Respite Care in Merritt Island, FL for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Merritt Island, FL: the local picture

9,659

residents 65 or older (28% of Merritt Island)

80%

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

35%

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

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve Merritt Island ZIP codes

Most older adults in Merritt Island live with someone: 80% 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 3,261 Merritt Island residents aged 65 or older report a disability (35%) (33% in Brevard County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Merritt Island compared with Brevard County and Florida

Census figure	Merritt Island	Brevard County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	35%	33%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	20%	26%	25%
Residents 65 or older	28%	24%	21%
Residents 85 or older	3.2%	3.0%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.2%	8.1%	12%
Households with no vehicle	3.0%	4.9%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$75,371	$58,980	—

Older residents in towns around Merritt Island

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Cocoa Beach, FL	3.3 mi	4,128	30%
Rockledge, FL	3.9 mi	7,233	34%
Viera East, FL	4.0 mi	3,985	32%
Viera West, FL	5.9 mi	4,051	20%
Cocoa West, FL	6.7 mi	859	36%
Cocoa, FL	7.1 mi	4,259	37%

Hospices serving Merritt Island

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Mederi Caretenders Hospice	Viera, FL	7.1 mi	(321) 253-2222
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida	Melbourne, FL	12 mi	(321) 751-6671
Hospice Of Health First Inc	West Melbourne, FL	17 mi	(321) 434-1744
Amedisys Hospice Of Brevard	Melbourne, FL	17 mi	(321) 549-0275
St. Francis Hospice	Titusville, FL	20 mi	(321) 269-4240

Nursing homes near Merritt Island (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
The Terrace At Courtenay Springs	Merritt Island, FL	2.2 mi	3 of 5	80	(321) 452-1233
Sunrise Point Health And Rehabilitation Center	Rockledge, FL	3.8 mi	1 of 5	100	(321) 632-7341
Rockledge Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center	Rockledge, FL	4.0 mi	2 of 5	107	(321) 632-6300
Viera Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center	Viera, FL	5.3 mi	3 of 5	114	(321) 752-1000

Straight-line miles from the center of Merritt Island. 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 Merritt Island

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 $6,281 monthly median income of Merritt Island 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 Merritt Island: common questions

Which hospices serve Merritt Island?

Medicare lists 5 hospices for Merritt Island ZIP codes, including Mederi Caretenders Hospice, Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida, Hospice Of Health First Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Merritt Island?

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 $6,281 monthly median income of Merritt Island 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 Merritt Island. 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 Merritt Island

More senior care near Merritt Island

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Merritt Island

More for Merritt Island 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 Merritt Island, FL