The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Port Charlotte, FL

The Cost of Senior Living and Care in Port Charlotte

Assisted living is the only level of care that is cheaper in Port Charlotte compared to the state average, and that’s only by $100 a month. According to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care Survey, all other levels of senior care in the area are more expensive on average compared to Florida as a whole.

Note: Data on the average cost of senior care wasn’t available for Port Charlotte, so the data for the closest city, Punta Gorda, was used.

How much does Assisted Living Cost in Port Charlotte?

In Port Charlotte, assisted living costs are lower than both the state and national averages; it is $100 cheaper than the state and $600 cheaper than the national average. Compared to nearby areas, Port Charlotte provides an affordable alternative. In North Port, costs are about $475 a month higher, and in Cape Coral it averages $600 more than Port Charlotte.

The most expensive area for assisted living that is relatively close is Naples at $5,448 a month, and the least expensive is Sebring at $3,038 a month.

How much does Home Care Cost in Port Charlotte?

In Port Charlotte, the cost of in-home care services is an average of $4,385 a month, which is over $500 more expensive than the state average. In nearby North Port, costs are more in line with the state average at $3,813 a month.

Port Charlotte is the most expensive area in the region for home health care, followed by Naples and Cape Coral at $4,195 and $3,909 a month, respectively.

How much does Adult Day Care Cost in Port Charlotte?

Adult day care services in Port Charlotte cost an average of $1,733 a month, making it more expensive than the state average by about 20 percent. Compared to nearby areas, it is cheaper than North Port at $1,907 a month but more expensive than Cape Coral at $1,571 a month.

The cheapest adult day health care that is relatively close to Port Charlotte can be found in Sebring at $1,408 a month. The most expensive areas for this level of care are North Port and Tampa, both with averages of $1,907 a month.

How much does Nursing Home Costs in Port Charlotte?

Port Charlotte nursing homes are among some of the most expensive in the state with an average monthly cost of $8,502 compared to the Florida average of $8,152. Nearby areas, such as North Port, are even more costly at $8,669 a month while Cape Coral is slightly cheaper at $8,304.

In Naples, average costs are almost $2,000 a month higher, while the cheapest area in relatively close proximity is Sebring with an average about $1,400 a month lower.

Financial Assistance Programs in Port Charlotte

Medicaid Program in Port Charlotte

The federal government provides assistance to low-income residents who require various medical services through the Medicaid program. However, individual states can create Medicaid programs and waivers on a statewide level with their own eligibility requirements. In Florida, seniors will be most interested in the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program, otherwise known as the SMMC.

The SMMC program started in 2014 as an alternative to all of the Medicaid waivers that the state government issued before this time. The available services include prescription drugs, visits to a doctor, hospitalization, mental health treatment and, if needed, transportation to and from applicable services. This program also covers some long-term care and all Medicaid dental services.

Low-income seniors who need help paying for their stay at a facility, such as assisted living or nursing homes, or in-home services, should take advantage of the Long-Term Care (LTC) part of Florida’s Medicaid. The LTC program provides these services for any adult who has been assessed as needing a nursing home level of care.

It is important to note that financial help from Medicaid to pay for assisted living or in-home care is not considered an entitlement in Florida, generally resulting in applicants being placed on a waiting list. However, nursing home care is an entitlement, which means that anyone eligible will receive services immediately if they are currently living in, or transferring to, a nursing home.

Florida Medicaid eligibility requirements:

• At least 65 years of age, or a disabled adult by SSA standards
• Legal resident of Florida
• Require a nursing facility level of care
• At or below the maximum income and asset limits ($2,313 per month, or $4,626 as a couple in 2019)

To apply for Florida’s SMMC program, call or visit an Area Agency on Aging. The closest AAA for Port Charlotte residents is the Southwest Florida office which can be contacted at (239) 652-6900.Read more about the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program in our SMMC guide.

Other Financial Assistance Programs in Port Charlotte

Optional State Supplement (OSS)

A large percentage of low-income seniors are already receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits from the federal government. However, as with Medicaid, individual states can create their own programs. Florida has done so with their Optional State Supplement (OSS) program which provides payments in addition to the federal benefits.

OSS benefits can be used to pay for assisted living, mental health treatment facilities and adult family care homes that are licensed by the state.

Read more about Florida’s Optional State Supplement program in our OSS guide.

Community Care for the Elderly (CCE)

Port Charlotte seniors who are not eligible for Medicaid but need a nursing facility level of care may be able to receive assistance through Florida’s Community Care for the Elderly program. CCE is funded by the state so that it can save money by deferring placement in expensive nursing facilities for as long as possible by helping seniors stay at home or in other facilities. Services available in this program include adult day care and day health care, case management, in-home help and emergency repairs, meal delivery, medical supplies and transportation.

Read more about Florida’s Community Care for the Elderly program in our CCE guide.

Respite for Elders Living in Everyday Families (RELIEF)

This program was created specifically to help caregivers who are managing seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s or other memory-related issues, and those who are unable to safely live alone. RELIEF can provide temporary caregivers to give the primary caregiver a break, and it can also provide companionship with volunteers based on matching hobbies, personalities and skills. In Port Charlotte, the Southwest Florida Area Agency on Aging is responsible for enrolling seniors in the program.

Read more about this program in our RELIEF guide.

Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative (ADI)

The ADI is another state-run program that was created to temporarily relieve caregivers of their duties. In this case, however, it is possible to receive extended respite of up to 30 days in which the caregiver gets a break while their loved one stays at a residential facility with memory care capabilities. This program cannot be used by anyone enrolled in a Medicaid long-term care (LTC) program.

Read more about Florida’s Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative in our ADI guide.

Home Care for the Elderly (HCE)

Caregivers of low-income seniors in the Port Charlotte area may also benefit from the HCE program. This program is for seniors who remain at home or in the house of their caregiver, and all payments are given directly to the caregiver. Payments cover goods and services, such as food and clothing, medical equipment and services, home nursing and housing costs.

Read more about the Home Care for the Elderly program in our HCE guide.

More Senior Living Resources in Port Charlotte