Respite Care in Port St. Lucie, 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 Port St. Lucie for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in Port St. Lucie, FL: the local picture
Most older adults in Port St. Lucie 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 16,738 Port St. Lucie residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (32% in St. Lucie County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 4 hospices serving Port St. Lucie ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
Port St. Lucie compared with St. Lucie County and Florida
| Census figure | Port St. Lucie | St. Lucie County | Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 33% | 32% | 31% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 18% | 22% | 25% |
| Residents 65 or older | 22% | 25% | 21% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.4% | 2.7% | 2.6% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 8.5% | 10% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.7% | 4.4% | 6.0% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $63,750 | $57,692 | — |
Older residents in towns around Port St. Lucie
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Park, FL | 4.5 mi | 1,494 | 34% |
| White City, FL | 7.0 mi | 2,183 | 42% |
| Indian River Estates, FL | 7.6 mi | 1,959 | 32% |
| North River Shores, FL | 8.0 mi | 1,374 | 39% |
| Fort Pierce South, FL | 9.2 mi | 981 | 42% |
| Jensen Beach, FL | 9.4 mi | 4,143 | 27% |
Hospices serving Port St. Lucie
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treasure Coast Hospice Of St Lucie | Fort Pierce, FL | 8.7 mi | (772) 403-4500 |
| Treasure Coast Hospice Of Martin | Stuart, FL | 15 mi | (772) 403-4500 |
| Hospice Of Okeechobee Incorporated | Okeechobee, FL | 28 mi | (813) 467-2321 |
| Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida | Melbourne, FL | 62 mi | (321) 751-6671 |
Nursing homes near Port St. Lucie (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ardie R Copas State Veterans Nursing Home | Port Saint Lucie, FL | 4.3 mi | 5 of 5 | 120 | (772) 241-6132 |
| Port St Lucie Rehabilitation And Healthcare | Port Saint Lucie, FL | 5.4 mi | 3 of 5 | 180 | (561) 766-4100 |
| Palm Garden Of Port Saint Lucie | Port Saint Lucie, FL | 5.7 mi | 4 of 5 | 120 | (772) 335-8844 |
| Tiffany Hall Nursing And Rehab Center | Port Saint Lucie, FL | 5.8 mi | 3 of 5 | 120 | (772) 337-3565 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Port St. Lucie. 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 Port St. Lucie
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 27% of the $5,313 monthly median income of Port St. Lucie 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 Port St. Lucie: common questions
Which hospices serve Port St. Lucie?
Medicare lists 4 hospices for Port St. Lucie ZIP codes, including Treasure Coast Hospice Of St Lucie, Treasure Coast Hospice Of Martin, Hospice Of Okeechobee Incorporated.
How much does respite care cost in Port St. Lucie?
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 27% of the $5,313 monthly median income of Port St. Lucie 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 Port St. Lucie. 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 Port St. Lucie
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in River Park, FL
- Respite Care in White City, FL
- Respite Care in Indian River Estates, FL
- Respite Care in North River Shores, FL
- Respite Care in Fort Pierce South, FL
- Respite Care in Jensen Beach, FL
- Respite Care in Palm City, FL
- Respite Care in Fort Pierce, FL
- Respite Care in Hutchinson Island South, FL
- Respite Care in Stuart, FL
- Respite Care in Fort Pierce North, FL
- Respite Care in Port Salerno, FL
- Respite Care in Indiantown, FL
- Respite Care in Lakewood Park, FL
- Respite Care in South Beach, FL
- Respite Care in Hobe Sound, FL
Other care in Port St. Lucie
- Companion Care in Port St. Lucie
- Dementia Care in Port St. Lucie
- Live-In Caregivers in Port St. Lucie
- Post-Surgery Care in Port St. Lucie
- Senior Transportation in Port St. Lucie
- Home Health Aides in Port St. Lucie
- Nursing Assistants in Port St. Lucie
- Personal Care in Port St. Lucie
- Overnight Caregivers in Port St. Lucie
- 24-Hour Home Care in Port St. Lucie
- Mobility Assistance in Port St. Lucie
- Parkinson’s Care in Port St. Lucie
- Stroke Recovery Support in Port St. Lucie
- Disability Care for Adults in Port St. Lucie
- Hospice Support in Port St. Lucie
- Senior Meal Preparation in Port St. Lucie
- Senior Housekeeping in Port St. Lucie
- Medication Reminders in Port St. Lucie
- Veterans’ Home Care in Port St. Lucie
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.
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