Home Care in Bradenton, FL

The quiet oceanside city of Bradenton has nearly 60,000 residents and a large older adult community that makes up over a quarter of its population. It’s among the more budget-friendly cities in Florida, with the overall cost of living and health care expenses coming in below state and national averages. These are important factors to consider when deciding whether home care may be a viable option that lets you age in place. On top of that, Florida doesn’t have a state income tax, so you keep more of your retirement income. The city’s climate is warm year-round, with highs ranging from 71 to 91 degrees, giving you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

Bradenton is best known for its breathtaking natural surroundings, featuring white sandy beaches, fishing spots and paved walking paths at its many parks. When the weather is too warm to enjoy the outdoors, points of interest such as the sprawling Red Barn Flea Market, the Manatee Downtown Central Library and the Ellenton Outlet Mall provide fun afternoon escapes. To make it easy for you to navigate the city without a vehicle, there’s a reliable, easy-to-use public transportation system, which you can ride for a discounted fare if you’re aged 60 or over.

The Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey discloses that home care services in the Bradenton region cost approximately $4,385 per month. Home health care, which includes the same personal care and chore services as home care but also features basic skilled nursing services, is nearly $200 per month higher at $4,576.

Home care fees are calculated based on 44 hours of weekly services at an hourly rate of $23. Home health care is a little pricier at $24 per hour. Your care costs may be higher or lower, depending on how many hours of in-home care you need per week.

The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities

Compared to Florida as a whole, Bradenton is a pricey option for home-based care, with home care and home health care fees exceeding the statewide averages. However, its home health care fees are on par with the national average, and its home care costs are roughly $100 per month less than national figures. In Jacksonville, home care agencies typically charge $4,385 per month for services, which is the same as in Bradenton. In Miami and Tallahassee, monthly rates tend to be lower at $3,623 and $4,124, respectively. All three of these cities are more economical for those seeking home health care services, with fees coming in at $4,433 per month in Jacksonville, $4,290 in Tallahassee and $3,813 in the Miami area.

Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.

Manatee County Senior Services

What You Should Know
The county’s Senior Services Division manages a broad array of programs to help you remain in your home or the home of a caregiver. It has a team of trained case managers who can link you with services in the community. The division also helps you obtain free or low-cost homemaker services, personal care, home-delivered meals and nonemergency medical transportation. It also covers periodic respite care and provides qualifying seniors who need round-the-clock care with a regular stipend to help cover services.

Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible to obtain services through the county, you must be a permanent resident of Manatee County and at least 60 years old. With some programs, you must meet additional eligibility requirements related to your annual income and how many people live in your home.

How to Get Started
To find out more about the services available through the county, call the Senior Services Division at (941) 749-3030. You can also set up an appointment for an in-person meeting at the main office, which is located at 1112 Manatee Avenue West in Bradenton.

Senior Connection Center, Inc.

What You Should Know
Senior Connection Center is the local Area Agency on Aging and serves residents through a variety of programs. Through this agency, you can get in-home care information, including help with applying for the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program, which may help cover services. The agency has free health and wellness courses that focus on balance, falls prevention and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which can help you safeguard your independence. It also operates the Elder Helpline with representatives who can connect you with community-based programs, such as home-delivered meals and transportation services.

Who Is Eligible?
These programs are available to all Bradenton residents aged 60 and over. In some cases, you may need to undergo a screening process to determine your eligibility for specific services.

How to Get Started
Obtain services through the agency by calling its Elder Helpline at (800) 336-2226. You may also schedule a face-to-face meeting at its office, which is located about 40 miles north of Bradenton at 8928 Brittany Way in Tampa.

Step Up Suncoast

What You Should Know
Step Up Suncoast is the local Community Action Partnership that provides services to qualifying households in the Bradenton region. This nonprofit agency offers several programs that may enable you to maintain your independence and safety at home, including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, free volunteer-based tax assistance, Season of Sharing and a weatherization program.

Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for energy assistance, tax preparation assistance and the Season of Sharing Program, you must meet income guidelines. The weatherization program requires that your home undergoes pre-inspection and diagnostic testing to determine eligibility.

How to Get Started
To find out more about the eligibility requirements for these programs or to schedule consultations, you can call the main office at (941) 827-0188. You can also visit the Manatee County office, which is at 6428 Parkland Drive in Sarasota.

Manatee County Veterans Services

What You Should Know
Manatee County’s Veterans Services Office provides free assistance for veterans in the county. If you served in the armed forces, you might be eligible for benefits that can help you cover home care, including the Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefit, the VA pension or service-related disability compensation. At the Veterans Services Office, representatives provide expert guidance on understanding the claim process, gathering the necessary paperwork and appealing denied claims.

Who Is Eligible?
Assistance through the county’s Veterans Services Office is available to you if you are a veteran, a veteran’s dependent, a surviving spouse or child of a veteran, or a reservist or member of the National Guard.

How to Get Started
To make an appointment at the office, which is located in Bradenton at 1401 3rd Avenue West, call the main phone line at (941) 745-3795.

Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee

What You Should Know
Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee is a nonprofit agency that provides low-cost or free meals to Bradenton residents. Each meal includes a serving of protein, one to two servings of starch, one to two servings of vegetables and a dessert. Also, pureed meals are available by request. The agency delivers on weekdays between 10:45 a.m. and 11:45 p.m., and frozen meals are available on weekends, holidays and during bad weather. The agency also provides meals at congregate meal sites, as well as additional services such as pet food, fresh fruit and vegetable deliveries and commodity bags with shelf-stable food.

Who Is Eligible?
Anyone in Manatee County is eligible for home-delivered meals through the local Meals on Wheels agency, with hot, fresh meals costing $7. However, you may be eligible to receive meals for a reduced cost or free if you’re at least 60 years old, are housebound, have recently been discharged from the hospital or have difficulty shopping for or preparing meals for yourself.

How to Get Started
To sign up for meal service or to get more information about the other programs, you can call the organization at (941) 747-4655.