Home Care in Florida

The average starting cost of home care in Florida is $29per hour, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. Based on our ranking methodology, the top-rated home care agencies in Florida are Preferred Care at Home of South Miami, Home Helpers Home Care of Tarpon Springs, FL or Homewatch CareGivers of South Tampa, FL.

Home care in Florida helps seniors stay safe and comfortable at home while receiving the support they need. With a large senior population across cities such as Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida offers a wide range of home care options. Families often focus on finding trustworthy caregivers, consistent service, and the right level of support while balancing concerns about cost and reliability.

Home care provides nonmedical support like help with daily activities, while home health care involves clinical services provided by licensed medical professionals. While many agencies offer both nonmedical support and home health care services, A Place for Mom’s network consists of nonmedical home care providers. A Place for Mom has partnered with 825 home care agencies to help seniors and their loved ones find the right provider.

Home care in Florida typically costs $5,476 per hour, which is slightly below the national average, $32.^[01] Costs can vary across Florida. For example:

• Higher costs are common in areas coastal areas with higher costs of living, such as Sarasota, Naples, and Venice
• Lower costs may be found in inland or less densely populated regions

Rates can differ by community based on caregiver availability, travel distance, and local demand.^[01] What a family pays will also depend on the agency, services provided, and how often care is scheduled.

Monthly expenses depend largely on the number and length of caregiver visits. A lighter schedule may provide enough time for companionship, meal preparation, errands, or help around the house. Someone who needs regular assistance with bathing, dressing, mobility, or other personal care may need more frequent visits.

The following costs are estimated based on the average hourly rate in Florida:

• Part-time care (20 hours/week): $2,489 per month
• Full-time care (44 hours/week): $5,476 per month

Several factors can affect home care costs in Florida, including:

• The type and amount of help your loved one needs
• Specialized support, such as dementia care
• The number and length of visits
• Evening, overnight, weekend, or holiday schedules
• 24-hour or live-in care
• Caregiver experience and training
• The availability of caregivers in the local area
• Agency minimum-hour requirements

In Florida, most families pay for nonmedical home care using a combination of private and public sources, which may include long-term care insurance, Medicaid, and other payment methods.

Private pay options

Private pay can give families more control over the agency, schedule, and type of assistance their loved one receives. Families commonly use a mix of income sources, assets, and insurance policies to pay for care, including:

• Social Security benefits
• Savings, investments, or pensions
• Long-term care insurance
• Life insurance conversion
• Reverse mortgage

VA benefits

Eligible veterans may qualify for assistance with care at home through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Depending on the program, this support may include help with daily activities, temporary relief for family caregivers, or additional pension payments that can be used toward care.

Veterans enrolled in VA health care may qualify for home- and community-based services, including:

• Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care, which may provide help with bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, and other daily activities
• Respite Care, which provides short-term support while giving family caregivers time away from caregiving responsibilities

Eligibility and availability can vary based on the veteran’s needs and local VA resources. Some veterans may also have a copay.

VA Aid and Attendance provides additional monthly pension payments to eligible veterans and survivors who need help with daily activities or are largely confined to their homes. Families may be able to use these funds toward the cost of nonmedical home care.^[05]

Florida families can contact the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs for help understanding state and federal benefits and finding an accredited Veterans Service Officer.

Florida Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps eligible people pay for health care and long-term services. Florida Medicaid may cover home- and community-based long-term care through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC LTC) program. Eligible adults generally must meet Medicaid financial requirements and need a nursing facility level of care. The program is not an entitlement, so eligible applicants may have to wait for services.^[06]

Depending on the person’s assessed needs and approved care plan, services may include:

• Personal care assistance
• Homemaker services
• Respite care
• Adult companion care
• Home-delivered meals
• Medication administration
• Personal emergency response systems
• Transportation

SMMC LTC also offers the Participant Direction Option (PDO). This option allows eligible members living at home to choose and manage workers for certain approved services. Participants can hire qualified family members, friends, or neighbors, subject to program requirements. ^[07]

Medicare

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for adults 65 and older and some younger people with disabilities. It may cover limited help with bathing, dressing, grooming, or toileting when your loved one is also receiving qualifying skilled care through Medicare’s home health benefit. Medicare generally doesn’t pay for ongoing personal care, companionship, meal preparation, or housekeeping when those are the only services needed.^[08]

Read more:Does Medicare Cover Home Health Care?

Florida regulates nonmedical in-home care differently depending on the services a provider offers. Home health agencies that provide personal care or medical home health services must be licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Businesses that provide only homemaker or companion services are exempt from home health agency licensure but generally must register with AHCA.^[09]

Does Florida require home care agencies to have a license?

It depends on the services provided. Florida requires home health agencies that provide personal care or medical home health services to be licensed by AHCA. Providers that offer only homemaker or companion services generally don’t need a home health agency license, but they must register with AHCA.^[09,10]

Does Florida conduct inspections of home care agencies?

Yes. AHCA may inspect licensed home health agencies and investigate complaints or possible violations. Inspection requirements vary by provider type. Businesses that provide only homemaker or companion services are registered with AHCA and don’t follow the same inspection requirements as licensed home health agencies.^[11]

How to check licensing and inspection reports for home care agencies in Florida

Families can use AHCA’s FloridaHealthFinder.gov to check whether a provider is licensed or registered and review available inspection information. Check the provider type carefully because a home health agency is licensed, while a business that offers only homemaker or companion services may be registered instead.

Licensed agencies must meet requirements related to:

• Staff qualifications
• Safety protocols
• Care standards

Some agencies may also seek voluntary accreditation from organizations such as The Joint Commission, which can indicate a commitment to meeting nationally recognized quality standards.^[12]

What are hiring practices for home care agencies in Florida?

Florida requires covered home care workers to complete a Level 2 background screening before working with clients. Training and qualification requirements depend on the worker’s role and the type of provider. For example, home health aides working for state-licensed home health agencies generally must complete required training or demonstrate competency. Florida does not separately license or certify home health aides.^[13,14]

Choosing the right agency is one of the most important steps. Here are some tips to guide your decision:

• Check the provider’s status. Use AHCA’s provider search to confirm that the agency has the license or registration required for the services it provides. Home health agencies are licensed, while businesses that provide only homemaker or companion services may be registered instead.  A Place for Mom verifies licensing for agencies in our network twice per year, helping families feel more confident in their search.
• Review caregiver screening. Ask about criminal background checks, reference checks, and how the agency handles concerns about a caregiver.
• Read reviews and testimonials. Look for consistent feedback about caregiver reliability, communication, compassion, and caregiver consistency.
• Ask about training. Ensure caregivers receive proper onboarding and ongoing education.
• Request detailed pricing information. Ask about hourly rates, minimum service requirements, weekend or holiday rates, overnight care, cancellation fees, and additional charges.
• Confirm available services. Make sure the agency can provide the support your loved one needs, such as companionship, bathing, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, or dementia care.
• Ask how care is supervised. Find out who manages the care plan, how often supervisors check in, and whom your family should contact if your loved one’s needs change.
• Plan for backup care. Ask what the agency does when a scheduled caregiver is sick, late, or unable to visit.
• Meet potential caregivers. A good personality match can make a big difference when it comes to the comfort of your loved one.

Read more: How to Choose a Home Care Agency