Respite Care in Melbourne, FL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Melbourne, FL: the local picture

19,487

residents 65 or older (23% of Melbourne)

65%

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

39%

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

7

Medicare-certified hospices serve Melbourne ZIP codes

Most older adults in Melbourne live with someone: 65% 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 7,436 Melbourne residents aged 65 or older report a disability (39%) (33% in Brevard County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 7 hospices serving Melbourne ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Melbourne compared with Brevard County and Florida

Census figure	Melbourne	Brevard County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	39%	33%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	35%	26%	25%
Residents 65 or older	23%	24%	21%
Residents 85 or older	3.7%	3.0%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	10%	8.1%	12%
Households with no vehicle	8.7%	4.9%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$48,241	$58,980	—

Older residents in towns around Melbourne

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
June Park, FL	3.1 mi	964	37%
West Melbourne, FL	4.2 mi	5,451	40%
Indian Harbour Beach, FL	5.0 mi	2,644	30%
Indialantic, FL	6.0 mi	769	15%
Satellite Beach, FL	6.1 mi	2,068	22%
Melbourne Beach, FL	7.0 mi	986	16%

Hospices serving Melbourne

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Health First Inc	West Melbourne, FL	3.1 mi	(321) 434-1744
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida	Melbourne, FL	3.3 mi	(321) 751-6671
Amedisys Hospice Of Brevard	Melbourne, FL	3.9 mi	(321) 549-0275
Mederi Caretenders Hospice	Viera, FL	6.7 mi	(321) 253-2222
St. Francis Hospice	Titusville, FL	33 mi	(321) 269-4240

Nursing homes near Melbourne (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Of Melbourne	Melbourne, FL	1.2 mi	2 of 5	167	(321) 255-9200
Indian River Center	West Melbourne, FL	1.3 mi	2 of 5	179	(321) 727-0990
West Melbourne Health & Rehabilitation Center	West Melbourne, FL	2.2 mi	2 of 5	180	(321) 725-7360
Melbourne Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center	Melbourne, FL	3.4 mi	1 of 5	138	(321) 723-1321

Straight-line miles from the center of Melbourne. 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 Melbourne

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 35% of the $4,020 monthly median income of Melbourne 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 Melbourne: common questions

Which hospices serve Melbourne?

Medicare lists 7 hospices for Melbourne ZIP codes, including Hospice Of Health First Inc, Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida, Amedisys Hospice Of Brevard.

How much does respite care cost in Melbourne?

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 35% of the $4,020 monthly median income of Melbourne 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 Melbourne. 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 Melbourne

More senior care near Melbourne

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Melbourne

More for Melbourne 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 Melbourne, FL