Home Care in Winter Park, FL

With its sunny, snow-free climate and lack of state income taxes, Florida has long been a popular retirement destination. Winter Park, located in Orange County, is a small, friendly city where 22.4% of the 29,795 residents are seniors aged 65 and older.

Winter Park makes a great home base if you’re looking to enjoy all the attractions in central Florida. The Atlantic coast is just 25 miles to the east, while the many nearby theme parks are popular among the young and young-at-heart. The city is also known as being quite safe, given that the violent crime rate is below the nationwide average.

While the area draws plenty of tourists, Winter Park remains a relatively quiet city that’s known for its stunning museums showcasing outdoor sculptures and contemporary works. There are also a number of shopping plazas to enjoy, and easy access to freshly picked fruits and veggies grown right in Orange County.

Winter Park is also home to one of the region’s best hospitals, AdventHealth Winter Park, which is nationally ranked in three specialties by U.S. News & World Report.

According to Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, you can expect to pay an average of $3,813 per month for home care in Winter Park. Home health care, which combines home care services with limited medical services, such as skilled nursing care, also costs an average of $3,813 per month.

Genworth’s figures are based on 44 hours of care per week at an average hourly rate of $20. Your actual home care costs may be higher or lower than the average, as home care services are customized to meet the needs of each senior.

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

At a monthly average of $3,813, home care and home health care services in Winter Park are quite affordable compared to what seniors pay in nearby cities. In The Villages, both types of in-home care cost about $4,124 per month, while in Palm Bay, rates are higher at $4,385 per month. To the east in Tampa, seniors pay around $4,195 for home care and $4,576 for home health care.

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.

Orange County Veterans Services

What You Should Know
The Orange County Veterans Services Office works to ensure that all Winter Park veterans and their dependents receive their maximum entitlements through county, state and federal benefit programs.

If you’re a veteran, survivor or dependent who needs home care services, county veteran service officers can help you apply for either Aid and Attendance or Housebound Allowance benefits. These two enhanced VA pension benefits can provide you with extra funds to use toward your in-home care costs. Other services available at the VSO include assistance with obtaining military service records, help with arranging transportation to and from VA medical clinics and hospitals, and information on county and state benefits available to veterans.

Who Is Eligible?
If you’re a veteran, survivor or dependent, you’re eligible for free assistance through the Orange County Veteran Services Office.

How to Get Started
To speak with a veteran services officer, call (407) 836-8990.

Meals on Wheels 

What You Should Know
Meals on Wheels is a nonprofit home meal delivery service that’s designed to help homebound seniors maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver a hot noontime meal each weekday to program participants, and Saturday delivery is also available upon request.

In addition to providing you with a nutritious meal each day, Meals on Wheels can help ensure that you’re safe, since the volunteer drivers do a quick wellness check when they drop off your meals. The drivers will take a moment to ask how you’re doing, and if you require medical attention or additional assistance, they’ll contact the appropriate services to make sure you’re taken care of.

Who Is Eligible?
As a senior in Winter Park, you can sign up for Meals on Wheels if you have difficulty getting out to the grocery store, or if you can’t safely prepare your own meals at home due to mobility limitations or other health issues. There’s no financial eligibility criteria for the Meals on Wheels program, but if you can afford to contribute toward your meal costs, you’re encouraged to do so.

How to Get Started
To learn more about Meals on Wheels, call (407) 292-0177.

Home Renovation Program 

What You Should Know
Keeping up with home maintenance can be challenging, especially if you’re older and living on a limited income. The City of Winter Park’s Community Redevelopment Agency offers eligible homeowners nonrepayable, zero-interest loans for use toward critical home repairs.

Money from this program can be used for certain weatherization projects, home security upgrades, and to resolve outstanding code violations. Funds may also be used for renovations to make your home safer and more accessible, such as reducing the height of your kitchen counters, adding railings and grab bars, and eliminating tripping hazards around your home.

Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for funding through the CRA’s home renovation program, you must be either permanently disabled or aged 62 and older. You must also be current on your property taxes, mortgage and home insurance payments, and you must live in your home. You’ll also need to meet the current income limits, which are adjusted each year.

How to Get Started
For more information on the home improvement program, call the Community Redevelopment Agency at (407) 599-3217.

Seniors First

What You Should Know
Seniors First is a regional nonprofit organization that offers a number of support services and programs to help seniors continue to live independently in their own homes.

Funded through a number of government agencies, grants and donors, Seniors First services include congregate meal programs and community food pantries for older adults. The organization also provides in-home care services to fragile seniors aged 60 and older, operates the Stepping Stone Medical Equipment Bank, and offers court-mandated training for those who are seeking to secure guardianship of a loved one.

Who Is Eligible?
As a senior in Winter Park, you’re eligible to access a number of the programs offered by Seniors First.

How to Get Started
To learn more about Seniors First’s programs and services, call (407) 292-0177.

LYNX Public Transit

What You Should Know
LYNX is the public transit provider for Orange County, and the service area includes Winter Park. All LYNX buses are equipped with accessibility features to accommodate riders with mobility limitations, including those who use wheelchairs, electric scooters and walkers.

LYNX also operates the local paratransit service, ACCESS LYNX. This ADA-compliant, door-to-door service is available to riders who can’t use the regular bus system due to disability.

Who Is Eligible?
As a senior, you’re eligible for discounted fares on all LYNX buses through the AdvantAge Fare Program. If you have a temporary or permanent disability that limits your access to the regular bus service, you can apply to use the ACCESS LYNX service.

How to Get Started
To learn more about LYNX routes and the ACCESS LYNX service, call (407) 423-8747.