Assisted Living in Fort Pierce, FL

Assisted Living Costs in Fort Pierce

Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study collected data on assisted living costs nationwide, and the study shows that monthly assisted living in Fort Pierce costs slightly above the state average of $3,500 and less than the national average of $4,000. Prices are similar in nearby areas such as Sebastian ($3,524) and the Palm Bay area ($3,750), while assisted living costs are somewhat lower in Miami ($3,350) and Orlando ($3,275).

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Fort Pierce, so data for the closest city, Port St. Lucie, was used. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

There are significant differences between each type of senior care service, and these differences are reflected in the monthly costs. Nursing home care involves ongoing skilled nursing in a licensed residential setting, which is why nursing home prices in Fort Pierce are more than double the costs of assisted living. 

In-home senior care, such as a homemaker or home health aide, has costs similar to assisted living in Fort Pierce based on 44 hours a week of direct service. Unlike assisted living, which includes room and board, in-home care seniors continue to be responsible for ongoing expenses, such as utility bills, groceries and home maintenance. 

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Fort Pierce

Medicaid in Florida

Medicaid, the nationwide health coverage program for low-income children, adults and seniors, provides basic health care for 16% of Florida’s residents. About 29% of the elderly and disabled in Florida are on Medicaid, and 64% of Florida’s Medicaid expenditures go towards emergency, acute and long-term services for seniors and disabled individuals. 

Because Medicaid is designed to help those who cannot afford health insurance, seniors must meet strict asset and income limits to qualify for coverage. Individuals can earn no more than $2,313 a month, while couples applying together have an income limit of $4,626. Income from all sources is counted towards Medicaid limits, including wages, alimony payments, pension  and any income earned from rental properties. 

Asset limits are also in place for Medicaid applicants. Individuals can own no more than $2,000 in countable assets, while couples are limited to $3,000 in cash, stocks, bonds and real estate. Some assets are exempt, such as one vehicle, a home that the applicant owns and lives in worth up to $585,000 and a non-revocable burial trust. 

Note: Florida is a Medicaid cap state, which means seniors with incomes that exceed Medicaid limits cannot qualify for Medicaid by spending down the excess income. 

Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program

Florida has a Medicaid waiver program for Medicaid enrollees who need the type of care normally provided in a nursing home. Known as the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program, this waiver is designed to help seniors remain in an assisted living facility with the support they need to remain as safe and independent as possible. 

Services available through the SMMC LTC include: 

• Adult day health care
• Case management
• Skilled and intermittent nursing
• Medication administration and management
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Physical, occupational, speech and/or respiratory therapy
• Homemaker 
• Transportation assistance
• A personal emergency response system 

Note: Services are delivered on a case-by-case basis and are assigned according to medical need. 

Seniors must be referred to the SMMC LTC through the Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services, the federally mandated screening program for Medicaid enrollees who request Medicaid-funded long-term care. If a senior is deemed suitable for the SMMC LTC, the CARES assessor makes a referral to the waiver program along with recommendations regarding the necessary services. 

For more information about Florida Medicaid and the SMMC LTC program, contact the St. Lucie County Elder Help line at (866) 684-5885. 

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Optional State Supplementation

Florida provides Supplemental Security Income top-up funds through the Optional State Supplementation program towards the room and board portion of assisted living costs for seniors residing in an assisted living facility. 

Under the OSS, individual seniors may receive up to $78.40 per month in addition to the federal portion of their SSI payment, and couples may receive up to $156.80 per month. 

For more information on the Florida OSS, contact ACCESS Florida at (866) 762-2237. 

Assisted Living Resources in Fort Pierce

Senior Centers

The City of Fort Pierce Recreational Services department offers a number of fitness and crafting classes at the River Walk Center that are geared towards seniors. The Center is also home to many social clubs, and the riverside location offers stunning views of the Indian River. 

Fort Pierce River Walk Center
600 N. Indian River Dr., Fort Pierce, FL 34950
(772) 489-6473

Community Aid Agencies

The Council on Aging of Port St. Lucie, Inc., operates a fixed route and on-demand local bus service that seniors can use, including those with mobility issues. COASL also offers a seniors’ social program geared towards those with a range of age-related needs, along with a daily low-cost lunch program. 

Council on Aging of Port St. Lucie
2501 SW Bayshore Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34984
(772) 336-8608

Resources for Veterans

St. Lucie County Veteran Services Division provides veterans, dependents and survivors with help completing VA benefit applications and appeals, obtaining burial benefits and arranging transportation to appointments at the VA medical center. Outpatient health care services are available at the Fort Pierce VA Clinic, and there’s an American Legion post and a VFW post where veterans can participate in communal meals, social groups and commemorative services. 

St. Lucie County Veteran Services Division
437 N. 7th St., Fort Pierce, FL 34950
(772) 337-5670

Fort Pierce VA Clinic
1901 S. 25th St., Ste. 103, Fort Pierce, FL 34947-4711
(772) 595-5150