How do I find and access senior services?

Area Agency on Aging (AAA) - regional level / Florida Department of Elder Affairs (state level) / County Senior Services

Details

What you need to know

Fee

Most services free or on sliding scale based on income; Medicaid programs free for qualifying individuals ONLINE OPTION: Yes - elderaffairs.fl.gov; myflorida.com; myaccessflorida.com (benefits enrollment) WHERE TO GO: Your regional Area Agency on Aging; county senior services department; 2-1-1 Florida; Elder Helpline 1-800-963-5337

Online Option

Yes - elderaffairs.fl.gov; myflorida.com; myaccessflorida.com (benefits enrollment)

Where to Go

Your regional Area Agency on Aging; county senior services department; 2-1-1 Florida; Elder Helpline 1-800-963-5337

County-specific variations apply

Florida's 11 AAA regions each serve multiple counties. Large urban counties (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange, Hillsborough, Pinellas) have extensive local senior service networks including dedicated county Elder Affairs departments, senior centers, and transportation systems. Rural counties depend more on regional AAA services. Contact your specific county's AAA or senior services department for local program availability and enrollment.

Florida Notes

Important state-specific details

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders): Florida's free Medicare counseling program - available statewide through all 11 AAAs; free, unbiased help with Medicare plan selection, billing disputes, and appeals; call (800) 963-5337 or find a local SHINE counselor at elderaffairs.fl.gov.
Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC-LTC): Florida's Medicaid managed care program for long-term care services - allows qualifying seniors to receive nursing home-level care at home or in the community; apply through Florida ACCESS (myaccessflorida.com) or (866) 762-2237.
Community Care for the Elderly (CCE) and Home Care for the Elderly (HCE): state-funded programs providing in-home services for income-eligible seniors; apply through your regional AAA.
Homestead Exemption for seniors 65+: additional $50,000 exemption for low-income seniors (income under ~$36,000 adjusted annually) - apply at County Property Appraiser; county-optional.
Property Tax Deferral Program: seniors 65+ may defer property tax payments with interest - apply at County Tax Collector.
Adult Protective Services (APS): report elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation at (800) 962-2873 (Florida Abuse Hotline - 24/7).

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Florida Department of Elder Affairs - elderaffairs.fl.gov | Elder Helpline: (800) 963-5337; Adult Protective Services/Abuse Hotline: (800) 962-2873; SHINE: (800) 963-5337