I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Spring Hill, FL
Spring Hill is a welcoming community on Florida’s western coastline known for its unique cultural amenities and scenic parks. In Hernando County, where this community is located, about one in four residents are 65 or over. This promotes access to community-based services and supports, including those that may help you age in place.
Among the community’s most attractive selling points for retirees is its warm weather year-round, with daytime highs ranging from 70 degrees in the winter to 91 degrees in the summer. Despite its location and amenities, Spring Hill has a relatively low cost of living that’s about 10% lower than the state median. Additionally, Florida doesn’t have a state income tax, further making Spring Hill a financially viable option for seniors who want to access home care services that let them age in place.
Spring Hill has exceptional air and water quality that supports the health and comfort of residents, particularly seniors. Health care is relatively affordable here, with services such as hospital stays and doctor’s office visits at about 5% below the national median. One hospital, Bravera Health Spring Hill, is within the city proper, and many more are within easy driving distance.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Spring Hill, FL
The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey shows that you should expect to pay about $4,767 per month for home care in Spring Hill, which includes basic services such as housekeeping and companionship. Home health care is similar but features specialized services such as physical therapy and medication administration. For that reason, it’s a little costlier, with seniors paying about $4,862 per month for care.
These monthly averages assume 44 hours of weekly care at hourly rates of $25 for home care and $25.50 for home health care. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on whether you need full- or part-time care or supplement private-pay services with free or low-cost community-based services.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Spring Hill’s monthly home care rates are consistent with the state average and competitive compared to the national median. In The Villages, care costs are about $1,000 higher per month than in Spring Hill at $5,720. In Lakeland, monthly rates are more competitive at $4,576 for home care and $4,481 for home health care, and in Homosassa Springs, respective costs are among the lowest in the nation at $4,273 for home care and $4,559 home health care.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Spring Hill’s home care rates average $4,767, and home health care is a little costlier at $4,862. If you have budgetary considerations, you may consider obtaining this level of care in assisted living, which costs $3,350 per month. Alternately, you may save money by accessing care in a daytime community setting via adult day care, which costs $2,123. Home health care may be a cost-effective alternative to nursing home care, which averages $8,927 per month.
Note: Data for Spring Hill was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Tampa, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Spring Hill, 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 Spring Hill, FL.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Spring Hill, FL
Mid Florida Community Services, Inc.
What You Should Know
Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. (MFCS) is the Community Action Partnership for the Spring Hill region. Its Senior Services programs include free and low-cost services to help you avoid nursing home or assisted living placement. Through this agency, you can access affordable in-home respite care, volunteer-based transportation services, housekeeping and laundry services, congregate meals and information and referrals for community services. This regional Meals on Wheels provider delivers fresh, healthy meals to homebound seniors on a short- or long-term basis. It also provides financial assistance to qualified individuals through several programs, including the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, Emergency/Support Services, Weatherization Assistance Program and the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program.
Who Is Eligible?
In general, services through MFCS are available to Spring Hill residents aged 60 and over. Some programs have additional eligibility requirements related to income, medical diagnosis or your level of functioning.
How to Get Started
To obtain services through MFCS, call the agency’s Hernando County main office at (352) 796-1425. To speak with someone about the Senior Services programs, call (352) 796-1426.
Elder Options
What You Should Know
Elder Options is the designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for the Spring Hill region. Through this nonprofit organization, you can access options and benefits counseling with trained professionals who help you find programs and services in the region. The agency operates the Elder Helpline, which serves as an entry point to Florida’s Aging & Disability Resource Center network. It has SHINE counselors who help you understand your Medicare benefits, including those that pay for home health care. The agency has the Care Transitions Program to help seniors in nursing homes or hospitals return home, and it has healthy aging classes to support your safety and independence at home. It also operates Tele-Talk, a free, confidential, friendly phone call program.
Who Is Eligible?
To access services through the Area Agency on Aging, you must be at least 60 years old. In some cases, criteria related to income and level of functioning also apply.
How to Get Started
To learn more about these services, you can contact the AAA by calling (800) 262-2243 or emailing the agency at [email protected].
Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, Inc.
What You Should Know
Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, Inc. is a faith-based nonprofit organization that serves older adults in the Spring Hill region. It operates the CHATS Program, a free service that matches callers with volunteers who provide weekly phone chats and connect seniors to helpful services through Gulf Coast JFCS. Its food pantry offers non-perishable foods and household goods to qualified individuals, and it partners with local nonprofit organizations to coordinate in-home care services.
Who Is Eligible?
While several services through this agency are for Jewish community members, seniors of all backgrounds can benefit from the CHATS Program, food pantry and care coordination services.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the services available through Gulf Coast JFCS, call the main office at (727) 479-1800. The office is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2-1-1
What You Should Know
2-1-1 is a service of the United Way of Hernando County, a nonprofit organization that serves residents through information and referrals. You can call this helpline to speak with a trained specialist regarding community-based services. Some services that you may find through 2-1-1 include volunteer-based transportation services, in-home care, friendly visitor/friendly phone call programs and chore services. All referral services are free and confidential.
Who Is Eligible?
All Spring Hill residents can obtain information and referral services through 2-1-1 regardless of age or income.
How to Get Started
To speak with an information specialist, dial 2-1-1 from any phone.
Low Income Senior Exemption
What You Should Know
The Low Income Senior Exemption provides an additional property tax exemption of up to $50,000 beyond the standard Homestead Exemption. This can reduce how much you owe in property taxes to make it financially feasible to age in place.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for this exemption, you must be at least 65 years old on January 1 of the year you’re filing for, which you must prove by submitting a copy of your state-issued ID or driver’s license or your birth certificate. You must already have the Homestead Exemption, and your Total Household Adjusted Gross income must not exceed $32,561.
How to Get Started
To apply for this exemption, you must file the application by March 1, and you must submit supporting documents by June 1. You can file your application at the Spring Hill office at 7525 Forest Oaks Boulevard. The office is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. To speak with a representative, call the office at (352) 754-4190.