Assisted Living Communities in Port Saint Lucie, Florida

Port Saint Lucie is one of southern Florida’s most affordable options for assisted living. Monthly rates are lower than they are in Miami, where seniors pay $4,385 per month. At $5,300 per month, Naples is the state’s most expensive city for assisted living. There are also more affordable options. In the Sebring area, seniors pay an average of $3,436 per month, and in Sebastian, assisted living costs an average of $3,350.

When budgeting for assisted living, many Port Saint Lucie seniors and families rely on a mix of public and private payment options. By understanding eligibility criteria and scopes of coverage for public payments, prospective residents can effectively plan for out-of-pocket expenses.

• Medicaid: Many assisted living communities in Port Saint Lucie accept payment through Florida’s Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program. This program doesn’t pay for housing, but its benefits include personal care services, housekeeping and maintenance, meals and medication management.
• Medicare: Medicare only pays for medically necessary services, making most assisted living services ineligible for coverage. Even so, seniors who receive third-party skilled nursing services in assisted living can use Medicare to pay for approved expenses, bringing down total monthly care costs.
• VA Benefits: The Veterans Administration provides an increased monthly pension for qualifying assisted living residents through the Aid and Attendance and Housebound programs. It also offers the Geriatrics and Extended Care program, which has benefits such as coverage for personal care services and meals.
• Private payments: All assisted living communities in Port Saint Lucie accept private payments for housing, meals and personal care services. Payments include money from retirement savings, monthly income and annuities. 

Seniors also have other care options to choose from. The most affordable option is adult day health care. It provides seniors with part-time care and costs an average of $1,517 per month. In-home care and home health care services are great options for seniors who want to age in place at home. They’re a little more expensive than assisted living, at $4,671 per month. Those requiring higher levels of care are best suited to a nursing home, where a semiprivate room costs $8,164 per month.

Florida’s long-term care facilities, including assisted living communities, are all licensed and regulated under the direction of the Agency for Health Care Administration, Bureau of Health Facility Regulation. An initial inspection is conducted prior to licensure, with follow-up inspections carried out every 2 years to ensure a facility is operating in accordance with state and federal regulations.

• Although the cost of living in Port Saint Lucie surpasses the national average by about 6%, prices for health care, housing, food and utilities trend low compared to U.S. baselines. The relatively lower costs may result in competitively priced senior care solutions.
• Florida doesn’t have a state income tax, meaning assisted living residents can put a high percentage of their retirement income and savings toward care expenses.
• Port Saint Lucie's subtropical climate brings warm, sunny weather all year long, appealing to prospective assisted living residents who enjoy outdoor activities. In the summer, average high temperatures trend near 89 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter weather is milder, with lower humidity levels and daytime highs near 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Port Saint Lucie ranks as safer than more than half of U.S. communities, with the city reporting about nine crimes per 1,000 residents annually. Both property and violent offenses occur at a much lower rate here than in a typical Florida or U.S. city, promoting safe retirement living for assisted living residents.
• Port Saint Lucie’s seniors have access to world-class health care facilities, including  Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital and HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital. The city also houses Port St. Lucie Hospital, which offers specialized geriatric mental health care services through its Senior Adult Mental Health Program.