Assisted Living in Cape Coral, FL

Assisted Living Costs in Cape Coral

Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study shows that the average monthly price of assisted living in Cape Coral is $4,000, which is the same as the national average but $500 above the state average.

To the north, prices are lower in Punta Gorda ($3,400) and the North Port area ($3,874). Prices are higher south of Cape Coral in Naples ($5,448), the most expensive city in the state. Along the Atlantic coast, costs are $3,620 in Port St. Lucie and $3,350 in Miami. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

Senior care costs are based on a number of factors, such as the location, the staff/senior ratio and most importantly, the level of care needed. In Cape Coral, a semiprivate room in a nursing facility costs more than twice the amount of  assisted living because nursing facilities provide 24/7 medical care. By comparison, assisted living includes room and board, however, personal care is not included in the monthly price. 

Community-based care services received by a homemaker costs $3,909 per month, while a home health aide costs $4,385 per month based on 44 hours of weekly in-home service. These care costs are in addition to regular living expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments, groceries, utilities and home upkeep, which can make the true cost of staying at home significantly higher than assisted living. 

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Cape Coral

Medicaid in Florida

Medicaid is the federally mandated, government-funded health program that gives low-income children, adults with disabilities and seniors access to essential health services. Each state administers its own Medicaid program, and by law, all Medicaid plans must provide these mandatory benefits:  

• Doctor’s visits
• X-rays and basic lab services
• Long-term care 
• Emergency care
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
• Transportation to Medicaid-funded services
• Home health services

States can also offer state-specific optional Medicaid benefits through special programs and Medicaid waivers that may include:

• Case management
• Prescription medications
• Vision testing and eyeglasses
• Dentures and dental services
• Enhanced early screening and diagnostic services
• Hospice care
• Personal and attendant care
• Prosthetics
• Private duty nursing
• Rehabilitation therapies

In Florida, the Medicaid program is administered by the Department of Children and Families. Some long-term Medicaid services for seniors aged 65 and older are administered through the Department of Elder Affairs. 

Medicaid Income and Asset Limits

Florida seniors who collect Social Security Income benefits are automatically provided with aged, blind and disabled Medicaid coverage. Additional screening is needed for SSI recipients who want to participate in Medicaid waiver programs. 

All other seniors who need institutional and home and community-based Medicaid services must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen or hold valid immigration status
• Be a permanent resident of Florida
• Have a valid Social Security number
• Earn no more than $2,313 per month, or
• Earn no more than $4,626 per month in joint income when applying with a spouse, and
• Own no more than $2,000 in countable assets, or
• Own no more than $3,000 in countable assets when applying with a spouse
• Require the level of care normally provided in a nursing facility

Countable assets include all cash and investments, such as stocks, bonds and vacation properties. The applicant’s primary home is exempt as long as it’s occupied by the applicant and/or their spouse and is valued at $585,000 or less. 

Minimum Monthly Needs Allowance Rule

Under the community spouse resource allowance, a non-applicant spouse can keep half of the couple’s joint assets valued up to $126,420 in addition to any exempt assets. 

The community spouse isn’t expected to contribute to their spouse’s care costs. If the community spouse is financially dependent on the applicant, the applicant can transfer up to $3,161 per month to the community spouse under the minimum monthly needs allowance rule.  

Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program

Seniors who qualify for institutional Medicaid coverage who can safely live in the community with additional services and supports may be eligible for the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care program.

SMMC LTC is a nursing home diversion program that funds long-term care services, such as personal care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation therapies and adult day health services. It also covers medical supplies and mobility aids, a medical alert system, nonemergency medical transportation and home-delivered meals.

Services are assigned based on the needs of each participant. Enrollees can reside in a noninstitutional setting, such as an assisted living facility, however, the SMMC LTC doesn’t cover room-and-board costs. 

Eligible seniors need to complete the Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services. This federally mandated assessment looks at the current and projected care needs of each applicant. The assessor recommends the most appropriate placement based on the findings of the assessment, which may be enrollement into the SMMC LTC. 

For more information contact the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida at (866) 413-5337. 

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Optional State Supplementation

The Florida Department of Children and Families administers a state-funded Supplemental Security Income top-up program that provides financial assistance to low-income seniors in assisted living facilities 

The Optional State Supplementation program helps eligible seniors pay for the room-and-board portion of their assisted living costs. 

To qualify for OSS benefits, seniors must collect SSI and be unable to live independently due to illness, injury or age-related loss of function. If approved, seniors may receive a maximum of $78.40 per month ($156.80 per month for couples) in addition to their regular SSI benefit.

For more information, contact ACCESS Florida at (866) 762-2237 or the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213. 

Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance

The VA Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance are two enhanced monthly pension programs for eligible veterans and survivors.

Applicants must be eligible for the regular VA pension and have a permanent disability or life-limiting condition. Claimants who meet the medical criteria but are ineligible for the basic pension due to excess income may also qualify as these programs provide increased pension benefits.

Under Aid and Attendance, the maximum annual pension is $22,577 to single veterans and $26,766 for veterans with one dependent. Single survivors may receive a maximum annual pension of $14,509 and up to $17,309 with one dependent.

Applicants may be eligible for Aid and Attendance if they are:

• Legally blind
• A resident of a nursing home 
• Bedridden due to chronic illness or disability
• Dependent on a caregiver for help with activities of daily living, such as eating, getting dressed, toileting or navigating their home

Under Housebound, single veterans may receive a maximum annual pension of $16,540, and veterans with one dependent may receive up to $20,731. Single survivors may qualify for up to $11,095, and survivors with dependents may receive a maximum of $13,893 per year. 

Applicants may be eligible for Housebound if they have: 

• A 100% disability rating for one disability, and that disability permanently confines them to their home, or
• A 100% disability rating for one disability, and at least one additional disability rated at 60% of higher 

For more information and help with the application process, contact Lee County Veterans Services at (239) 533-8381. 

Assisted Living Resources in Cape Coral

Veterans Services

Veterans, survivors and dependents who need information about VA benefits or need help completing claims applications and appeals can contact Lee County Veterans Services. 

Primary, mental health, women’s health and a number of specialty medical services are available at the Lee County VA Clinic, part of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System. 

Lee County Veterans Services
2440 Thompson St., Fr. Myers, FL 33901
(239) 533-8381

Lee County VA Clinic
2489 Diplomat Pkwy. E., Cape Coral, FL 33909-5422
(239) 652-1800

Senior Recreation and Leisure Services

Cape Coral’s Parks and Recreation Department operates two community centers for seniors aged 50 and older. Members can enjoy a wide variety of classes, games and drop-in programs, such as bingo, quilting, line dancing and escorted day trips. 

Tony Rotino Center
5817 Driftwood Pkwy., Cape Coral, FL 33904
(239) 574-0807

Lake Kennedy Center
400 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, FL 33915
(239) 574-0575

Transportation and Nutrition Programs

Seniors who need low-cost, door-to-door transportation to appointments and errands can register for the Cape Coral Mini-Bus program. 

The Friendship Center Dining Program provides seniors aged 60 and older with hot, nutritious lunches in a communal setting Monday-Friday.

To register for the Mini-Bus or Dining Program, contact program staff at the Lake Kennedy Center or call (239) 574-0573.