Home Care in Fort Myers, FL

With beaches, fishing destinations and retail outlets, Fort Myers has much to offer, even beyond Florida’s famously great weather and lack of state income taxes. Fort Myers has been ranked as one of Florida’s most desirable places to retire, and the city’s demographics reflect that: Of its 87,103 residents, 22% are seniors 65 years of age or older.

To unwind, seniors can take advantage of Fort Myers’s 18-hole golf courses, which appeal to both novices and experienced golfers. Lovers of natural beauty will feel at home here as well: Fort Myers is known as the City of Palms because of its palm trees, and the city takes good care of them. Parks including John Yarbrough Linear Park and Lakes Park offer dedicated spaces for activities such as hiking and birding.

If you love learning, you can expand your knowledge at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates and the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, among other attractions. When you’re looking to go shopping, you can find over 100 stores at the Gulf Coast Town Center. Fort Myers also is home to a thriving restaurant scene that is especially strong when it comes to seafood.

The Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey reports that in Fort Myers, the average monthly cost for home care is $4,576, and for home health care, it is $4,767. The latter care option offers limited medical services, and both offer personal assistance that includes help with household tasks.

Those estimates are based on a senior who needs 44 hours of care per week. If you need more or fewer hours of care, your costs may increase or decrease accordingly. The hourly rates for each service break down to $24 for home care and $25 for home health care.

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

Among nearby coastal cities, Fort Myers’s rates for home care and home health care are fairly typical. For instance, in Naples, seniors pay slightly more for both services. Meanwhile, in Punta Gorda, the rate is the same as in Fort Myers for home care, but it is slightly lower for home health care. Farther inland, the story changes: Sebring offers significantly lower home care and home health care rates than Fort Myers at $4,099 on average.

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.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

What You Should Know
Seniors may be eligible for help covering utility bills through LIHEAP, which is administered by Lee County Human and Veteran Services. Help is subject to fund availability, and applicants should continue paying their bills while their applications are being processed.

Who Is Eligible?
Income limits apply and are based on household size. For instance, as of this guide’s publication, a single-person household has an annual income limit of $18,735, while a two-person household’s limit is $25,365. Additionally, receiving aid more than once per 12 months is generally not possible, barring a past-due bill.

How to Get Started
To apply, you will need to submit supporting documentation, including but not limited to any available Social Security, SSI and VA award letters, plus information on wages and pension payments. Failure to submit all paperwork with your application may cause delays or denial. You may apply online or request a printed application by calling (239) 533-7900. Printed applications should be dropped off at or mailed to Lee County Human and Veteran Services at 2440 Thompson St., Fort Myers, FL 33901. Another option is to email your application to [email protected].

Home Repair and Rehabilitation

What You Should Know
If your home needs repairs to address health and safety concerns or structural integrity issues, it may be eligible for the Home Repair and Rehabilitation Program. This initiative is run by Fort Myers. Certain pressing repairs will receive emergency priority.

Who Is Eligible?
This program is open to Fort Myers residents who are also U.S. citizens or residents. Income limits apply, and you must occupy the home and be up-to-date on mortgage and property tax payments. Your home must also not be excessively cluttered or involved in probate, foreclosure or bankruptcy proceedings. It must be homesteaded. Additionally, hazard and flood insurance may be required.

How to Get Started
For this program, you can apply online. Alternatively, you may call (239) 321-7965.

Community Cooperative

What You Should Know
Community Cooperative is an organization focused on preventing hunger and homelessness. Its Meals on Wheels program offers home-delivered meals on a daily basis. The delivery volunteers also check on clients during visits. Short-term and long-term delivery plans are available. For instance, a client can sign up to receive meals just while they recuperate from an illness or surgery, or they may enroll for extended service that eases the process of aging in place. Additionally, clients with pets can sign up to receive pet food deliveries. In certain areas of Fort Myers, Community Cooperative also operates mobile food pantries, which provide food and wellness checks.

Who Is Eligible?
The Meals on Wheels program focuses on seniors and individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Each household is eligible for assistance from the food pantries once per month.

How to Get Started
To sign up for Meals on Wheels, you can apply online. You may also complete and submit your application through email to [email protected] or print and mail it to Community Cooperative, Attn: Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 2143, Fort Myers, FL 33902-3429. For questions about Meals on Wheels, call (239) 337-1055. If you have questions about the mobile food pantries or Community Cooperative in general, call (239) 332-7687.

Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida

What You Should Know
The AAASWFL coordinates many prominent senior programs that serve Fort Myers. It runs the Elder Helpline, which is a conduit for information and referrals regarding senior-focused services. The AAASWFL is also Fort Myers residents’ local access point for the Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders Medicare counseling program. SHINE helps older adults choose coverage plans and navigate claims and appeals, among other matters.

Another AAASWFL program is Home and Community-Based Care, through which home health aide, housekeeping and transportation services are available. Older adults may also be able to access home-delivered meals and personal care assistance. Shopping and legal support are other components of this program. Additionally, caregivers may be eligible for training and respite services.

Who Is Eligible?
Generally, the AAASWFL works with seniors and their families and caregivers, all of whom may call the Elder Helpline. The Home and Community-Based Care program is geared toward adults 60 years of age and up.

How to Get Started
To Elder Helpline’s number is (866) 413-5337. Through that number, you can learn more about accessing other services. You can also reach the AAASWFL through its general number, which is (239) 652-6900, or by sending an email to [email protected].

Lee County Veteran Assistance

What You Should Know
Lee County has a team dedicated to helping military veterans and their families obtain benefits. Through this team, senior veterans can find help accessing their pensions and Aid and Attendance benefits. The team also helps with disability compensation and appeals as well as burial and health benefits.

Who Is Eligible?
Lee County offers these services to veterans and their surviving spouses and dependents. Many veterans’ benefits require a discharge status other than dishonorable.

How to Get Started
You can get in touch with the Veteran Assistance staff by calling (239) 533-8381 or emailing [email protected].