I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Port St. Lucie is a vibrant beach town on Florida’s southern Atlantic Coast and features beautiful botanical gardens, scenic parks and shopping and dining venues, providing an outstanding backdrop for retirement living. This rapidly growing city has more than 200,000 residents and a larger-than-average senior community that makes up over a fifth of the population. Residents enjoy affordable housing and utilities, which may help you maintain your standard of living throughout retirement, and the warm year-round weather provides plenty of opportunities to relax outdoors. Despite its growing population, this city is one of the safest places to live in Florida with violent and property crime rates well below the national medians, which may appeal to those who live alone. The city also offers amenities such as a senior center, providing an engaging social environment for older residents.
The city is home to two hospitals, HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital and Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital, enabling you to easily access the care you need for optimal health and quality of life. It also has numerous agencies that provide services for seniors who want to remain as independent as possible, making it a great option if you’re seeking home care.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Port Saint Lucie, FL
According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, in Port St. Lucie, seniors pay an average of $4,671 per month for home care. This is based on an hourly rate of $24.50 and assumes 44 hours of weekly care. Your monthly cost may be lower depending on factors such as whether you supplement paid care with aid from friends and family members, obtain low-cost community-based services or only need help with basic housekeeping and companionship. On the other hand, you may pay more for home care if you need assistance on evenings and weekends.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
In Port St. Lucie, seniors pay $4,671 per month for home care. Home health care, which includes specialized services such as chronic disease management, medication administration and medical monitoring, is a little costlier at $4,767. The city is an affordable alternative to obtaining care in nearby Sebastian, where both types of care cost $5,100. In Miami, seniors pay $4,195 for home care and $4,385 for home health care, and in Naples, respective care costs come in at $5,720 and $5,577.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Seniors in Port St. Lucie have several long-term care options to choose from depending on their budgets and lifestyle preferences. Adult day care, which provides daytime services such as meals, recreational activities and personal care in a community setting, is the cheapest option at $1,517 per month. Seniors who obtain services in their own homes pay $4,671 for home care and $4,767 for home health care. Assisted living residents pay an average of $3,763 for housing, care and meals, and those who need more intensive care pay $8,164 for semiprivate accommodations in local nursing homes.
III. How to Find Home Care in Port Saint Lucie, 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 Port Saint Lucie, FL.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast, Inc.
What You Should Know
The Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast, Inc., serves as your entry point for most programs and services in the Port St. Lucie region. Through this nonprofit organization, you can speak with an information specialist who provides referrals to a broad range of services in the community, including free and low-cost public transportation, home-delivered and congregate meals and public benefits options counseling. The agency can also help you obtain the services you need to age in place, including pest control, medication management, home repairs and modifications and in-home and respite care.
Who Is Eligible?
Services through the Area Agency on Aging are available to all Port St. Lucie residents aged 60 and over. Depending on the program you’re interested in, you may be required to meet income or functional guidelines.
How To Get Started
To learn more about these programs and to arrange services, you can call the agency’s helpline at (866) 684-5885. The helpline is staffed on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Alternately, you can send an email with your questions through the online contact form.
Council on Aging of St. Lucie
What You Should Know
The Council on Aging of St. Lucie advocates for seniors in the area and promotes access to the resources they need to age in place. It offers low-cost in-home assistance, including personal care and respite services to provide relief for unpaid caregivers. Through its nutrition program, it hosts congregate meal sites and provides home-delivered meals and welfare checks to older adults who are housebound. It has trained care managers who assess individuals’ needs and help them connect with services in the community, and it arranges social and recreational activities to help those who live alone build connections and avoid isolation and loneliness. It also operates Community Transit, which provides transportation services for seniors and those with disabilities.
Who Is Eligible?
All Port St. Lucie residents aged 60 and over are eligible for services through the council.
How To Get Started
To get more information about these programs, including availability and additional eligibility requirements for specific services, you can contact the office by calling (772) 336-8608 or sending an email to [email protected].
Treasure Coast Community Action Agency
What You Should Know
Treasure Coast Community Action Agency is a regional nonprofit organization that administers several programs to income-qualified individuals, helping them maintain their comfort and quality of life. Through this organization, you can get more information on local utility and housing assistance, weatherization programs, respite care and home modification services, which may help you age in place.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility criteria varies across the programs available through the agency, but in general, individuals must meet income limits.
How To Get Started
To learn more about how the TCCAA can help you remain in your own home, you can call the agency at (772) 462-1100.
211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast
What You Should Know
211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast is a free service that can help you find the resources you need to remain in your home. This free, confidential helpline is staffed with trained agents who provide up-to-date information and referrals for community-based services such as transportation, home-delivered meals and in-home care, which may help you reduce what you pay for private services. Agents can also connect you with resources to apply for state and federal benefits that may help you pay for in-home care and living expenses. This assistance is available over the phone and via online chat, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Who Is Eligible?
Everyone in Port St. Lucie can benefit from the information and referral services available through 211. The programs and services you’re referred to may have their own eligibility criteria regarding age, functional needs and income.
How To Get Started
To get help through this service, dial 2-1-1 or access the online chat tool.
Mustard Seed Ministries
What You Should Know
Mustard Seed Ministries is a faith-based nonprofit organization that provides a broad range of community services to meet the needs of Port St. Lucie residents. Through this agency, you can obtain food from one of two food pantries, as well as clothing and furniture. The organization provides assistance with utility bills once every 13-month period to help qualified individuals avoid disruptions in their service, and it provides gas to individuals who need help getting to medical appointments outside the county. It offers limited prescription drug assistance to qualified individuals, as well as vouchers for medical care at the HANDS Clinic or Florida Community Health Center. It also hosts classes on topics such as diabetes and high blood pressure management, which may help you remain safely at home, and it provides transportation vouchers to help you attend local medical appointments.
Who Is Eligible?
Services through Mustard Seed Ministries are available to individuals who meet the organization’s need and income guidelines.
How To Get Started
To learn more about the eligibility requirements and availability of these services, you can call the main office at (772) 465-6021.