For Families
Home care, adult day, assisted living, memory care or nursing home?
A side-by-side look at every senior care option, what each is for, and how each is usually paid for.
| Option | Best for | Usually paid by |
|---|---|---|
| In-home companion / homemaker | Help with meals, errands, light housekeeping, company | Private pay, some long-term care insurance |
| Home health (skilled) | Short-term nursing or therapy at home after illness or surgery | Medicare when ordered by a doctor and homebound |
| Adult day care | Daytime activities and supervision while a caregiver works or rests | Private pay, some Medicaid and VA programs |
| Independent living | Active seniors who want convenience and community, no care | Private pay |
| Assisted living | Help with daily activities and medications in a licensed home-like setting | Private pay, long-term care insurance, VA benefits, Florida Medicaid LTC (waitlist) |
| Memory care | Dementia with safety risks such as wandering | Same as assisted living, usually at a higher rate |
| Skilled nursing (rehab) | Short-term nursing and therapy after a hospital stay | Medicare (with limits), Medicare Advantage, insurance |
| Skilled nursing (long-term) | 24-hour nursing care | Private pay, Medicaid, long-term care insurance |
| Hospice | Comfort care when a doctor expects 6 months or less if the illness runs its course | Medicare hospice benefit, Medicaid, insurance |
Florida licenses home health agencies, nurse registries, adult day care centers, assisted living facilities and nursing homes through AHCA. Check any provider on FloridaHealthFinder.
General information only, not medical, legal or financial advice. Programs and amounts change; confirm with the official source or a qualified professional.