138 Assisted Living Communities in Pinellas County, Florida

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $3,250 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 138 Assisted Living Communities in Pinellas County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Pinellas County, FL

• Assisted Living: $3,250
• Nursing Home Care: $8,319
• In-home Care: $3,718
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,907

Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care survey collects senior care cost data nationwide, and the study shows that assisted living costs in Pinellas County are below the state ($3,500) and national ($4,000) averages. To the south, assisted living costs are higher in North Port ($3,874), Punta Gorda ($3,400) and Cape Coral ($4,000), while costs are lower east of Pinellas County in Sebring ($3,038) and Lakeland ($2,808). 

Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Pinellas County, so data for the closest city, Tampa, was used.

Senior care costs are based on the level of care, the number of direct service hours provided and the location. In Pinellas County, monthly nursing home care costs are more than $5,000 higher than assisted living. In-home care from a homemaker ($3,718) or home health aide ($4,096) is also more expensive than assisted living based on 44 hours of direct service weekly. When comparing the true cost of each type of senior care, it’s important to recognize that residential services for seniors include room and board, while in-home service costs are in addition to ongoing living expenses, such as food, utilities and home maintenance. 

Medicaid is the nationwide health coverage program for low-income children, adults and seniors who would otherwise be unable to afford health insurance. It’s jointly funded through the federal and state governments, and Florida’s Medicaid is administered through the Agency for Health Care Administration. 

To qualify for no-cost Medicaid coverage, seniors 65 and older must earn no more than $2,313 when applying as an individual and own no more than $2,000 in countable assets. Senior couples applying together may earn no more than $4,626 per month and own no more than $3,000 in countable assets. 

Under Medicaid rules some assets are exempt, including one vehicle, a non-revocable burial trust, personal belongings and the principle residence of the applicant, valued up to a maximum of $585,000. 

Statewide Medicaid Managed Care, Long Term Care Program

The Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care waiver program is designed to reduce nursing home placement rates among Medicaid-eligible seniors. It provides a variety of medical services that support seniors who need nursing home level of care but wish to remain in their homes or an assisted living facility. 

In accordance with federal law, all seniors who seek Medicaid-funded home and community-based services must be evaluated by a registered nurse or designated assessor through Florida’s Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services program. 

If the CARES assessor recommends enrollment in the SMMC-LTC, seniors may be provided with one or more of the following services within an assisted living facility: 

 

 

• Attendant or personal care
• Homemaker services
• Intermittent or skilled nursing
• Medication administration and management
• Physical, occupational, speech or respiratory therapy
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Medical supplies 

 

For more information about Florida Medicaid and the SMMC LTC program, contact the Florida Elder Helpline at (800) 963-5337. 

 

 

Optional State Supplementation

Florida seniors who receive Social Security payments and live in an assisted living facility due to age-related mental or physical deterioration may qualify for an SSI cash top up through the Florida Optional State Supplementation program. 

OSS provides additional funds for use towards the room-and-board portion of assisted living costs. Eligible seniors may receive a maximum of $78.40 per individual or up to $156.80 per couple. 

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

Assisted Living Bridge Loans

Elderlife Financial offers assisted living bridge loans for seniors who need access to cash to facilitate a move into an assisted living facility. Available in terms up to 12 months and with interest-only monthly payments, these loans provide a short-term solution for seniors who are selling their homes or waiting for their benefits to begin paying for their assisted living costs. 

Seniors can apply over the phone for free, and in most cases, lenders provide a response to the loan application within 24 hours. For more information, contact Elderlife Financial at (888) 228-4500. 

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

Pinellas County seniors age 55 and older who are on Medicaid and/or Medicare and need the level of care normally provided in a nursing home may be eligible for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. PACE may also be available on a private-pay basis.

PACE provides program participants with comprehensive medical and nonmedical services to help seniors age in place within their community. Seniors may live in their own homes or an assisted living facility. 

PACE includes all Medicaid services along with access to an adult day health facility, where seniors can participate in organized recreational programming, congregate meals and restorative therapies, such as physical, occupational or speech therapy. All prescription medications, primary care and medically necessary supplies are provided. 

Enrollment in PACE is voluntary; however, seniors who enroll in PACE are automatically excluded from all other Medicaid-funded services to prevent service duplication. 

For more information contact Suncoast PACE at (727) 289-0062. 

Veterans and survivors can get help filing VA benefit claims and appeals, access assistance obtaining documents and learn about VA programs at any of the four Pinellas County Veterans Services offices. VA health care services are available through the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, and there are a number of active veterans service clubs in the county. 

Bay Pines VA Healthcare System
10000 Bay Pines Boulevard, Bay Pines, FL 33744
(727) 398-6661

American Legion Post 104
7550 60th Street North, Pinellas Park, FL 33781-3260
(727) 544-5137

VFW Post 10094
14450 Walsingham Road, Largo, FL 33774
(727) 596-8959

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.