The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Saint Augustine, FL for 2024

Set along the Atlantic coast of northeastern Florida, Saint Augustine is home to more than 14,500 residents. Believed to be America’s oldest city, Saint Augustine is rich in history, with brick-lined streets, Spanish colonial architecture and numerous notable sites. It’s become a popular destination for retirees, with seniors aged 65 and older making up 25.5% of the population, which is much higher than the 16.8% nationwide average. With the region’s sunny-year-round climate, seniors can enjoy the city’s outdoor recreational opportunities, which include miles of beaches, several golf courses and excellent fishing. The city also boasts affordable health care and transportation costs, no state income tax and access to world-class medical facilities, including Flagler Hospital. Based on the information provided in Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, home care costs an average of $4,481 per month. Seniors with more complex medical needs also have the option of home health care. At $4,767 per month, it’s slightly more expensive than in-home care as it includes skilled nursing services in addition to basic household assistance.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Saint Augustine– complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.

Located just south of Jacksonville, Saint Augustine shares the same home care costs, according to Genworth Financial’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey. On average, seniors in this area pay $4,481 per month for home care services. This means that Saint Augustine is an affordable option in comparison to both the statewide median of $4,767 and the national average of $4,957. It’s also less expensive than many nearby cities. While rates in Gainesville are the same, costs in Deltona are about $100 higher. Orlando and Tallahassee are even more expensive, with monthly averages of $4,767 and $4,814, respectively.

Saint Augustine seniors have several care options available to them. Those who only require part-time weekday assistance may find adult day health care to be sufficient for their needs and budget at $1,625 on average per month, which is $2,856 less than home care. While slightly more expensive than in-home care, assisted living is around $100 less expensive than hiring a home health aide. As nursing homes offer round-the-clock supervision and specialized medical care, they’re the most expensive option, with rates starting at $8,213.

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
• Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
• Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
• Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.