Assisted Living in Pensacola, FL

Assisted Living Costs in Pensacola

Based on data from Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Study, the average monthly cost of assisted living in Pensacola is less than $100 over the national average but substantially higher than the state average of $3,500. Assisted living expenses in Pensacola are comparable to other nearby Florida Panhandle cities, such as Crestview ($4,195) and Panama City ($4,200), sometimes varying by less than $100 per month. Farther east, in Jacksonville ($4,425) costs increase more significantly.

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

• Pensacola: $4,096
• National average: $4,000
• State average: $3,500
• Crestview: $4,195
• Panama City: $4,200
• Tallahassee: $4,339
• Gainesville: $3,775
• Jacksonville: $4,425
• Homosassa Springs: $4,125

Care Cost Comparison

Costs for senior care can vary widely by type, and this is true in Pensacola, where nursing home expenses are nearly double those for assisted living. At an average of $1,408 per month, adult day health care is much less expensive, while costs for homemaker services ($3,575) and home health aides ($3,623) land more in the midrange, costly only slightly less per month than assisted living.

Seniors who may be considering nonresidential care options such as adult day health care or in-home services should factor in their monthly costs for housing, transportation, meals and other essentials, which are often included in assisted living and nursing home care.

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $4,096
• Homemaker services: $3,575
• Home health aide: $3,623
• Adult day health: $1,408
• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $7,817

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Pensacola

Medicaid in Florida

Florida residents who are 65 years and older and meet specific income and asset requirements can qualify for medical care assistance through SSI-related Medicaid. Single applicants must have no more than $891 in monthly income. For married couples who are jointly applying, both spouses must make no more than $1,208 a month. Seniors who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) automatically qualify for Medicaid and can work directly with the Social Security Administration to obtain benefits.

For additional information or to apply, other potential applicants should visit ACCESS Florida or call 866-762-2237.

Seniors who qualify for Medicaid and enroll in the statewide Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) program benefit from comprehensive services, which include primary care, hospitalization, nursing home care, home health care, prescription medications and adult day health care, depending on the individual’s needs. 

For residents who need long-term care, Florida’s Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program (SMMC LTC) provides Medicaid-eligible seniors with community services, in-home programs and assisted living arrangements. After an assessment, a case manager determines care needs and develops a plan for the individual to receive care in the least restrictive environment. Benefits of SMMC LTC may include assisted living, adult foster care and additional services such as home-delivered meals.

To qualify, applicants must be legal Florida residents over the age of 65 (under 64 only if designated as disabled). They must be Medicaid eligible and require a nursing facility level of care. An applicant’s combined income and assets must not exceed $2,313 per month. For couples applying jointly, the limit is $4,626.

If interested, seniors should call the Elder Helpline at 800-262-2243 to request a screening for home- and community-based services. During the screening interview, the primary caregiver will need to provide basic information, including the applicant’s income and required care needs.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

The Optional State Supplementation (OSS) Program

The Optional State Supplementation (OSS) program provides financial assistance toward room and board for low-income Florida seniors already living in residential care facilities. The program’s payment varies depending on the type of care an individual receives, up to a maximum of $239 monthly for individuals and $487 for couples.

Applicants must be 65 or older (unless disabled) and currently residing in a care facility to qualify. Individual applicants should have a monthly income not exceeding $828.40. For couples, the maximum monthly income is $1,656.80. Income limits are moderately higher for applicants living in mental health care facilities. Asset limits also apply, and applicants will find the guidelines similar to those for Medicaid approval. Interested individuals can visit ACCESS Florida for further information or to apply.

VA Aid and Attendance Program

The VA Aid and Attendance Program provides financial assistance to eligible veterans and surviving spouses in need of assisted living. To qualify, applicants must be over the age of 65 and need help with activities of daily living. The program’s funding is meant to offset the costs of assisted living.

The eligibility requirements are complex, factoring in unreimbursed medical expenses, and application to the program can be confusing. Potential applicants should visit their local VA benefits office for further information and to apply.

Assisted Living Bridge Loans

For individuals or families in need of short-term funding for assisted living, bridge loans can provide up to 12 months of payments and may be ideal for seniors awaiting benefit approval or funds from a home sale. Bridge loans can also be used to cover initial expenses of assisted living, such as move-in costs. 

Because a single loan can have multiple borrowers, the importance of individual creditworthiness diminishes, improving approval odds, and since family members generally apply for bridge loans, the age and health of the senior receiving services don’t impact the chance of approval. Lenders do require information about the anticipated source of permanent funding.

Bridge loans can be taken as lump-sum disbursements or as a line of credit. Once an application is submitted, the loan’s approval time is often very fast. For additional information on assisted living bridge loans, contact Elderlife Financial Services.

Assisted Living Resources in Pensacola

Senior Centers

Older Pensacola residents can choose from several community centers offering senior programming. The city’s senior centers provide education, physical activity and special events to foster socialization and to enhance the overall quality of life for area seniors.

Bayview Senior Resource Center
2000 East Lloyd Street, Pensacola, FL 32503
(850) 436-5190

Wesco Senior Center
904 N. 57th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32506
(850) 453-7431

Beulah Senior Citizens Center and Community Park
7425 Woodside Road, Pensacola, FL 32526
(850) 941-6057

Lifelong Learning Resources

For seniors looking to learn about relevant health or financial topics or for those just wanting to explore something new, Pensacola provides several resources for continuing education.

Senior Spirit at Sacred Heart
5110 Bayou Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32503
(850) 416-6547

Pensacola State College Continuing Education
1000 College Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32504
(850) 484-1000

Agencies on Aging

Seniors in need of community resources can contact these local agencies, which specialize in the needs of the aging. Several local agencies provide information, referrals and support to area seniors, as well as their families and caregivers.

Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc.
875 Royce Street, Pensacola, FL 32503
(850) 432-1475

Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
5090 Commerce Park Circle, Pensacola, FL 32505
(850) 494-7101