13 Assisted Living Communities in Dunedin, Florida

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $3,250 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 13 Assisted Living Communities in Dunedin and several in surrounding areas: The Cost of Senior Care in Dunedin, FL

• Assisted Living: $3,250
• Nursing Home Care: $8,319
• In-home Care: $3,718
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,907

Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study covers senior care costs throughout the country. The study shows that the average monthly cost of assisted living in Dunedin is below the national ($4,000) and state ($3,500) averages. To the south, costs are higher in Cape Coral ($4,000), the North Port Area ($3,874) and Punta Gorda ($3,400), while costs are lower to the east of Dunedin in Lakeland ($2,808). 

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

Senior care costs are based on the type of care provided, location and number of direct service hours. In Dunedin, nursing home care is more than double the price of in-home care services and assisted living because nursing homes provide around-the-clock skilled nursing for seniors who often have complex medical needs.  Assisted living, which includes room and board, costs less than either  homemaker or home health aide based on 44 hours per week of care. Adult day health services are the least expensive option; however, these services are delivered in a group setting in the community for between 5 and 8 hours on weekdays and don’t include any in-home care or assistance. 

 

Approximately 16% of Florida residents have no-cost basic health care coverage through Medicaid, the nationwide health protection program for low-income Americans. Funded by the state and federal governments, Medicaid covers primary and emergency health care services, health screening programs and long-term care for seniors. 

In Florida, Medicaid is administered through the Agency for Health Care Administration. Seniors age 65 and older who earn no more than $2,313 a month and own $2,000 or less in countable assets may qualify for free Medicaid. The income limit for senior couples is $4,626 and the asset limit is $3,000. 

Income from all sources is considered when applying for Medicaid, including wages, alimony, pensions and investment income. Most assets are also included; however, there are exemptions. One vehicle, a non-revocable burial trust, personal effects and a home in which the applicant lives worth up to $585,000 are exempt under Medicaid asset limit rules. 

Qualified Income Trusts

Seniors with incomes that exceed Medicaid limits may establish a Qualified Income Trust, also referred to as a Miller Trust, in order to achieve Medicaid eligibility. 

A QIT is a non-revocable legal agreement between a senior and the state. The senior must deposit their excess income into the QIT monthly while receiving Medicaid coverage, and the money in the trust can only be used to pay specific medical expenses. Upon death, any remaining funds are paid to the state up to the amount which the state paid on behalf of the senior. 

Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program

Florida seniors who receive Medicaid coverage and need the type of care normally provided in a nursing home may qualify for the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program. 

This Medicaid waiver is designed to reduce nursing home placement rates by providing seniors residing in an assisted living facility with medically-necessary supports designed to keep seniors safe and as independent as possible. 

Services through the SMMC LTC may include: 

• Attendant care and personal care
• Home meal delivery
• Medication management 
• Case management
• Medical supplies 
• Home accessibility equipment
• Transportation assistance
• Skilled nursing
• Adult day health care

To qualify, seniors must complete an assessment conducted by a registered nurse or designated assessor through the Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services program. The CARES program identifies long-term care needs and determines the most appropriate placement for seniors, which may include enrollment in the SMMC LTC program. 

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

Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

Pinellas County residents age 55 and older who require the level of care normally provided in a nursing home, are eligible for dual Medicaid and Medicare or Medicaid only and who can safely live in the community with support may qualify for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. PACE enrollment may also be available on a private pay basis. 

The PACE program is designed to help seniors age in place while living in their own home or an assisted living facility. Services are delivered through a multi-disciplinary team based at a central PACE Day Center, which includes an outpatient medical clinic, recreational facilities and secure outdoor areas. 

PACE enrollees are provided with primary and emergency medical care, all medications and medical supplies, transportation assistance and in-home visits as needed.

Note: PACE enrollment is optional and seniors can leave the program at any time. 

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

Optional State Supplementation

Low-income seniors age 65 and older who receive Social Security Income benefits and need to live in an assisted living facility due to illness, disability or age-related deterioration may be eligible for state-sponsored SSI top-up funds through the Optional State Supplementation program. 

The OSS provides qualified seniors with up to $78.40 per month for use towards the room and board portion of their assisted living costs ($156.80 per couple). This money is added to the monthly SSI payment. 

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

Veterans can access VA medical services at the nearby Palm Harbor VA Clinic, an outpatient clinic affiliated with the Bay Pines VA Health care System. Free assistance with VA pensions, funeral benefits, survivor benefits and appeals is available to veterans and survivors at Pinellas County Veteran Services. There are also two active veterans service organizations, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, located in Dunedin.

Pinellas County Veterans Services – Clearwater Office
2189 Cleveland Street, Suite 263, Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 464-8460

Palm Harbor VA Clinic
35209 US Highway 19 North, Palm Harbor, FL 34684-1908
(727) 734-5276

SPC Zachary L. Shannon Memorial Post 2550
360 Douglas Avenue, Dunedin, FL 34698-7912
(727) 733-6107

American Legion Post 275
360 Wilson Street, Dunedin, FL 34698
(727) 733-8153

The Hale Senior Activity Center also offers free health screening clinics, support groups and referrals to local aid agencies. Seniors can access free food and household supplies at the Dunedin Cares Inc. Food Pantry.  Dunedin Cares Inc. Food Pantry
1630 Pinehurst Road, Dunedin, FL 34698
(813) 215-7773

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