Respite Care in Winter Haven, FL for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Winter Haven, FL: the local picture

10,681

residents 65 or older (19% of Winter Haven)

72%

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

33%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Polk County)

7

Medicare-certified hospices serve Winter Haven ZIP codes

Most older adults in Winter Haven live with someone: 72% 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 3,357 Winter Haven residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (32% in Polk County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 7 hospices serving Winter Haven ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Winter Haven compared with Polk County and Florida

Census figure	Winter Haven	Polk County	Florida
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	32%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	28%	24%	25%
Residents 65 or older	19%	20%	21%
Residents 85 or older	2.5%	2.1%	2.6%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	12%	12%
Households with no vehicle	8.0%	5.4%	6.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$44,809	$50,939	—

Older residents in towns around Winter Haven

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Inwood, FL	2.2 mi	1,129	24%
Cypress Gardens, FL	3.9 mi	1,846	33%
Jan Phyl Village, FL	4.2 mi	833	38%
Eagle Lake, FL	5.1 mi	217	16%
Auburndale, FL	5.9 mi	3,161	28%
Wahneta, FL	6.0 mi	384	20%

Hospices serving Winter Haven

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Empath Hospice, LLC	Lakeland, FL	13 mi	(863) 329-2750
Compassionate Care Hospice Of Central Florida Inc	Lakeland, FL	14 mi	(863) 709-0099
Good Shepherd Hospice	Lakeland, FL	14 mi	(863) 682-0067
Lifepath Hospice	Temple Terrace, FL	39 mi	(813) 877-2200
Hospice Of Lake & Sumter Inc	Tavares, FL	52 mi	(352) 343-1341

Nursing homes near Winter Haven (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Vivo Healthcare Winter Haven	Winter Haven, FL	0.4 mi	1 of 5	120	(863) 298-5000
Spring Lake Rehabilitation Center	Winter Haven, FL	0.6 mi	5 of 5	132	(863) 294-3055
Oak Haven Rehab And Nursing Center	Auburndale, FL	2.5 mi	1 of 5	120	(863) 967-4125
Winter Haven Health And Rehabilitation Center	Winter Haven, FL	2.7 mi	2 of 5	140	(863) 293-3103

Straight-line miles from the center of Winter Haven. 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 Winter Haven

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 38% of the $3,734 monthly median income of Winter Haven 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 Winter Haven: common questions

Which hospices serve Winter Haven?

Medicare lists 7 hospices for Winter Haven ZIP codes, including Empath Hospice, LLC, Compassionate Care Hospice Of Central Florida Inc, Good Shepherd Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Winter Haven?

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 38% of the $3,734 monthly median income of Winter Haven 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 Winter Haven. 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 Winter Haven

More senior care near Winter Haven

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Winter Haven

More for Winter Haven 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 Winter Haven, FL