Good news for Southwest Florida families: in-home care here costs less than the national average, and the longer the visits, the lower the hourly cost. Florida’s median for a non-medical caregiver is about $32 an hour, compared with $35 nationally. Families working with Abby Services on 6–12 hour visits typically land right around that Florida median, and around-the-clock care comes in below it.
(CareScout 2025)
(about $73,216/yr)
6–12 hour visits
around-the-clock care
National and Florida figures: CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey and Florida data. Abby Services ranges include the caregiver’s fee and our registry fee.
Quick tips before you budget
- Longer visits cost less per hour. More caregivers are interested in them, and they take less coordination.
- Short visits cost more. One- to three-hour visits run higher because of travel time and scheduling.
- No surprises. Your rate is reviewed in your client service agreement before care begins.
Looking for hourly help at home?
What Does a Private Caregiver Cost in Southwest Florida?
Every arrangement is different. The ranges below reflect what families in Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties commonly see in 2026. They are for information only and are not binding on any caregiver or client. Your actual cost depends on the caregiver you choose, the rate that caregiver bills, and the arrangement the two of you ultimately agree on, which is negotiable. The ranges we share reflect typical rates in the area and serve as a starting point if either of you wants to discuss other options.
No surprises. Typical caregiver fees are outlined and reviewed with you in your client service agreement before you begin with Abby Services, so you will know the agreed-upon rate before care starts.
| Type of schedule | Typical total cost families see |
|---|---|
| Short visits (1–3 hours) | About $100–$150 per visit; a one-hour visit usually runs about $100. Short visits cost more on both sides: caregivers often bill a higher hourly rate because of travel time, and our fee is higher too, because short visits take more coordination and administration. |
| Part-day (4–6 hours) | About $40–$45 per hour. A good fit for morning routines, evening help or appointments. It is often the sweet spot: a caregiver can take on two of these visits in a day and earn a fair living, which makes these requests easier to match. |
| Extended visits (6–12 hours) Best value | About $30–$35 per hour. The most common choice for balancing coverage and cost. Longer visits are popular with caregivers, so more of them are interested and they often bill less per hour. They also take less coordination, so our fee is lower too. |
| Around-the-clock (24/7) | About $24–$30 per hour for ongoing daily coverage, the lowest hourly cost of any arrangement. We usually suggest two 12-hour blocks of care, each with its own caregiver. Caregivers typically bill their lowest hourly rates for this kind of schedule, aside from live-in, and our fee is at its lowest too because it takes the least coordination. Short-term or on-and-off schedules may cost more. |
| Live-in | About $350–$450 per day, with defined rest and sleep periods built in. |
The question I hear most
When cost is a concern, the answer usually isn’t a lower rate. It’s a smarter schedule. Moving from a few short visits to one longer visit can bring the hourly cost down noticeably, and many families get the help they need for less than they expected. I’m always glad to talk through options.
Scott Strachan, RN, BSN
How your total cost is made up
Caregiver fee
Agreed between you and your caregiver. Experience, credentials, schedule, and location all affect the fee.
Registry fee
Our fee for the work behind the scenes: finding and introducing caregivers who fit your needs, Level 2 background screening and credential checks, invoicing support, and meeting extensive state requirements, including the state-required safeguards that help keep you and the person you love safe.
Payment processing
Processing fees depend on how you pay and are paid by the client. Bank transfer (ACH) is typically the most cost-efficient option, and we recommend it. Credit card fees are higher. All payment options and fees are reviewed with you in your payment agreement.
What affects the cost
- Caregiver experience and credentials: a CNA or home health aide typically charges more than a companion.
- Level of care: more hands-on help usually means a higher fee.
- Schedule: consistent schedules and more total hours tend to lower the hourly cost.
- Location: travel distance can matter, especially for short visits.
- Holidays and extra hours: some caregivers ask for a premium rate. Whether to accept is your decision.
Weekly insurance documentation and claim support are included at no additional cost. If you choose assignment of benefits, where your insurer pays the registry directly, rates may be higher to cover the added administrative work.
What the national cost-of-care surveys show
For years, the MetLife Mature Market Survey was the standard reference for long-term care costs — it’s where the often-quoted $21-per-hour national figure came from. That survey was discontinued more than a decade ago, and its successor is the Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey, which has tracked median long-term care costs across all 50 states since 2004.
The 2025 survey reports a national median of $35 per hour for a non-medical caregiver — roughly $80,000 per year at 44 hours of care per week. Florida’s median comes in at about $32 per hour ($73,216 a year), in line with what we see locally. The survey also found that labor costs, more than inflation, have been the top factor driving home care price increases. We’ve seen the same thing locally: labor costs have risen significantly over the past five years, which is why rates have gone up across the board. (One note if you compare older surveys: beginning in 2025, homemaker services and home health aide services are reported together as a single “non-medical caregiver” category.)
Those numbers make more sense with context. The same survey puts assisted living at a national median of $6,200 per month — about $74,400 per year — and a private nursing home room at $355 per day, or nearly $130,000 per year. For families whose loved one needs part-time support rather than a facility, in-home care is frequently the most economical option, and it comes with staying home.
The biggest share of what facilities charge goes to labor, and that’s where families most often raise concerns. A facility can be a beautiful building, but if it doesn’t have enough caregivers, or good ones, to staff it, your loved one feels it. With in-home care, your money goes toward one-on-one time with a caregiver you chose.
| Type of care | Florida median per year |
|---|---|
| In-home caregiver, 44 hours a week | $73,216 |
| Nursing home, semi-private room | $124,100 |
| Nursing home, private room | $146,000 |
The value goes beyond the price. With in-home care, your loved one stays in a familiar, comfortable home, with their own routines, belongings, neighbors and pets, and one-on-one attention instead of sharing staff with a whole unit.
Source: CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, Florida. Around-the-clock awake care can cost more than a facility, so we’ll help you compare honestly for your situation.
Medians also hide the range. The survey breaks results down by metropolitan area, and Cape Coral–Fort Myers is its own region — you can look up our exact market using CareScout’s free cost-of-care tool. Local demand, seasonality, and the factors below all move individual rates.
Why a Nurse Registry Often Costs Less Than an Agency
- Families typically pay less. Nurse registries are traditionally less expensive than home health agencies. Florida’s own legislative review found registries deliver in-home care at 20–30% lower cost.
- Caregivers frequently earn more. Without an employer’s overhead in the middle, caregivers who set their own rates very often earn more through a nurse registry than through a home health agency. Agency rates also carry employer costs, like payroll taxes, workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. With a registry, those employer costs aren’t built into the price.
- Abby Services keeps costs down. We are more cost-efficient than many of our competitors, so more of your budget goes toward care.
Comparing agencies and nurse registries? Read The Big Four: Common Myths About Nurse Registries before you decide.
Abby Services works as a nurse registry, not a traditional home care agency. That distinction matters for cost: the caregivers we refer are self-employed and set their own rates, which you agree to directly with them. Your total invoiced cost is simply the caregiver’s fee plus our referral fee, disclosed up front, with none of the overhead a traditional agency adds to every hour billed. In many cases, that means you pay less overall while the caregiver earns more. Take a look at the full range of services a private caregiver can help with.
Paying for a Private Caregiver
Worried about how to cover the cost? You have more options than you might think:
- Long-term care insurance — Many policies cover in-home caregivers, including what’s often called “homemaker services.” We’re happy to help you make sense of your policy. See how we help with long-term care insurance claims.
- Veterans’ benefits — Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, which can help offset the cost of in-home care.
- Private pay — The most common option. You pay only for the hours you actually need, and can scale up or down as things change.
Medicare generally does not cover ongoing, non-medical in-home care, so it’s worth checking your other options early.
You don’t have to choose between full days or nothing. If you need help in the morning and again in the evening, tell us. We’ll reach out to our network of private caregivers to find someone interested in that schedule, so you only pay for the hours that matter most.
Live-In Care vs. Around-the-Clock Care
These two are often confused, but they’re priced, and structured, differently. Live-in care means a caregiver stays in the home with defined rest and sleep periods. Around-the-clock care means awake caregivers taking turns, with no one sleeping on the job. The right fit, and the right cost, depends on whether your loved one needs someone simply present overnight or someone awake and alert.
Live-in care is challenging, and it only works when the arrangement is respected. The downtime is built into the live-in price, so the caregiver needs those rest periods without being interrupted. If your loved one needs help through the night, around-the-clock care with awake caregivers is usually the better fit.
Finding the Right Caregiver in Fort Myers & Cape Coral
Southwest Florida is a melting pot, and the private caregivers in our network reflect that, with a wide range of backgrounds, languages and experience. Tell us what matters to you, and we’ll look for caregivers who fit.
Since 1997, Abby Services has helped families across Fort Myers and Cape Coral find screened, credentialed caregivers at a price that makes sense for their budget. Whether you need a few hours of help each week or full-time support, our team can help you build a plan and find the right person for your family.
Explore our caregiver services or call 239-590-0861 for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a private caregiver cost in Fort Myers and Cape Coral?
As of 2026, families in our area commonly see about $30–$35 per hour for extended visits of 6–12 hours, $40–$45 per hour for 4–6 hour visits, and more for short visits. Around-the-clock coverage is usually the lowest hourly cost at about $24–$30 per hour, and live-in care is typically about $350–$450 per day. Your actual cost depends on the caregiver you choose and the arrangement you agree on.
Is a nurse registry cheaper than a home care agency?
Often, yes, in total cost. Independent caregivers referred through a registry set their own rates and don’t carry agency overhead, so families frequently pay less in total while the caregiver earns more. Always compare the complete invoiced amount, not just the hourly rate.
Who sets the caregiver’s rate?
The caregiver. Caregivers referred by Abby Services are self-employed and set their own fees, which the client and caregiver agree on together. Your total invoiced cost is the caregiver’s fee plus Abby Services’ referral fee, disclosed before services begin.
Does insurance cover the cost of a private caregiver?
Many long-term care insurance policies cover in-home caregivers, including homemaker services. Medicare generally does not cover ongoing non-medical in-home care. Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit.
Are live-in care and 24-hour care the same thing?
No. Live-in care means a caregiver stays in the home with defined rest and sleep periods. Around-the-clock care means awake caregivers taking turns. They are distinct arrangements with different costs, and the right choice depends on whether your loved one needs someone present or someone awake.
Do private caregivers carry workers’ comp, and should that worry me?
Private caregivers are self-employed, so they generally don’t carry workers’ compensation the way an agency does for its employees. Some agencies frequently point to that to make families nervous, but it isn’t the whole story. Workers’ comp covers the worker’s own injury. It does not automatically protect you: if an agency caregiver is hurt in your home and your negligence played a role, the insurer can still seek repayment from you. Either way, the best protection is a conversation with your homeowner’s insurance agent about anyone working in your home. You can also ask the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation whether an agency’s coverage protects the client. For more, see The Big Four, a guide to common home care myths developed for the Private Care Association.
Are caregivers referred by a registry insured?
Many private caregivers who receive referrals through a nurse registry maintain their own professional liability insurance. It’s a good question to ask when you request a referral. If coverage matters to you, tell us, and we’ll look for caregivers who carry it. Learn more in The Big Four.
Will I be responsible for the caregiver’s taxes?
Caregivers referred through a registry are self-employed and responsible for their own taxes, and their earnings are reported on Form 1099. For your own situation, get advice from a tax professional rather than a competitor trying to win your business. Learn more in The Big Four.