Home Care in Miami, FL

Out of the 467,963 estimated Miami residents, approximately 16.9% are aged 65 and older. To accommodate this growing portion of the population, senior centers located around the city offer enriching activities and social opportunities. The city also has counseling and assistance programs — in areas such as nutrition and transportation — to help seniors in home care remain healthy, happy and mobile.

Active seniors can appreciate Miami’s climate. There are 248 sunny days per year and an average of zero inches of snow — giving you plenty of time to enjoy the city’s golf courses, botanical gardens and other outdoor attractions. If you prefer spending time in an air-conditioned environment, the city has museums, shopping malls and movie theaters.

Another reason to consider home care in Miami is the quality of medical care. There are 228 physicians per 100,000 Miami residents — a figure that’s higher than the national average. The city has plenty of pharmacies and doctor’s offices and is home to the world-renowned University of Miami Health System, where you’ll find multiple geriatric specialists. These and other factors make Miami an excellent city for retirees who prefer to receive home care instead of moving to an assisted living facility.

According to the Genworth Financial 2020 Cost of Care Survey, you can expect to pay $3,623 on average for home care in Miami. The estimated monthly cost for home health care is higher at $3,813. Home health care costs more because of the specialized medical services that are included.

These averages are based on 44 hours of home care or home health care in Miami. If you require fewer or more hours of care, your estimated cost will be different. On an hourly basis, seniors can expect home care to cost $19 and home health care to cost $20.

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

Home care and home health care costs in Miami — $3,623 and $3,813, respectively — are lower than in Naples, which has an estimated monthly home care cost of $4,767 and a home health care cost of $4,957. Cape Coral’s home care cost is estimated at $4,576 and home health care at $4,767 per month. Port St. Lucie is closest to Miami in cost, with a home care average of $4,147 and a home health care average of $4,242.

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.

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

What You Should Know
The Department of Elder Affairs for the state of Florida provides the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE. Through this program, seniors who may otherwise be placed in a nursing home can remain at home and receive medical and long-term care through one provider.

All services available through Medicaid and Medicare are available through PACE. This includes but isn’t limited to physical and occupational therapy, nutritional counseling and dental services. Seniors can also receive transportation to their local PACE Center. What sets this program apart is that some of the services are provided at senior day care centers, which also provide seniors with an opportunity for socialization and participation in enriching activities.

Who Is Eligible?
If you’re 55 years of age or older and reside in the defined PACE Center service area, you may qualify for this program. Seniors must also either be eligible for Medicaid or both Medicaid and Medicare to qualify, and they must meet medical eligibility requirements.

How to Get Started
To find out more about the Florida PACE program, seniors in Miami-Dade County can contact Miami Jewish Health Systems at (305) 751-7223.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

What You Should Know
Through the Community Action and Human Services Department of Miami Dade County, seniors can participate in the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. This program connects seniors with volunteer opportunities at local schools, medical centers and other locations. Some of the program partners include the Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami-Dade Police Department and Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Seniors who receive home care can give back to the community by helping with rehabilitation patients and those in hospice. Volunteers are insured, provided with transportation reimbursement of 20 cents per mile and meals where applicable.

Who Is Eligible?
Seniors in Miami-Dade County who are age 55 and older can apply to volunteer with RSVP. All volunteers undergo training based on what type of volunteer support they’re providing and must serve a minimum of three hours weekly or 40 hours quarterly.

How to Get Started
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, contact the Community Action and Human Services Department at (786) 469-4851.

Meals on Wheels

What You Should Know
If you receive home care or home health care in Miami, you may qualify for the Meals on Wheels program. This meal delivery service provides recipients with seven frozen meals per week, which are delivered between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In addition to frozen meals, other food items are provided. These additional items may include milk and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Who Is Eligible?
Seniors 60 years and older who are disabled or homebound may be eligible for Meals on Wheels. Spouses of seniors who receive meal delivery also qualify with no restrictions on medical condition or age.

How to Get Started
Contact the Miami-Dade Community Action and Services department at (786) 469-4707 to find out more about eligibility requirements and sign up for meal delivery services.

Elderly Care Planning

What You Should Know
Seniors and family members can receive care planning assistance through the same Community Action and Services department that provides many senior services throughout the Miami-Dade area. These services are for seniors who want to remain at home but require specialized care to do so.

Care planning services, assessment and counseling are provided at seniors’ homes. Although this service is geared toward caregivers of seniors in possible crisis, seniors themselves can schedule these services if able to do so.

Who Is Eligible?
This service is for seniors 60 and older. Priority is given to seniors in crisis situations and those with impairments that prevent them from living independently.

How to Get Started
Contact an Elderly Care Planning specialist at the Miami-Dade Community Action and Services department by calling (786) 469-4851.

Active Older Adults Program

What You Should Know
The Active Older Adults Program is offered through the Miami-Dade Parks Department. Seniors can participate in the program at one of the city’s hubs, each of which has a Walk 4 Life program. This walking program is incentive-based to encourage seniors to meet mileage goals. Participants can also receive free health screenings, flu shots and other services through Walgreens’ Healthy Choices Clinics.

Through the Active Older Adults Program, seniors who receive home care or home health care can enjoy SilverSneakers fitness classes, which include various types of exercise for participants of different fitness levels. In addition to tai chi, yoga and cardiovascular exercises, seniors in this program can also participate in games and crafts.

Who Is Eligible?
Seniors in Miami-Dade County who are 55 or older can join the Active Older Adults Program.

How to Get Started
Contact 786-372-9701 to learn more about this program or email Allan Tavss at [email protected] for program schedules.