%
Palmer Ranch, FL	4.9 mi	8,385	23%
Vamo, FL	5.4 mi	1,841	23%
Venice Gardens, FL	6.1 mi	871	28%

Hospices serving Laurel

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Empath Tidewell Hospice	Sarasota, FL	6.3 mi	(941) 552-7500

Nursing homes near Laurel (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Venice Health And Rehabilitation Center	Venice, FL	2.9 mi	2 of 5	120	(941) 488-6733
Aviata At Venice	Venice, FL	3.5 mi	1 of 5	120	(941) 484-0425
Advinia Care At Venice	Venice, FL	4.3 mi	1 of 5	45	(941) 484-8801
Capri Health And Rehabilitation Center	Venice, FL	4.6 mi	2 of 5	129	(941) 486-8088

Straight-line miles from the center of Laurel. 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 Laurel

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 24% of the $5,903 monthly median income of Laurel 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 Laurel: common questions

Which hospices serve Laurel?

Medicare lists 1 hospice for Laurel ZIP codes, including Empath Tidewell Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Laurel?

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 24% of the $5,903 monthly median income of Laurel 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 Laurel. 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 Laurel

More senior care near Laurel

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Laurel

More for Laurel 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 Laurel, FL