Respite Care in Malabar, FL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Malabar, FL: the local picture

590

residents 65 or older (19% of Malabar)

79%

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

24%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Brevard County)

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve Malabar ZIP codes

Most older adults in Malabar 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 141 Malabar residents aged 65 or older report a disability (24%) (33% in Brevard County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Malabar compared with Brevard County and Florida

Census figure	Malabar	Brevard County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	24%	33%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	21%	26%	25%
Residents 65 or older	19%	24%	21%
Residents 85 or older	3.2%	3.0%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	0.0%	8.1%	12%
Households with no vehicle	0.0%	4.9%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$78,505	$58,980	—

Older residents in towns around Malabar

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Grant-Valkaria, FL	3.8 mi	2,035	34%
Palm Bay, FL	5.5 mi	24,719	37%
Melbourne Beach, FL	5.7 mi	986	16%
West Melbourne, FL	6.4 mi	5,451	40%
Indialantic, FL	6.9 mi	769	15%
June Park, FL	8.7 mi	964	37%

Hospices serving Malabar

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Amedisys Hospice Of Brevard	Melbourne, FL	6.1 mi	(321) 549-0275
Hospice Of Health First Inc	West Melbourne, FL	8.0 mi	(321) 434-1744
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida	Melbourne, FL	13 mi	(321) 751-6671
Mederi Caretenders Hospice	Viera, FL	16 mi	(321) 253-2222
St. Francis Hospice	Titusville, FL	43 mi	(321) 269-4240

Nursing homes near Malabar (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Life Care Center Of Palm Bay	Palm Bay, FL	2.2 mi	5 of 5	141	(321) 952-1818
Anchor Care & Rehabilitation Center	Palm Bay, FL	2.6 mi	4 of 5	120	(321) 723-1235
Aviata At Palm Bay	Palm Bay, FL	3.1 mi	4 of 5	120	(321) 722-0660
Atlantic Shores Nursing And Rehab Center	Melbourne, FL	5.0 mi	4 of 5	120	(321) 953-2219

Straight-line miles from the center of Malabar. 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 Malabar

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 22% of the $6,542 monthly median income of Malabar 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 Malabar: common questions

Which hospices serve Malabar?

Medicare lists 5 hospices for Malabar ZIP codes, including Amedisys Hospice Of Brevard, Hospice Of Health First Inc, Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida.

How much does respite care cost in Malabar?

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 22% of the $6,542 monthly median income of Malabar 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 Malabar. 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 Malabar

More senior care near Malabar

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Malabar

More for Malabar 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 Malabar, FL