Respite Care in Tallahassee, FL for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Tallahassee, FL: the local picture

23,684

residents 65 or older (12% of Tallahassee)

63%

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

33%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Leon County)

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Tallahassee ZIP codes

Most older adults in Tallahassee live with someone: 63% 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 7,656 Tallahassee residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (31% in Leon County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 4 hospices serving Tallahassee ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Tallahassee compared with Leon County and Florida

Census figure	Tallahassee	Leon County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	31%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	37%	29%	25%
Residents 65 or older	12%	15%	21%
Residents 85 or older	1.3%	1.5%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	9.4%	12%
Households with no vehicle	8.5%	7.1%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$62,665	$70,878	—

Older residents in towns around Tallahassee

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Bradfordville, FL	8.6 mi	3,494	18%
Woodville, FL	9.6 mi	748	57%
Crawfordville, FL	19 mi	740	45%
Quincy, FL	21 mi	1,187	57%
Monticello, FL	23 mi	725	38%
Cairo, GA	30 mi	1,522	52%

Hospices serving Tallahassee

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida	Tallahassee, FL	2.3 mi	(850) 575-4998
Big Bend Hospice Inc	Tallahassee, FL	2.3 mi	(850) 878-5310
Haven Hospice	Gainesville, FL	122 mi	(904) 378-2121
Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida	Melbourne, FL	267 mi	(321) 751-6671

Nursing homes near Tallahassee (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Extended Care	Tallahassee, FL	0.6 mi	5 of 5	113	(850) 431-5440
Aviata At The Gardens - Tallahassee	Tallahassee, FL	0.8 mi	2 of 5	109	(850) 942-9868
Centre Pointe Health And Rehab Center	Tallahassee, FL	1.7 mi	4 of 5	140	(850) 386-4054
Aviata At Tallahassee	Tallahassee, FL	2.0 mi	2 of 5	180	(850) 877-2177

Straight-line miles from the center of Tallahassee. 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 Tallahassee

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 $5,222 monthly median income of Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee: common questions

Which hospices serve Tallahassee?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for Tallahassee ZIP codes, including Vitas Healthcare Corporation Of Florida, Big Bend Hospice Inc, Haven Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Tallahassee?

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 $5,222 monthly median income of Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee. 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 Tallahassee

More senior care near Tallahassee

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Tallahassee

More for Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee, FL