Respite Care in Stuart, FL: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Stuart, FL: the local picture

5,381

residents 65 or older (29% of Stuart)

60%

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

36%

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

5

Medicare-certified hospices serve Stuart ZIP codes

Most older adults in Stuart live with someone: 60% 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 1,766 Stuart residents aged 65 or older report a disability (36%) (27% in Martin County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Stuart compared with Martin County and Florida

Census figure	Stuart	Martin County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	27%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	26%	25%
Residents 65 or older	29%	32%	21%
Residents 85 or older	4.1%	4.0%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	8.5%	12%
Households with no vehicle	9.6%	4.3%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$49,004	$69,533	—

Older residents in towns around Stuart

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
North River Shores, FL	2.7 mi	1,374	39%
Palm City, FL	2.8 mi	7,621	24%
Jensen Beach, FL	3.4 mi	4,143	27%
Port Salerno, FL	4.9 mi	3,264	26%
Hutchinson Island South, FL	7.7 mi	2,786	25%
River Park, FL	10 mi	1,494	34%

Hospices serving Stuart

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Treasure Coast Hospice Of Martin	Stuart, FL	4.3 mi	(772) 403-4500
Treasure Coast Hospice Of St Lucie	Fort Pierce, FL	16 mi	(772) 403-4500
Hospice Of Okeechobee Incorporated	Okeechobee, FL	37 mi	(813) 467-2321
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida	Melbourne, FL	71 mi	(321) 751-6671
Emerald Coast Hospice	Panama City, FL	389 mi	(850) 769-0055

Nursing homes near Stuart (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Stuart Rehabilitation And Healthcare	Stuart, FL	0.8 mi	4 of 5	120	(772) 283-5887
Solaris Healthcare Parkway	Stuart, FL	1.1 mi	4 of 5	177	(772) 287-9912
Waters Edge Health And Rehabilitation	Palm City, FL	2.1 mi	5 of 5	36	(772) 223-5863
Palm City Nursing & Rehab Center	Palm City, FL	3.6 mi	4 of 5	120	(772) 288-0060

Straight-line miles from the center of Stuart. 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 Stuart

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 34% of the $4,084 monthly median income of Stuart 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 Stuart: common questions

Which hospices serve Stuart?

Medicare lists 5 hospices for Stuart ZIP codes, including Treasure Coast Hospice Of Martin, Treasure Coast Hospice Of St Lucie, Hospice Of Okeechobee Incorporated.

How much does respite care cost in Stuart?

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 34% of the $4,084 monthly median income of Stuart 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 Stuart. 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 Stuart

More senior care near Stuart

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Stuart

More for Stuart 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 Stuart, FL