Cost of Assisted Living in Sarasota, Florida

Page Reviewed / Updated - April 27, 2024

This guide provides an overview of senior care in Sarasota, from home care to nursing homes, with the average monthly cost of each type of care. Financial assistance programs available in the area are covered along with other useful options, such as low-income senior apartments. For more information on the cost and financial assistance programs at a statewide level, read the overview of paying for senior care in Florida.

The Cost of Senior Living and Care in Sarasota

In the Sarasota area, senior care in general is slightly more expensive than the state average. According to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care Survey, all types of senior care in Sarasota have a higher average monthly cost than the rest of Florida.

Note:Data on the average cost of senior care wasn't available for Sarasota, so the data for the closest major city, North Port, was used.

How much does Assisted Living Cost in Sarasota?

The average cost of assisted living in Sarasota is $3,874 a month, which is an increase of roughly 10 percent from the cost in Florida as a whole. In nearby Tampa the cost averages around $600 less per month, which is comparable to other large cities, such as Miami and Orlando.

The cheapest area in the state is Lakeland, with assisted living costs at an average of $2,808 a month, while the most expensive area is The Villages at $5,031 a month.

How much does Home Care Cost in Sarasota?

The average cost of home care in the Sarasota area is $3,813 a month, which is based on the annual rate, assuming 44 hours of care each week. This makes the Sarasota area costs almost identical to the Florida average of $3,804 a month.

In nearby Tampa, home health care is slightly less expensive than Sarasota at $3,718 a month. The cheapest area in the state is Sebring at an average of $3,051 a month, while the most expensive areas are Punta Gorda and Panama City, both with an average of $4,385 a month.

How much does Adult Day Care Cost in Sarasota?

The cost of adult day care in Sarasota averages $1,907 a month, which is about 30 percent more expensive than the state average of $1,463. In nearby Tampa, the average cost is the same at $1,907.

The cheapest areas for adult day care in Florida are Tallahassee and Orlando at $1,246 and $1,300 a month respectively. The most expensive area is Jacksonville at $2,080 a month.

How much does Nursing Home Costs in Sarasota?

Sarasota has one of the highest average costs for nursing home care in all of Florida at $8,669 a month for a semi-private room compared to the state average of $8,152. In nearby Tampa, the average cost per month is around $300 cheaper than Sarasota.

The most expensive area for nursing home care is Naples with an average of $10,319 a month, while the least expensive area is Jacksonville at $7,118 a month.

Financial Assistance Programs in Sarasota

Medicaid Program in Sarasota

In Sarasota, seniors can benefit from the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program (SMMC). The SMMC program is comprised of three main plans:

• Long-Term Care (LTC)

• Managed Medical Assistance (MMA)

• Dental Program

Applicants must choose one or more of these plans.

Seniors who need home care, or those in an assisted living or a nursing facility, should apply for the Long-Term Care (LTC) program. The Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) program covers other services, such as doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital care, mental health care and transportation for approved purposes.

To be eligible, the applicant must:

• Be a legal resident of Florida

• Be at least 65 years old (or disabled by Social Security standards if under 65

• Have been assessed as needing a nursing facility level of care

• Meet the Medicaid financial requirements for individuals (income limit of $2,313 per month) or couples (limit of $4,626 per month)

In Florida, Medicaid for nursing homes is an entitlement, which means that all seniors who meet the financial eligibility requirements are guaranteed to receive help paying for their nursing home stay. However, Medicaid benefits are not guaranteed for all seniors in assisted living or in-home care; there is a waiting list.

To apply for the Long-Term Care (LTC) program, seniors or their guardians should contact the local Area Agency on Aging, which is the Southwest Florida branch for Sarasota residents. Another option is to call the Elder Helpline at (800) 262-2243 to request an interview for home and community based services.

For more information, including eligibility requirements and help applying for these services, read our detailed SMMC guide.

Other Financial Assistance Programs

Optional State Supplementation (OSS)

Sarasota residents aged 65 and above may be eligible for the OSS program, which helps to pay for room and board in approved categories of residential care. This covers seniors who have been assessed as needing residential care, such as in an adult family care home, assisted living facility or a mental health residential treatment facility. Income and asset requirements include:

• A limit of $828.40 for individuals in family care homes or assisted living

• A limit of $1,6,56.80 for couples in family care homes or assisted living

• A limit of $935.00 for individuals in a mental health facility

• A limit of $1,870.00 for couples in a mental health facility

• A limit of $2,000 in individual assets

• A limit of $3,000 in joint assets

Applications can be filled out at  Florida's Department of Children and Families. Read our OSS guide for more information.

Community Care for the Elderly (CCE)

The CCE program is for Sarasota residents aged 60 and above who have been assessed and determined to be functionally impaired but would prefer to remain living in the community as opposed to a residential facility.

If approved for the CCE program, seniors are eligible to receive various goods and services, such as adult day care, companionship, homemaker services, home health aides, meal delivery, shopping assistance, transportation and more.

Read our CCE guide for more detailed information on eligibility, benefits, services and help in applying for this program.

Respite for Elders Living in Everyday Families (RELIEF)

Sarasota residents who act as caregivers for seniors aged 60 and above who are unable to care for themselves, or those diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia, can apply for the RELIEF program. This is a free program designed to reduce the need for nursing home placement by allowing seniors to live with family. In Sarasota, RELIEF is managed by the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida.

Read our RELIEF guide for more detailed information on the program including eligibility requirements, benefits and help in applying.

Alzheimer's Disease Initiative (ADI)

The ADI provides seniors and their caregivers in Sarasota with support through education and services related to Alzheimer's, dementia and other memory disorders. Services include short-term respite care, either in-home or in a facility, such as an adult day care center, as well as longer-term respite of up to 30 days in a residential memory care community.

This program can't be used by anyone enrolled in a Medicaid funded long-term care program. Read more about the eligibility requirements, benefits and how to apply in our ADI guide.

Home Care for the Elderly (HCE)

HCE is another program for caregivers that provides payments to help care for low-income seniors. In this program, seniors may either live in their own home or the caregiver's residence. HCE payments are split into two categories: basic and special. Basic payments cover housing, food, clothing and medical services. Special payments cover various medical items and services, such as equipment and home nursing.

All payments are given directly to the caregiver, as opposed to most similar programs around the country that pay the person being treated. Read our HCE guide for more detailed information on this program including eligibility, services and how to apply.

More Senior Living Resources in Sarasota