I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Melbourne, FL
Melbourne is a city of 84,674 residents, and 21% are seniors aged 65 and older. When you include residents aged 60 through 64, Melbourne has a significant population of older adults. You’ll find many activities in the community geared toward this demographic.
Melbourne has a senior-friendly cost-of-living. Overall, it’s almost 10 points lower than the national average, while the cost of health care is six points lower. Florida also offers many advantages for seniors, including no state tax on Social Security and other retirement income, and a homestead exemption that can reduce property taxes for those who qualify.
Located on the Atlantic Ocean, Melbourne offers beautiful beaches and lots of opportunities for outdoor recreation, and Orlando, with all its attractions and amusements, is just an hour’s drive to the northwest. Melbourne gets its fair share of rain, but no snow, and has more sunny days than the national average. The Best Places comfort index rates the city at 7/10, making it one of the more comfortable places to live in Florida. All of these factors help make Melbourne an attractive location to age in place with the assistance of home care services.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Melbourne, FL
According to the Genworth Cost Of Care Survey 2020, as a resident of Melbourne you can expect to pay $4,385 per month for either home care or home health care services. In many places in Florida, you’d pay a bit more for home health care because it offers homemaker as well as limited medical services.
The cost for in-home care is based on an average of 44 hours of services per week. Therefore, what you’ll pay for on a monthly basis depends on how many hours of assistance you need per week. Home care and home health care both cost $23 an hour, so you can use this figure to estimate what your average monthly cost might be.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Melbourne’s costs for home care and home health care are higher than what seniors pay in nearby cities. In Orlando, the average is $3,813 per month for both services, which is approximately $570 a month less than in Melbourne. Costs are similar in Sebastian where home care averages $4,338 and home health care averages $4,385 per month. Prices are lower in Lakeland, where home care costs an average of $3,956, and seniors pay $4,195 per month for home health care services.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
At $4,385 per month, the cost of home care and home health care compares favorably with the average rate of $4,100 charged by assisted living facilities in Melbourne. The least expensive option is adult day care, which typically costs $1,365 per month for weekday services provided in a group setting. A semiprivate room in a Melbourne nursing facility is the most expensive senior care option, with an average cost of $9,186 per month.
Note: Data for Melbourne was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Palm Bay, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Melbourne, FL
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Melbourne, FL.
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.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Melbourne, FL
Aging Matters In Brevard
What You Should Know
A private, nonprofit organization, Aging Matters In Brevard offers a variety of programs that can help you age in place successfully, including in-home care, transportation, a caregiver resource center and home improvements for accessibility and safety.
Who Is Eligible?
The programs offered through the organization may have specific eligibility requirements, so check with Aging Matters to determine whether you qualify for any program you may be interested in.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the available programs, you can call (321) 639-8770.
Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (DMV)
What You Should Know
The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs has trained and accredited veteran service officers who can help you access the benefits you’ve earned through your military service. These VSOs work out of the Brevard County office and can help you determine your eligibility and file applications for VA medical services, disability compensation, pensions and Housebound Allowance or Aid and Attendance pension supplements that may help you cover the cost of home care services.
Who Is Eligible?
As an honorably discharged member of the United States military, you may be eligible for a range of benefits offered by the state and federal government. Your spouse and dependents may also qualify for certain benefits.
How to Get Started
To speak with a VSO serving Brevard County, call (321) 633-2012.
Florida Elder Law
What You Should Know
Florida Elder Law, a program offered through the Department of Elder Affairs, is an online resource that helps low-income seniors get answers to questions and solve problems related to civil legal issues. You can get information about issues such as health care expenses, long-term care visitation rights, living wills, powers of attorney and housing concerns, among others. You can also call the Senior Legal Helpline for personalized advice on a wider range of matters, and obtain a referral for local legal assistance if needed.
Who Is Eligible?
The program’s online resources are available to all residents of Florida. The Senior Legal Helpline provides assistance to low-income seniors aged 60 and older. To qualify for help, you’ll need to meet certain income-based eligibility guidelines.
How to Get Started
You can contact the Senior Legal Helpline toll-free at (888) 895-7873, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Florida SHINE
What You Need to Know
Seniors and caregivers, particularly those who may be aging in place, often have questions about Medicare. The trained volunteer counselors who work with the Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE) program can provide free, unbiased and confidential counseling about Medicare and your other health insurance options. You can get answers about Original Medicare, Medigap and prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage plans and long-term care insurance. Counselors can also provide information about programs that may help lower your costs for prescription drugs. Additionally, the agency hosts virtual Medicare classes on an ongoing basis.
Who Is Eligible?
If you’re eligible for Medicare, you or your caregiver can set up a one-on-one meeting with a SHINE counselor either in person or over the phone.
How to Get Started
To arrange a meeting with a SHINE counselor, call (800) 963-5337.
Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA)
What You Need to Know
One of the most important missions of the Department of Elder Affairs is to help senior Floridians remain living independently in their homes or communities and avoid placement in long-term care facilities. To accomplish this goal, the DOEA offers a variety of resources designed to assist you if you wish to age in place. For instance, financial assistance is available for low-income seniors to help with activities of daily living (ADL), and respite care assistance is available for caregivers.
Who Is Eligible?
Some programs offered by the DOEA are available to all Florida seniors aged 60 and older, while others may have certain financial or medical eligibility requirements.
How to Get Started
To find out more about available programs and services or inquire about your eligibility, call (850) 414-2000.
Meals on Wheels
What You Should Know
The local Meals on Wheels program is administered by Aging Matters In Brevard. Through this program, you can receive hot, nutritious meals delivered right to your door. Deliveries are made each weekday around noon, and the program’s volunteers will also check on you to ensure your safety. MOW also offers the Pets on Wheels program, which works with the Brevard Humane Society to deliver cat or dog food so you can continue to care for your pet at home.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for MOW services, you must be at least 60 years of age, homebound, unable to prepare your own meals and have no one who can provide you with meals.
How to Get Started
To determine if you’re eligible or sign up to receive Meals on Wheels services, call (321) 639-8770. If you’re interested in the Pets on Wheels program, complete the online application available online and print and mail it to the address provided.