Respite care is a planned, temporary stay at a skilled nursing facility while the primary caregiver takes time away. It’s not an emergency placement. It’s not a permanent move. It’s a short-term arrangement — a few days, a week, two weeks, sometimes longer — where your family member receives the same level of care as a permanent resident: private suite, 24-hour licensed nursing, medication management, meals in our bistro dining room, daily activity programming, and access to our physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy services when ordered by a physician. At Dolphin Pointe, respite residents live on our waterfront campus on the St. Johns River — the same private suites, the same dining room, and the same courtyards that our permanent residents enjoy. Many families use respite stays as a trial run before making a long-term care decision — a chance to see the facility, meet the staff, and watch how their loved one responds to the environment before committing to anything permanent.

Respite residents at Dolphin Pointe receive the same care and services as permanent residents. Every respite guest stays in a private suite with a private bath — no shared rooms. Our licensed nursing team manages all medications, monitors medical conditions, and responds to needs around the clock. Meals are served in our bistro-style dining room with other residents — not on a tray in the room. Our daily activity calendar runs seven days a week: social gatherings, creative programs, music events, outdoor time in our waterfront courtyards, and family visiting events. Your loved one isn’t sitting in a room watching television for two weeks. They’re part of a community from the first day.

For respite residents with rehabilitation needs, our therapy services are available during the stay. A patient whose caregiver is away for two weeks can continue physical therapy or occupational therapy without interruption — something a home-based caregiver break can’t provide. Our skilled nursing team handles wound care, diabetic monitoring, catheter care, and any other clinical needs your loved one has — so you don’t have to arrange separate home health visits while you’re away. And because our facility is a full rehabilitation center, respite residents who would benefit from aquatic therapy or balance training during their stay can receive it. Patients from Arlington, University Park, Fairways Forest, and across Jacksonville use our respite program for stays ranging from three days to several weeks.

Caregiver burnout is one of the most serious and least discussed health crises in Duval County. An estimated 65 million Americans provide unpaid care to a family member — and the physical and emotional toll is well documented. Caregivers have higher rates of depression, anxiety, chronic pain, sleep disorders, and cardiovascular disease than non-caregivers. In Jacksonville’s growing population of older adults, that translates to thousands of spouses, adult children, and family members whose own health is declining because they won’t take a break. Respite care gives the caregiver time to recover — to sleep, to see their own doctor, to visit family, to take a vacation, to do nothing for a few days — while knowing their loved one is safe, fed, medicated correctly, and engaged in a real community.

Finding a respite facility in Duval County that offers private rooms, 24-hour nursing, and a residential environment — rather than a hospital ward with a bed available — is harder than families expect. Many skilled nursing facilities treat respite as an afterthought: a spare bed in a shared room when census is low. At Dolphin Pointe, respite is a defined program with its own admissions process, its own care planning, and the same private suite standard we provide to every resident. Our 60-acre waterfront campus, bistro dining, outdoor courtyards, and daily activity programming make the respite stay feel like a stay — not a placement. Families from Colony Cove, Springfield, San Marco, Mandarin, Riverside, and across Duval County use our respite program regularly — some schedule the same two weeks every year so the caregiver gets a consistent break built into their calendar.

1. Initial call and needs assessment. Call 904-914-8801 or contact us online. Our admissions team asks about your loved one’s medical needs, medications, daily care requirements, dietary needs, and the length of stay you’re looking for. We verify insurance and discuss costs up front — no surprises.

2. Pre-admission planning. Before the stay, our clinical team reviews all medical records, medication lists, physician orders, and care preferences. We build a temporary care plan that covers nursing, meals, activities, and any therapy services ordered during the stay. Your loved one’s physicians are contacted to coordinate continuity of care.

3. Move-in and orientation. On arrival day, your loved one is settled into their private suite. Our staff introduces the nursing team, walks through daily routines — meal times, activity schedule, visiting hours — and answers every question you and your family member have. The goal is for your loved one to feel comfortable and for you to leave feeling confident they’re in good hands.

4. During the stay and pickup. Your loved one participates in meals, activities, and social life at the facility. Nursing monitors medications and medical needs around the clock. If therapy is part of the plan, sessions continue on schedule. We keep you updated during the stay — a quick call or message to let you know how things are going. When the stay ends, we provide a summary of care and any recommendations for continued support at home.

Respite care is part of our skilled nursing care services at Dolphin Pointe Health Care. We also offer medication management, long-term care, and wound care services under our nursing home program in Jacksonville, FL.

Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish — it’s what keeps you able to take care of the person who depends on you. Schedule a tour and see our facility before you book the stay. Walk the private suites. See the dining room and courtyards. Meet the nursing staff. Tours are free and available seven days a week. Call 904-914-8801. We serve families from Arlington, University Park, Springfield, San Marco, Riverside, Mandarin, Orange Park, Regency, Downtown Jacksonville, and the Beaches communities.

Dolphin Pointe Health Care
5355 Dolphin Point Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32211
Phone: 904-914-8801
Open 24 Hours