Cost of Assisted Living in Jacksonville, Florida

Page Reviewed / Updated - April 26, 2024

This guide provides information on the cost of senior care in Jacksonville such as available financial assistance programs, community services in the area and more resources including affordable senior apartments. For broader information about costs and financial assistance available in the rest of the state, read our guide to paying for senior care in Florida.

The Cost of Senior Living and Care in Jacksonville

Senior care in Jacksonville is among the most costly in the area when compared to nearby cities and the overall state median for most services, according to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care Survey. Adult Day Care services in particular for Jacksonville are among the highest at $2,080 per month, 30% more than the state median, and 22% more than The Villages, the city that is closest in cost. Home care services, however, are among the lowest in the region at $3,670 a month, while other cities average costs between $3,813 and $3,909 per month.

How much does Assisted Living Cost in Jacksonville?

The average cost of assisted living in Jacksonville is $4,425 per month, $900 more than the state median of $3,500, and second highest in cost behind The Villages, which is $5,031 per month. Ocala is on the low end of cost at $3,275 per month, while other cities in the area average between $4,125 and $3,850 per month.   

How much does Home Care Cost in Jacksonville?

The cost of home care in Jacksonville is $3,670 per month. This works out to be about $21 per hour, if a 44 hour work week is assumed. This is about $130 less than the state average of $3,804, and it’s the second lowest when compared to other large cities in the area. The least expensive is The Villages at $3,527 and the highest is Daytona Beach at $3,909 per month.

How much does Adult Day Care Cost in Jacksonville?

Adult Day Care in Jacksonville costs the most in the region at $2,080, over $600 more than the state average of $1,463. The Villages has the second highest cost of $1,625, while Gainesville is the lowest of all the comparable nearby cities at $1,387. Other cities average between $1,408 and $1,463.

How much does Nursing Home Costs in Jacksonville?

The cost of nursing home care in Jacksonville is the least expensive in the state at $7,118 per month when compared to nearby cities, and is 13% lower in cost than the state average of $8,152. Other areas of the region average monthly costs between $7,452 and $8,076.

Financial Assistance Programs in Jacksonville

Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program (SMMC LTC)

This program was initiated in 2011 and divides service areas in the state into 11 regions, which are each served by a different Managed Healthcare Organization. Region 4 includes Duval County where the city of Jacksonville is located and is serviced by Humana, Sunshine and United Healthcare. Designed to meet the needs of seniors, the program provides home care services, transportation, nursing care, adult day care, medication management, and durable medical equipment for seniors regardless of place of residence.

This is a Medicaid entitlement program, which means anyone who satisfies eligibility criteria will receive benefits. Applicants must be 65 or older, residents of the state and meet income limits of $2000 per month for single applicants and $3,375 per month for married couples. More information on plans and the application process may be found on the Access Florida website, the Florida Managed Medicare website, or by calling (877) 711-3662 to speak to a counselor.

Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) Waivers

HCBS waivers allow seniors to age in place while still receiving vital services. The waivers typically include home care, adult day care, transportation to and from medical appointments, and often nursing. Some more specific waivers may include room and board, meals and a small cash stipend in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

Home Care for the Elderly (HCE)

Jacksonville seniors 60 or older who reside in the family home with caregivers that are family members and are low-income, may be able to receive a basic subsidy to provide for their care that typically includes medical costs. A secondary stipend is also obtainable, upon eligibility checks, that may be used to pay for needed services and durable medical supplies.

The program requires that the cost of care at home be less expensive than care in a facility, though applicants should have been assessed as “at risk” for nursing home placement. The income threshold is three times that of the requirement for Supplemental Security Income and asset levels for individuals should be no more than $2,000, and $3,000 for couples. Please visit the Florida Department of Elder Affairs website for more information and to locate a local area agency, or call (800) 9623-5337.

Institutional Care Program (ICP)

Low-income nursing facility residents or Jacksonville seniors 65 and older who face imminent placement in a nursing care facility, may be able to receive help paying for the cost of care and medical expenses through the Institutional Care Program.

While this is an entitlement program, applicants will need to prove their eligibility to receive benefits and have an asset limit of no more than $2,000 for single adults and $3,000 for couples. The income limit for the program is three times that of Supplemental Security Income and changes yearly. To obtain more information on the program and to apply, please visit the Access Florida website or call (866) 762-2237.

Community Care for the Elderly (CCE)

Seniors that can live at home with targeted care are the focus of this program. The needed care should rise to a nursing home level but can be done at home, with the costs being significantly lower than that of a facility. Eligible persons will be at least 60 years old and have been assessed as being at risk for nursing home placement.

Community-based services, home care, transportation, nursing, adult day care services, personal care, and home-delivered meals are some of the services that are provided. The program is administered on behalf of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (FEDA) through local area agencies on aging. To learn more about what services are available in Jacksonville or to get help with applying, please visit the FDEA website or call (800) 963-5337.

Assisted Living for the Elderly

Similar to the Community Care for the Elderly waiver, applicants for the Assisted Living for the Elderly program must require a nursing home level of care. In this instance, they must opt to receive that care in an assisted living facility, rather than at home. Qualified applicants will already reside in an assisted living facility, be 65 years or older or 60-64 and be designated as disabled by social security. Medicaid eligibility or already receiving Medicaid is a requirement, and applicants must need help completing at least four necessary tasks daily.

Applicants that do not currently reside in an assisted living facility, must have recently been discharged from a nursing facility and be unable to return home due to needing continuous nursing, personal care or the need for supervision. All services are provided inside an assisted living facility and include personal care, homemaker services, companion services, medication administration, intermittent nursing, and other services as deemed necessary. For more information and to find out how to apply, visit the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, or call (800) 963-5337.

Other Financial Assistance Programs

Medically Needy Medicaid Program

Medically Needy is a limited benefit program that is available to low-income seniors 65 and older that may not otherwise qualify for full Medicaid benefits due to assets or income. There is no monthly income threshold, and individuals should have countable assets that are less than $5,000 or $6,000 for couples. Applicants must prove that monthly medical costs such as prescriptions or supplies are more than their monthly income will allow them to purchase comfortably.

Once a determination is made, based on monthly income and the amount paid per month in medical expenses, Medicaid will pay the difference in total cost. For More information or to apply, visit the Access Florida website or call (866) 762-2237.

Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) Related Medicaid

SSI Related Medicaid is available automatically for seniors that are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Applicants may use the Access Florida website to complete their application for SSI Related Medicaid.

Applicants must already be receiving SSI benefits, or be eligible to receive benefits. If ineligible, the disqualification should be due only to income. There is a monthly income limit of $891 for individuals and $1,208 for couples. An asset threshold is also in place and requires single individuals to have no more than $5,000 in assets, while married couples may have combined assets of $6,000 or less.

Optional State Supplementation Program

Jacksonville seniors who reside in an assisted living facility or adult care home may be eligible to receive a monthly cash stipend that is used to pay for room and board if they are low-income or have no income. Unlike more traditional programs, payments are made directly to the resident and not the facility and are based on need as assessed by an adult services counselor.

If there is no income, seniors must apply for Supplemental Security Income which will be used as the baseline for determination of cash benefits. The income threshold for couples is $1,505 and $738 for individuals, asset limits are $3,000 and $2,000 respectively. Applicants must be 65 years old and reside in a licensed facility. More program information and electronic applications are available on the Access Florida website, or by calling (800) 963-5337.

Medicare Extra Help

The federally funded Extra Help program that helps with paying for prescription drugs is available to low-income seniors in Jacksonville. The program will pay for annual and monthly premiums as well as prescriptions once an applicant has been assessed as in need. The asset threshold is $14,390 for individuals and $28,720 for couples, with no monthly income threshold. Additional information about the program is available on the Social Security website or by calling (800) 772-1213 or (800) 963-5337.

More Senior Living Resources in Jacksonville