Respite Care in South Sarasota, FL for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in South Sarasota, FL: the local picture

1,803

residents 65 or older (37% of South Sarasota)

84%

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

33%

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

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve South Sarasota ZIP codes

Most older adults in South Sarasota live with someone: 84% 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 595 South Sarasota residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (27% in Sarasota County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

South Sarasota compared with Sarasota County and Florida

Census figure	South Sarasota	Sarasota County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	27%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	16%	24%	25%
Residents 65 or older	37%	38%	21%
Residents 85 or older	4.9%	5.1%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.7%	7.7%	12%
Households with no vehicle	2.9%	4.1%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$82,500	$71,458	—

Older residents in towns around South Sarasota

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Siesta Key, FL	1.3 mi	2,959	20%
Ridge Wood Heights, FL	1.3 mi	1,087	33%
Southgate, FL	1.8 mi	1,616	33%
South Gate Ridge, FL	2.2 mi	1,558	27%
Gulf Gate, FL	2.5 mi	2,568	36%
Sarasota, FL	3.6 mi	16,610	24%

Hospices serving South Sarasota

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Affinity Care Of Sarasota	Sarasota, FL	4.7 mi	(941) 477-9991
Empath Tidewell Hospice	Sarasota, FL	4.7 mi	(941) 552-7500
Suncoast Hospice Of Hillsborough, LLC	Brandon, FL	45 mi	(813) 561-7300
Lifepath Hospice	Temple Terrace, FL	53 mi	(813) 877-2200
Hope Hospice And Community Services Inc	Fort Myers, FL	66 mi	(800) 835-1673

Nursing homes near South Sarasota (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Creekside Health And Rehabilitation Center	Sarasota, FL	1.4 mi	2 of 5	178	(941) 921-7462
Sarasota Health And Rehabilitation Center	Sarasota, FL	2.3 mi	1 of 5	144	(941) 365-2422
Award Care At Sarasota	Sarasota, FL	2.6 mi	1 of 5	120	(941) 366-0336
Crescent Health And Rehabilitation Center	Sarasota, FL	2.8 mi	1 of 5	140	(941) 925-3427

Straight-line miles from the center of South Sarasota. 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 South Sarasota

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 20% of the $6,875 monthly median income of South Sarasota 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 South Sarasota: common questions

Which hospices serve South Sarasota?

Medicare lists 5 hospices for South Sarasota ZIP codes, including Affinity Care Of Sarasota, Empath Tidewell Hospice, Suncoast Hospice Of Hillsborough, LLC.

How much does respite care cost in South Sarasota?

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 20% of the $6,875 monthly median income of South Sarasota 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 South Sarasota. 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 South Sarasota

More senior care near South Sarasota

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in South Sarasota

More for South Sarasota 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 South Sarasota, FL