Assisted Living Community in Vero Beach, Florida

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $3,524 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 Assisted Living Community in Vero Beach and several in surrounding areas.

• Assisted living: $3,524
• Nursing home semiprivate room: $8,334
• In-home care: $4,099
• Adult day health services: $1,300

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, the average cost of assisted living in Vero Beach is comparable to the state average of $3,500 and lower than the national average of $4,000. Vero Beach assisted living prices are slightly higher than prices in Tampa ($3,250) and Miami ($3,350) and significantly lower than Naples ($5,448) and The Villages ($5,031). 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Vero Beach, so data for the closest city in the same county, Sebastian, was used. 

Cost of Assisted Living Comparision Chart

Senior care costs vary widely based on the type of service, the location and the number of direct care hours provided each month. In Vero Beach, nursing home care costs more than twice what assisted living does, while in-home services, such as homemaker or home health aide, also cost more than assisted living.  When comparing the costs of different senior care options it’s important to factor in additional day-to-day expenses of in-home care, such as groceries, utilities and home maintenance. These costs are usually included with residential care services for seniors.  Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $3,524

• Homemaker services: $4,099

• Home health aide: $4,195

• Adult day health: $1,300

• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $8,334

 

Medicaid is a nationwide health coverage program for low-income, low-asset Americans of all ages. It’s jointly funded by the federal and state governments. In Florida, Medicaid is administered by the Agency for Health Care Administration, a statewide health policy and planning entity of the Florida Department of Children and Families. 

Permanent Florida residents aged 65 and older who meet strict income and asset limits may qualify for no-cost Medicaid coverage, including coverage for assisted living costs. Single seniors must earn less than $2,313 a month and own less than $2,000 in countable assets, while couples applying together must earn less than $4,626 a month and own less than $3,000 worth of countable assets. 

Income includes wages, pensions, alimony and investment interest. Countable assets include cash and bank account balances, stocks, bonds and all real estate (except for a principal residence of the applicant(s) that is located in Florida and valued at $585,000 or less). 

Florida Medicaid applicants are also subject to a 5-year look-back period to audit any assets that were sold or given away during the five years prior to their Medicaid application. If this audit reveals assets that could have otherwise been liquidated to fund senior-care services, Medicaid may impose a penalty in the form of an ineligibility period, which is calculated based on the value of the assets divided by the average cost of private nursing home care. 

Seniors aged 65 and older who qualify for Medicaid coverage and require residential care services at a nursing home level, may be eligible for assistance through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care, Long-Term Care Program (SMMC LTC). 

The SMMC LTC program helps to delay or prevent nursing home placement of Florida seniors by funding additional care services within an assisted living setting. 

In accordance with federal law, all potential program participants must complete a Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services (CARES), which will be reviewed by a designated registered nurse or physician. 

Seniors who are approved for the SMMC LTC program will be provided with long-term services based on their needs. These services can include: 

• Adult companion and attendant care
• Adult day health care
• Medical equipment and supplies
• Intermittent and skilled nursing
• Medication administration and management
• Personal care
• Speech, physical, occupational or respiratory therapy
• Homemaker 
• Transportation

To learn more about Medicaid and the SMMC LTC program, contact the Indian River County elder helpline at (866) 684-5885. 

Optional State Supplementation

Low-income seniors who are 65 and older, qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and are unable to live independently due to mental and/or physical deterioration may qualify for an SSI increase for use towards the room-and-board portion of assisted living costs through the Optional State Supplementation (OSS) program. 

OSS provides up to $78.40 for an individual and up to $156.80 per couple. Note that applicants may not combine OSS payments with Medicaid benefits, and seniors must be assessed as needing residential care by a Florida Department of Children and Families Adult Services case manager. 

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

VA Aid and Attendance Benefits

Recipients of a regular (nondisability) VA pension who meet one or more of the following criteria may be eligible for additional benefits:

• Require daily help from another person to perform activities of daily living such as dressing, grooming or adjusting a prosthetic device

• Are largely bedridden due to illness or disability

• Reside in a nursing home as a result of mental or physical deterioration

• Have eyesight that is 5/200 or worse with corrective lenses or is limited to a visual field of 5 or fewer degrees

These benefits are available for both qualified veterans and qualified surviving spouses. Veterans who were previously disqualified from receiving a VA pension due to excess income may be eligible for a pension and additional benefits under the higher rates provided through the Aid and Attendance Benefit. 

VA Housebound Allowance

The VA Housebound Allowance is available to veterans and surviving spouses who are largely limited to their principal residence as a result of a permanent disability. Note that the disability does not need to be service related. 

Aid and Attendance Benefits cannot be combined with the VA Housebound Allowance. 

To apply for either Aid and Attendance Benefits or the Housebound Allowance, contact the St. Petersburg Regional Benefits Satellite Office in West Palm Beach at (561) 422-8302.

Veterans who need assistance applying for benefits and VA services can contact either the St. Petersburg Regional Benefits Satellite Office or the Indian River Veterans Services. The Vero Beach CBOC provides outpatient health services, and the Veterans Council of Indian River County provides free transportation for veterans to and from the VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach, FL. 

Vero Beach is also home to an American Legion post where veterans can socialize, participate in weekly meals and access information about local services. 

Indian River Veterans Services
2525 St. Lucie Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 226-1499

Vero Beach CBOC
372 17th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 299-4624

St. Petersburg Regional Benefits Satellite Office
735 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33410
(561) 422-8302

The Senior Resource Association is a nonprofit organization that offers a wide range of services and supports to seniors in Vero Beach, including access to door-to-door transportation and help with Medicaid and legal planning.  Senior Resource Association
694 14th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 569-0760

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