This webpage is intended to help Florida residents understand the cost of assisted living, home care, and adult day care throughout the state, as well as the wide range in pricing. It also explores the payment options and financial assistance programs available at the state level to assist in caring for the elderly, be that in residential care or for aging in place at home.
The programs outlined here are comprehensive of what is available from the state of Florida, but not of what is available nationally. Search for assistance nationwide and the program that will most benefit you by using our Resource Locator Tool
Florida Elder Care Costs for 2024
Assisted Living / Memory Care
The average cost of assisted living in Florida, according to Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey, is $4,750 per month. However, the range of costs across the state varies greatly, with an average low of $2,295 / month and an average high of $8,055 / month. The most affordable areas of the state for assisted living are Punta Gorda, Orlando, Ocala, Crestview and Pensacola. In these regions the monthly average cost ranges from $2,295 – $3,969.
The areas of Sebring, North Port, Tampa and Palm Bay have an average monthly cost fairly consistent with the state average. The average cost in these areas is between $4,213 and $4,965. The most expensive assisted living in Florida is found in and around Jacksonville and Tallahassee. Here, the monthly costs range from $6,745 – $8,055.
Typically, assisted living for Alzheimer’s patients costs approximately 20% – 30% more. On average, Florida assisted living communities will charge an additional $575 – $2,015 / month for Alzheimer’s / memory care, which offers a higher level of supervision and security.
Home Care
In Florida, per Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey, the hourly rate for home care is, on average, $30 per hour. The most affordable home care is found in Tampa, Orlando and Crestview, where the average hourly rate is between $21 and $26. The highest cost of home care is found in North Port, at $35 / hour.
Home health care is also available and, on average, costs the same as regular home care at $30. That said, there are some areas of the state where the average hourly cost is quite higher. These areas include Punta Gorda ($47 / hour), Ocala ($43 / hour) and North Port ($35 / hour).
Adult Day Care
In Florida, according to Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey, the average daily rate paid for adult day care is $93. While this may seem pricey, adult day care is still, by far, the most affordable type of senior care available. The lowest cost adult day care can be found in Naples, Cape Coral, Orlando and Tallahassee, where the daily rate is around $40 – $75. The highest priced adult day care is found in the areas around Sebring, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Panama City, where the costs range from $138 – $90 per day.
Florida Medicaid Financial Assistance Programs
Medicaid Programs & Waivers for the Elderly
Medicaid is health insurance for low-income and disabled individuals and seniors. Long-term care was originally provided as institutional care only (nursing home care). But now Medicaid offers services in the home and in the “community” with the design of reducing nursing home placements.
In 2014, Florida rolled out the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long Term Care program, which replaced all of the state’s HCBS (Home and Community Based Services) Medicaid Waivers. Under SMMC-LTC, a broad range of care services and non-care support are provided to financially and medically eligible persons. Benefits include personal care assistance, home-delivered meals, respite care, home modifications, and many others.
Some services, such as personal care assistance and attendant nursing care, can be participant directed. This means program participants are able to hire, train, and manage the caregiver of their choice, including relatives.
Medicaid Eligibility
Financially, Florida Medicaid considers both the income and assets (resources) of applicants. For an individual applicant in 2024, monthly income cannot exceed $2,829, which is 300% of the Federal Benefit Rate. If married and both spouses are applicants, their monthly income must be less than $5,658. Assets, which do not include a home (with equity up to $713,000) or primary vehicle, must be valued at less than $2,000 for individuals, or $3,000 for a couple with both spouses applying.
Note that if one spouse is entering a nursing home or receiving long-term home and community based services, the other non-applicant spouse is allowed to hold assets greater than that amount. As of 2024, this figure can be as much as $154,140 and is called a community spouse resource allowance.
It is also important to note that persons with income and resources over these limits can still become eligible for Medicaid in Florida. Working with a Medicaid planning professional, monthly income greater than the limit can be allocated to income trusts. And some financial assets in excess of the limit can be converted into exempt assets. For individuals that are near the financial limits, it is strongly recommended they consult with a Medicaid planning professional before application to ensure the best possibility of acceptance into Medicaid.
Incorrectly reallocating income and / or assets can result in Medicaid ineligibility. For instance, in Florida, Medicaid has a 5-year Look Back Period. This is a period of time in which the Medicaid agency looks at all asset transfers immediately preceding Medicaid application to ensure assets were not given away or sold under fair market value. If an applicant has violated the look back rule, it is assumed it was done to meet the asset limit, and he / she will be penalized with a period of Medicaid ineligibility.
Florida Non-Medicaid Assistance Programs
Florida offers six programs for non-Medicaid eligible seniors that provide services, supports, and financial assistance for eldercare.
OSS is a financial grant for low-income individuals who live in residential care, be that an adult family care home or an assisted living residence. This payment goes toward the fees of room and board.&
Respite for Elders Living in Everyday Families (R.E.L.I.E.F.) is a free respite care program. Respite care is provided in-home.
ADI provides a variety of supports for Alzheimer’s patients and their families and caregivers. Extended out-of-home respite, up to 30 days, is one such benefit.
CCE is designed for individuals at risk of nursing home placement but are not qualified for Medicaid. A variety of supports are available, including adult day care, personal care, disposable medical supplies, and legal assistance.
The HCE program is unique in that it is designed to support caregivers, rather than care recipients. It provides direct financial assistance that helps the caregiver provide basic supports for the care recipient, as well as medical equipment that is deemed necessary.
The Local Services Programs are a mix of services that vary depending on the area of the state. But it can include group meals, non-medical transportation, personal emergency response systems, and caregiver training.
PACE Programs in Florida
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a joint initiative between Medicare and Medicaid to help seniors get the care and services they need in the community rather than transitioning to a nursing home for care. Because Medicaid differs in each state, PACE eligibility varies between states.
In Florida, PACE programs coordinate a wide range of services including primary care, hospital care, medical specialty services, personal care, prescription drugs and social services. To qualify for PACE in this state, individuals must:
- Be 55 years of age or older
- Be at risk of institutionalization
- Reside in the designated PACE service area
- Be able to live safely in the community
How To Get Started With PACE in Florida
To find eligibility criteria for PACE in Florida, services included, and how to apply, visit the state’s Medicaid website or contact the nearest PACE provider listed below.
Other Financial Options for Care
In addition to the state specific options that help pay for care, there are many non-profit and federal options. It is strongly recommended you use our Resource Locator Tool to find other programs that help pay for or reduce the cost of care. This presents the best scenario to find the program that best meets your needs. There are also programs that help veterans with assisted living, aw well as eldercare loans, available in Florida.
Finding Affordable Care in Florida
To help families find affordable care in Florida, we’ve partnered with several organizations that maintain databases of care providers. Through these partnerships we are able to provide free services that match an individual’s specific care needs with affordable care providers in their preferred geographic area. Click here to get started.
Eldercare Financial Assistance Locator
- Discover all of your options
- Search over 400 Programs
Top Cities for Senior Care in Florida
For more information about the costs and resources available in Florida cities, click on the links below.
Top Cities for Memory Care
Top Cities for Assisted Living
