Assisted Living in Tarpon Springs, FL

Assisted Living Costs in Tarpon Springs

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, the monthly cost of assisted living in Tarpon Springs is below the state ($3,500) and national ($4,000) averages. Prices are notably higher in cities to the north, such as Homosassa Springs ($4,125) and The Villages ($5,031), while assisted living costs less in nearby Lakeland ($2,808). Costs are also higher in cities south of Tarpon Springs, including Cape Coral ($4,000), Punta Gorda ($3,400) and the North Port area ($3,874). 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Tarpon Springs, so data for the closest city, Tampa, was used. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

When comparing the cost of senior care, it’s important to understand that each option involves different types of care services. In Tarpon Springs, nursing home care prices are more than double in-home care and assisted living because nursing homes offer around-the-clock skilled nursing for seniors who often have complex medical needs.

Based on 44 hours of service weekly, homemaker services and home health aides cost more than assisted living, but in-home care doesn’t include home expenses, including utilities, rent/mortgage, groceries and grounds maintenance. Adult day health services are the least expensive option because this type of care is the least involved and it’s provided in a communal setting on weekdays only. 

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Tarpon Springs

Medicaid in Florida

Medicaid is the national health coverage program that provides basic health care to low-income Americans. It’s jointly funded by state and federal governments, and in Florida, approximately 64% of all Medicaid expenditures go towards services for the elderly and disabled.

The Florida Medicaid program is administered by the Agency for Health Care Administration. Seniors aged 65 and older who want to enroll in Medicaid must meet specific criteria that limits income and asset ownership. 

Individual seniors can earn no more than three times (300%) the current federal poverty level, or $2,313 per month ($4,626 per couple). Income from all sources is considered, including wages, pension and alimony payments and income from investments and real estate rentals. 

Applicants may own up to $2,000 ($3,000 per couple) in countable assets, including cash, bank account balances, property, stocks and bonds. Some assets are exempt, such as one vehicle owned by the applicant, personal effects and a home that’s the principal residence of the applicant valued at no more than $585,000. 

Note: As an income cap state, Florida doesn’t provide the option to spend down excess income in order to reach Medicaid eligibility levels. 

Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program

Seniors who qualify for Medicaid coverage and require a nursing home level of care may be eligible for enhanced support services delivered within an assisted living setting through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program. 

This Medicaid waiver delays or prevents nursing home placement among seniors by providing medically necessary services and items, which may include:

• Skilled and intermittent nursing
• Personal or attendant care
• Transportation assistance
• A personal emergency response system 
• Durable medical equipment
• Rehabilitation therapy
• Case management
• Medication management and administration
• Nutritional assessment
• Homemaker service
• Adult day care

In accordance with federal law, all Medicaid enrollees who request long-term care services such as the SMMC LTC must be screened through the Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services program. CARES staff recommend the most appropriate, least intrusive care option based on seniors’ medical needs. 

For more information on Medicaid and the SMMC LTC, contact the Florida Elder Helpline for Pinellas County at (727) 217-8111. 

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

Seniors aged 55 and older in Tarpon Springs who qualify for Medicare and/or Medicaid and need the type of care normally provided in a nursing home may be eligible for enrollment in the Pinellas County Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. Seniors can also enroll in PACE on a private-pay basis.

PACE helps seniors in their homes or an assisted living setting by providing comprehensive, individualized services designed to promote safety and independence. PACE services are delivered by an integrated network of medical professionals, therapists and caregivers. 

Participation in PACE is voluntary, and once enrolled, seniors must receive all of their health care services through their PACE provider or an authorized PACE affiliate. PACE participants can leave the program by providing 30 days notice to the provider. 

The following services are included with PACE:

• Access to the barrier-free PACE day center equipped with a computer room, mediation room, gardening area and nature paths
• Recreational and social activities, such as bingo games, fitness classes and music groups
• Communal meals
• Physical, occupational and/or speech therapy
• Case management
• Primary and emergency medical care
• Transportation to and from the PACE center
• Wellness programs
• Medications and medical supplies as needed
• Home visits

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

Optional State Supplementation

Seniors aged 65 and older who receive Social Security Income benefits and cannot live on their own due to medical issues may qualify for a state-funded top-up benefit for use towards the room and board portion of assisted living costs. 

The Optional State Supplementation program provides up to $78.40 per month ($156.80 per couple), and these funds are added onto the regular SSI payment. 

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

Assisted Living Resources in Tarpon Springs

Senior Recreation and Leisure Services

The Tarpon Springs Recreation Division offers a number of programs and classes geared towards seniors, including weekly duplicate bridge and mahjong games, chair yoga, tai chi and Swedish weaving. These classes and groups are held at the Tarpon Springs Community Center, an ADA-accessible recreation center. 

The Tarpon Springs Public Library also hosts a number of special events for seniors, including senior game day, a biweekly coffee social hour for seniors and afternoon movie screenings.

Tarpon Springs Recreation Division – Community Center
400 S. Walton Ave., Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 942-5628

Tarpon Springs Public Library 
138 E. Lemon St., Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 943-4922

Community Aid Agencies

Seniors who need help navigating health care options, want referrals to local aid agencies or are looking for assistance with area resources can visit the City of Tarpon Springs Senior Information Center at the Tarpon Springs Library every Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Resources for Veterans

Veterans who need help applying for VA benefits, filing appeals or accessing service records can contact Pinellas County Veterans Services. VA health care is available at the Palm Harbor Community-Based Outpatient Clinic. There is also an active America Legion branch where veterans can participate in special events, access member discounts and learn about area resources. 

Pinellas County Veterans Services – Tarpon Springs Office
301 S. Disston Ave., Tarpon Springs, Florida 34689
(727) 942-5457

Palm Harbor Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
35209 US Highway 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL 34684
(727) 734-5276