Assisted Living in Clearwater, FL

Assisted Living Costs in Clearwater

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, costs for assisted living in Clearwater are lower than the national average of $4,000 and similar to the state average of $3,500. Costs for assisted living in Florida vary widely, with assisted living in nearby Lakeland being lower ($2,808), while costs are more expensive in Homosassa Springs ($4,125) and The Villages ($5,031). 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Clearwater, so data for the closest city, Tampa, was used. 

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

• Clearwater: $3,250
• National average: $4,000
• State average: $3,500
• North Port: $3,874
• Homosassa Springs: $4,125
• Lakeland: $2,808
• The Villages: $5,031
• Sebring: $3,038
• Orlando: $3,275

Care Cost Comparison

Senior care costs are largely based on the level of care needed, the services that are included and the location. In Clearwater, nursing home care is more than twice the cost of assisted living and home care. Both homemaker and home health aide services are more costly than assisted living. When comparing the costs of all types of care, it’s important to consider expenses that are not included with in-home services such as rent, utilities, food and home maintenance. 

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $3,250
• Homemaker services: $3,718
• Home health aide: $4,096
• Adult day health: $1,907
• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $8,319

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Clearwater

Medicaid in Florida

Medicaid is a nationwide health insurance program designed to provide low-income, low-asset Americans with access to basic health services. It is jointly funded by the federal and state governments, and in Florida, Medicaid is administered by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. 

Seniors in Florida may be eligible for Medicaid coverage if they have a monthly income of $2,313 or less when applying as a single or $4,626 in joint income when applying with a spouse. Medicaid considers income from all sources including pensions, annuities, alimony and wages. 

Asset limits also apply for Medicaid applicants. Individuals may own no more than $2,000 in countable assets, and couples can jointly own no more than $3,000 in countable assets including cash, checking account balances, stocks and investment real estate. 

Under Medicaid rules, personal belongings, household effects, one vehicle and a primary residence valued at $585,000 or less are rated as exempt assets. 

Seniors aged 65 and older who qualify for Florida Medicaid and require care normally found in a nursing home may be eligible for personal care services while residing in the community or in an assisted living facility. The Florida Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long Term Care Program (SMMC LTC) is designed to reduce the rates of nursing home placement in the state by providing financial assistance to seniors for use towards a homemaker, home health care aide or other supports. 

To learn more about Medicaid and the SMMC LTC program, call the Agency for Health Care Administration at (877) 711-3662 or the Florida Elder Helpline at (800) 963-5337.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Optional State Supplementation

Low-income Florida seniors who reside in a licensed assisted living facility may be eligible for benefits through the Optional State Supplementation (OSS) program.

This cash-based Supplemental Security Income (SSI) top-up benefit can be used towards the room and board portion of assisted living costs if the senior is unable to live independently as a result of a disability or age-related deterioration. 

Applicants are required to meet financial and personal care eligibility criteria. If approved, individual seniors may receive maximum monthly OSS benefits of $78.40 for an individual and $156.80 for a couple. 

To learn more about the OSS in Florida, call ACCESS Florida at (866) 762-2237. 

Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit

Honorably discharged veterans and their survivors who are eligible to receive a VA pension may qualify for a pension top-up to assist with costs related to a chronic illness, disability or incapacity. 

To qualify for the Aid and Attendance benefit, applicants must meet at least one of the following conditions:  

• Require assistance from a caregiver to manage activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, eating, toileting and/or installing a prosthetic device
• Are permanently bedridden or spend the majority of the day in bed due to a disability or disabilities
• Reside in a nursing home as a direct result of cognitive and/or physical deterioration
• Have eyesight that when corrected measures at 5/200 or worse
• Has concentric contraction to 5 or fewer degrees 

Veterans Housebound Allowance

The Veterans Housebound allowance is a VA pension top-up allowance available to recipients of the VA pension who:

• Have been assessed as 100 percent disabled by a VA assessor
• Are largely confined to their principal residence as a direct result of their disability or disabilities

Note that for both the Aid and Attendance benefit and the Housebound Allowance, disabilities do not need to be service-related. If approved, applicants may only collect benefits for one of these two programs even if they meet the criteria for both benefits. 

To learn more about these VA pension top-up programs contact the Clearwater Vet Center at (727) 549-3600. 

Assisted Living Resources in Clearwater

Seniors Centers in Clearwater

Senior centers in Clearwater cater to adults aged 50 and over who are interested in socializing with other seniors, staying active and exploring their community. These centers offer low-cost and free programs including weekly games, exercise classes and special events. 

Clearwater Aging Well Center
1501 N. Belcher Rd, Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 724-3070

Hale Senior Activity Center
330 Douglas Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698
(727) 298-3299

Community Assistance Agencies

A number of community agencies in Clearwater offer services for older adults, such as assistance with accessing health care, low-cost transportation to medical appointments and help with preparing tax returns and wills. 

Clearwater Aging Well Center
1501 N. Belcher Rd, Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 724-3070

Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas Inc. 
9549 Koger Blvd., Gadsden Building, Suite 100, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
(727) 570-9696

Veteran Centers and Clinics

Clearwater veterans and their family members can access information on VA health care service, pension supplements and financial aid programs at the Pinellas County Veterans Services Center in Clearwater or the Clearwater VA Vet Center. There are also two Veterans social clubs here that offer companionship, weekly dinners and special events. 

Old Fort Harrison VFW Post 2473
1401 North Hercules Ave, Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 447-0922

Turner Brandon Post 7 – American Legion
1760 Turner St, Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 442-5293

Clearwater Vet Center
29259 US Highway 19 North, Clearwater, FL 33761
(727) 549-3600

Pinellas County Veterans Services – Clearwater
2189 Cleveland St, Suite 263, Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 464-8460