I. What You Should Know About Home Care in The Villages, FL
Located in central Florida and dubbed “Florida’s Friendliest Retirement Hometown,” The Villages provides easy access to outstanding shopping, dining and recreational amenities. This 55-plus community is made up of several retirement neighborhoods that altogether have about 80,000 residents, 82% of whom are aged 65 and older.
The Villages is easily navigated with golf carts and it’s served by Sumter County Transit, making it a great option if you no longer wish to own a vehicle. It’s home to over 50 golf courses that accommodate avid and novice golfers alike, each featuring beautiful views and well-kept freeways. Over 100 stores are located within the community, as well as venues such as Katie Belle’s Resident Club, which hosts live entertainment.
Among the biggest benefits of living in The Villages is the region’s comfortable climate. Residents enjoy 238 sunny days per year, and high temperatures range between 69-92 degrees. Crime is minimal compared to nearby and similarly sized cities, providing you with peace of mind. Despite its amenities, the cost of living in The Villages is consistent with the statewide average.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in The Villages, FL
According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, seniors in The Villages pay $4,124 per month for home care, which includes companionship, personal care, housekeeping and transportation services depending on the individual’s needs. Home health care is similar but also includes some skilled nursing services, such as medication administration, wound care and physical or occupational therapy. Despite this specialized care, monthly fees are the same at $4,124.
These monthly averages are based on an hourly rate of $21.63 and assume 44 hours of weekly care. Your monthly care cost may vary depending on the scope of care you need and whether you access free and low-cost services in the community.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Seniors in The Villages pay $4,124 per month on average for home-based care, regardless of whether it’s home care or home health care. This is cheaper than the state median of $4,195 for homemaker services and $4,290 for home health care. Nationally, monthly rates are even higher at $4,481 and $4,576, respectively. Care costs vary considerably throughout Florida, with Miami being the cheapest option at $3,623 for home care and $3,813 for home health care. In Ocala, agencies charge $3,813 for home care and $4,576 for home health care services, and in the Crestview area, both types of care cost $4,481 per month.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
With monthly fees for home care and home health care coming in at $4,124, home-based care is among the most affordable options in The Villages. The only cheaper option is adult day care, which includes personal care, meals and recreational activities in a daytime community setting for $1,625 per month. Residential care is more expensive, with seniors paying $4,950 per month for assisted living, which is designed for those who need personal care services. Nursing homes offer the most intensive level of care as well as the priciest at $8,973 per month.
III. How to Find Home Care in The Villages, 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 The Villages, 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 The Villages, FL
Veteran Readiness and Employment Office
What You Should Know
The Veteran Readiness and Employment Office is located within The Villages VA Clinic. At this location, you can get one-on-one assistance with accessing local, state and federal benefits and programs that may enable you to continue living independently in the community. Staff can help veterans obtain services such as transportation, healthcare and health insurance benefits and emergency financial assistance. They can also help veterans determine their eligibility and apply for benefits such as disability compensation, VA pensions and Aid and Attendance or the Housebound Allowance.
Who Is Eligible?
Anyone who served in the military and was released or discharged under any conditions other than dishonorable or bad conduct is eligible for veterans’ benefits. Individual programs may have additional eligibility guidelines based on the type of service, wars fought in and income limits. Spouses, survivors and children of veterans may qualify for some programs.
How to Get Started
To access VA benefits through the Veterans Readiness and Employment Office, you can call (800) 827-1000 to schedule an appointment with a benefits specialist. The office is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Recreation Centers
What You Should Know
There are several recreation centers located in or near The Villages, providing you with easy access to a broad range of social and recreational programs. Activities vary by location, but many centers host discussion groups, book and hobby-based clubs, art classes, technology classes, games and fitness classes. Many centers offer weekly or monthly wellness services, such as blood pressure screenings, foot clinics and blood sugar checks. Centers may also provide services such as health insurance options counseling and information and referrals for community-based services.
Who Is Eligible?
Age restrictions depend on each center’s policies. In general, membership is open to those aged 60 and over, although some centers have lower age limits. In some cases, seniors may pay higher membership dues if they live outside a center’s service area.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the senior centers in and near The Villages, you can call the Recreation Administration office at (352) 674-1800. Alternatively, you can email the office at [email protected].
Mid Florida Community Services, Inc.
What You Should Know
Mid Florida Community Services, Inc., is the Community Action Partnership for The Villages and the surrounding areas. This nonprofit agency is funded by several community providers and administers a range of programs to enable older adults to live in their homes and maintain as much independence as possible. Some services available to qualifying seniors include friendly phone calls, home-delivered and congregate meals, nutrition education, personal care and homemaker services and in-home respite care. It also has information and referral specialists who can help you access services in the community. Depending on your income and the specific services you access, you may have a copay.
Who Is Eligible?
Services through this agency are available to those aged 60 and older. Individual programs may have additional eligibility criteria depending on income, level of functioning and whether you have a qualifying condition.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the programs available through MFCS or to schedule an appointment, you can call (352) 796-1426. The office is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Elder Options
What You Should Know
Elder Options is the designated Area Agency on Aging for The Villages and the surrounding region. This agency provides a broad range of programs that can help you age in place, including legal assistance, public assistance and benefits screenings, in-home care, home-delivered meals and rent and utility assistance. It administers the statewide SHINE program, which provides free health insurance options counseling and may help you find insurance coverage that pays for some home-based services.
Who Is Eligible?
Services through Elder Options are available to residents of The Villages aged 60 and over. Some programs have additional eligibility criteria based on income or need.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the services available through Elder Options, you can call the Elder Helpline at (800) 262-2243. The Helpline is part of the state’s Aging & Disability Resource Center and is staffed with live agents who provide information on community resources, referrals for services and assistance connecting with services that will be most beneficial to you. It operates on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida
What You Should Know
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida provides free civil legal services to older adults in The Villages. Through this nonprofit program, you can get help with applying for public benefits that may cover home-based care, including Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security Disability Insurance. The office can also help you resolve issues such as consumer debt problems, Social Security overpayment or denied health insurance claims.
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for services, you must be at least 60 years old and live within the organization’s service area. The agency only accepts civil legal cases.
How to Get Started
To speak with a legal professional and get one-on-one help with legal issues, you can call the organization’s HELPLine at (800) 405-1417. The HELPLine is staffed Monday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., on Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.