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The Cost of Elder Care in Florida (2026)
With one of the largest senior populations in the country, Florida has a well-developed but waitlist-managed Medicaid long-term care system. Here's what care costs across the state and how the SMMC program works.
Updated June 2026 · Costs calibrated to 2025 published medians
| Type of care in Florida | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| In-home care (per hour) | $32/hr |
| In-home care (~30 hrs/week) | $4,160/mo |
| Adult day care (per day) | $90/day |
| Assisted living | $5,500/mo |
| Memory care | $6,900/mo |
| Nursing home (private room) | $11,200/mo |
How Florida pays for care: SMMC Long-Term Care
Florida delivers long-term care through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Long-Term Care program, which replaced the state's older HCBS waivers. For residents 65+ who need a nursing-facility level of care, it can pay for in-home services, adult day care, and the care portion of assisted living — with the goal of delaying or preventing nursing-home placement.
- Three agencies share the work: AHCA runs the program, the Department of Children and Families determines financial eligibility, and the Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) determines medical eligibility.
- Some services, like homemaker and personal care, can be consumer-directed, letting you hire your own caregiver — including relatives.
Where to start in Florida
Call the Elder Helpline (1-800-96-ELDER) or your regional ADRC to request a long-term care screening. Higher medical need and frailty raise your priority score, so be thorough and honest about your parent's daily struggles during the screening.
Estimate Florida care costs for your situation
Use the free calculator to adjust care type and hours for Florida, see what support may cover, and email yourself the plan — or get the full 16-page Planning Kit.
Open the Florida calculator → Get the Planning Kit — $24 →Frequently asked questions
How much does assisted living cost in Florida in 2026?
Assisted living in Florida averages around $5,500 per month as a planning estimate, near the national median. Memory care runs higher at about $6,900, and a private nursing-home room averages roughly $11,200.
How do I apply for Medicaid long-term care in Florida?
Start by calling the statewide Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) or your local Aging and Disability Resource Center to request a phone screening. The screening takes about 45–60 minutes and produces a priority score that determines your place on the SMMC Long-Term Care waitlist.
Is there a waitlist for Florida Medicaid long-term care?
Yes. The SMMC Long-Term Care program has a limited number of enrollment slots, so a prioritized waitlist managed by the Department of Elder Affairs is common. Higher medical need raises your priority score, so it's important to be screened early and describe your parent's needs thoroughly.
Cost figures are planning estimates calibrated to published 2025 median rates and adjusted for Florida; actual prices vary by provider, region within the state, and level of care. Program names and rules are summarized for general education and change over time — confirm current details with the official state agency. This is not legal, financial, or benefits advice. © 2026 CarePath.