1 Assisted Living Community in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

The average cost of assisted living in the area is $4,425 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the area, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 1 Assisted Living Community in Ponte Vedra Beach and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

• Assisted Living: $4,425
• Nursing Home Care: $7,118
• In-home Care: $3,670
• Adult Day Health Services: $2,080

At an average price of $4,425 per month, assisted living costs in Ponte Vedra Beach are above the state ($3,500) and national ($4,000) averages. Prices are similar in the state capital of Tallahassee ($4,339), and slightly lower in Panama City ($4,200). 

Overall, assisted living in Florida is more affordable that many other states, with prices starting at $2,808 in Lakeland. Costs in large cities, such as Tampa ($3,250), Orlando ($3,275) and Miami ($3,350), are well below the national average. 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Ponte Vedra Beach, so data for the closest city, Jacksonville, was used. 

Senior care costs are based on the level of care, location and number of service hours provided. In Ponte Vedra Beach, nursing home care is the most expensive option because it involves 24/7 medical care in a state-licensed nursing facility.  At $4,425 per month, assisted living costs slightly more than 44 hours of weekly in-home care from a home health aide ($4,290). It’s important to recognize that the price of residential services for seniors usually include day-to-day living expenses, such as meals, utilities, accommodation and local transportation. 

 

Medicaid is the nationwide government-funded health plan for low-income individuals that funds basic services, such as hospital, primary physician and long-term care. Medicaid is administered at the state level, and state plans may include optional benefits, such as dental and vision care, community-based services, case management and rehab therapies. 

The Florida Medicaid program is administered by the Agency for Health Care Administration. To qualify for long-term Medicaid coverage, seniors must:

• Have a monthly income of $2,313 or less ($4,626 per couple), and
• Own countable assets worth no more than $2,000 ($3,000 per couple), and
• Be permanent Florida residents, and
• Be aged 65 or older, or
• Have a qualifying permanent disability

Countable assets include cash and bank account balances, vacation properties, boats and recreational vehicles. An owner-occupied home with up to $585,000, a personal vehicle, household furnishings and prepaid burial contracts are exempt. 

Medically Needy Program

Seniors with high ongoing medical expenses who are ineligible for Medicaid due to excess income may qualify for enrollment through the Medically Needy program. 

Also referred to as a Medicaid spend-down or share-of-cost program, MN allows seniors to deduct specific medical costs from their income each month in order to reduce their declared income. Once they have reached their monthly MN spending limit, Medicaid benefits are provided for the remainder of the month. 

Spousal Income and Asset Exemptions

The minimum monthly needs allowance clause allows Medicaid applicants to transfer up to $3,161 per month in income to a spouse who isn’t applying for Medicaid. The transferred amount is deducted from the applicants’ income, which may allow them to achieve Medicaid eligibility. 

The non-applicant, known as the community spouse, is also entitled to half of the couples’ joint assets (in addition to all non-countable assets) up to a $126,420 limit under the community spouse resource allowance rule. 

Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program

The Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care program is a Medicaid nursing home diversion program for seniors aged 65 and older who need help with two or more activities of daily living. This program lets seniors who may otherwise be placed in a nursing facility reside in an assisted living setting by funding enhanced services and supports. 

All seniors who request Medicaid-funded long-term care services, such as the SMMC LTC program, must be assessed through Florida’s Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services. This assessment is conducted by a registered nurse or other designated assessor who evaluates the current and projected care needs of each senior. Seniors who can safely live in an assisted living setting with the supports offered through the SMMC LTC are referred to the program. 

While the SMMC LTC doesn’t cover the room-and-board portion of monthly assisted living fees, seniors in the program are provided with a range of services paid for by Medicaid. These services are assigned based on medical needs and may include:

• Personal care to help with bathing, dressing, grooming and other activities of daily living
• Intermittent and skilled nursing
• Help with medication management and administration
• A wearable medical alert device
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Speech, occupational, respiratory and/or physical therapy
• Homemaker service
• Case management
• Adult day health programming
• Medical supplies and mobility aids

To request a CARES assessment, call the Department of Elder Affairs, Jacksonville office at (904) 391-3920. 

For more information on Florida Medicaid and the Medically Needy program, contact ACCESS Florida’s Northeast Region at (904) 723-2000 or the St. Johns County Elder Helpline at (904) 777-2106. 

Elderlife Assisted Living Bridge Loan

Elderlife Financial offers a 12-month unsecured loan that’s designed to give seniors access to funds to pay for a move into assisted living. Known as an assisted living bridge loan, approval is based on the credit score of the applicants, and up to six people can be listed on the loan application. 

If approved, borrowers can have money from the loan sent directly to their assisted living provider. Monthly payments are interest-only based on the amount drawn on the loan, and the balance can be paid in full at any time without penalty. 

Interest is calculated on a prime-plus basis. There’s no cost to apply, and applications can be processed over the phone. In most cases, applicants receive a response within 24 hours.  

For more information, contact Elderlife Financial at (888) 228-4500. 

Optional State Supplementation

Seniors aged 65 and older who receive Supplemental Security Income benefits may qualify for additional state-sponsored funds for use towards room-and-board costs of assisted living through the Florida Optional State Supplementation program. 

The OSS provides single seniors in assisted living with up to $78.40 per month in SSI top-up funds, while couples may qualify for up to $156.80 per month in addition to their regular SSI benefit. 

For more information, contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213. 

The St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department hosts free activities for seniors aged 50 and older Tuesdays and Thursdays at the W.E. Harris Community Center in nearby St. Augustine. 

Active Adult Program – W.E. Harris Community Center
400 E. Harris St., St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 209-0377

Veterans, dependents and survivors can contact the St. Johns County Veterans Service Office for help with state and VA benefit claims and appeals. There’s also a certified Veterans Service Officer on staff at the nearby Greater Beaches Post #3270 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. 

Extensive VA health services, including primary, specialized, dental, surgical and nursing care, are available at the nearby Jacksonville VA Outpatient Clinic. 

Ponte Vedra Beach is home to an active American Legion where vets and survivors can participate in weekly bingo games, communal meals and social clubs. 

St. Johns County Veterans Service Office
200 San Sebastian View, Suite 1400, St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 209-6160

Jacksonville 1 VA Clinic 
2536 N. Jefferson St., Jacksonville, FL 32209-6525
(904) 475-5800

Palm Valley American Legion Post #233
560 N. Wilderness Trail, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
(904) 285-2484

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