8 Assisted Living Communities in Punta Gorda, Florida

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $3,400 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 8 Assisted Living Communities in Punta Gorda and several in surrounding areas.

• Assisted living: $3,400
• Nursing home semiprivate room: $8,502
• In-home care: $4,385
• Adult day health services: $1,733

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, costs for assisted living in Punta Gorda are lower than the national average of $4,000 and $100 less than the state average of $3,500. Punta Gorda assisted living costs are lower than neighboring areas such as the North Port Area ($3,874) and Cape Coral ($4,000), while further down the coast, costs are significantly higher in Naples ($5,448). 

Costs of senior care are based on the type of service provided, the level of care and whether the care is community-based or residential. In Punta Gorda, nursing home care is more than twice the cost of assisted living. In-home care, such as a home health aide or homemaker, is about $1,000 more a month than assisted living. In addition to paying higher fees, seniors interested in home health services must also account for living expenses, such as rent/mortgage, utilities, maintenance and groceries. These costs are typically included in the price of assisted living care.  Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $3,400

• Homemaker services: $4,385

• Home health aide: $4,385

• Adult day health: $1,733

• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $8,502

 

Medicaid is a national health insurance program that is a joint initiative between the federal and state governments. It acts as a safety net for people who have both a low income and limited assets and may otherwise not have the resources to access health coverage. 

Like all states, Florida Medicaid coverage eligibility includes strict income and countable asset limits. Single seniors in Florida need to earn less than $2,313 per month and own less than $2,000 in cash, bonds and savings to qualify for Medicaid, while couples applying together can make no more than $4,626 per month and own a maximum of $3,000 worth of countable assets. 

For Medicaid, countable assets exclude personal effects such as clothing and jewelry, household items, one vehicle and a primary residence valued at $585,000 or less. 

Florida seniors who are 65 or older and qualify for Medicaid coverage may also be eligible for benefits that can be partially used to pay for assisted living through the Florida Statewide Medicaid Managed Care, Long Term Care Program. Although benefits through the SSMC LTC program cannot be used to pay for the monthly room-and-board portion of assisted living costs, these benefits are available to help with care costs for seniors. Eligible expenses through the SSMC LTC include attendant care, homemakers, medical equipment and supplies, transportation and personal care services. 

To learn more about Florida Medicaid and the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care, Long Term Care Program, call the statewide Florida Elder Helpline at (800) 963-5337 or contact the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration at (877) 711-3662. 

Veterans Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits

Honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses who currently qualify for a regular VA pension may be eligible for additional benefits. This program, known as Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits, involves two separate benefit top-ups in addition to the monthly VA pension. 

Note that benefits from Aid and Attendance cannot be combined with benefits from the Housebound top-up. Veterans who are already receiving the VA disability pension are excluded from these benefits.

Veterans who have previously been disqualified from a regular VA pension may be eligible to receive both a VA pension and top-up benefits as a result of the increased rates provided through the Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits program. 

The Aid and Attendance increased monthly pension amount may be provided to veterans and their surviving spouses who meet at least one of the following conditions: 

 

 

• Have corrected vision in both eyes that tests at 5/200 or worse
• Suffer from concentric concentration of the entire visual field to 5 or fewer degrees
• Are bedridden most or all of the day due to an illness or disability
• Require daily assistance from a caregiver to complete tasks such as bathing, feeding, dressing and managing a prosthetic device




• The Housebound pension top-up is open to applications from veterans and their surviving spouses who have been assessed as 100 percent disabled by VA standards and are functionally limited to their primary place of residence most or all of the time as a result of their disability. 
  
  To learn more about the VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits, contact the Charlotte County Veteran Services Division at (941) 764-5579.

 

 

Several local government agencies and not-for-profit groups offer assistance to seniors in Punta Gorda. These agencies host low-cost lunch programs, help with arranging medical transportation and provide seniors with information about health care options and preventative screening clinics.  Charlotte County Human Services – Senior Services Division
1050 Loveland Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33980
(941) 833-6500 Senior Friendship Centers – Charlotte County
27420 Voyageur Drive, Punta Gorda, FL 33983
(941) 255-0723 Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (serves Charlotte County)
15201 N. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 1100, North Fort Myers, FL 33903
(239) 652-6900

Punta Gorda is home to a large veterans community that is served by a number of government agencies, clinics and social clubs. There is an active American Legion Post in Punta Gorda, and the Charlotte County government operates a Veterans Services Division. 

Charlotte County – Veterans Services Division
1050 Loveland Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33980
(941) 764-5579

D.N. McQueen American Legion Post 1032
101 Taylor Road, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
(941) 639-6337

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