Talk to a local advisor for free
Okeechobee is a small city of about 5,300 residents in the southern region of Florida. The low cost of living, a generally comfortable climate and low violent crime rates make this city a favorable option for those seeking assisted living in this region, including the 850 seniors already living here. Okeechobee is home to the Okeechobee County Library, which provides informational, educational and recreational print and digital materials for visitors. The library hosts seasonal events and virtual books clubs and classes, and it has computers available to the public. Older adults in the city also have access to a senior center where they can participate in social and recreational activities.
Assisted living fees in Okeechobee vary depending on each facility’s location and amenities, but on average, seniors pay $4,399 per month for this type of care. While this exceeds state and national averages, the city’s affordable living costs and lack of state income tax may make it a budget-friendly option for older adults.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
The Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey reports that assisted living residents in Okeechobee pay $4,339 per month for services. This is comparable to the national rate of $4,300, but it’s several hundred dollars higher than the Florida median of $3,700. Local care costs exceed the averages in other states in the Southeast, including South Carolina, where older adults pay $3,988 per month. In Mississippi, care costs are on par with Florida at $3,713, and in Georgia, rates are lower at $3,500. Alabama has some of the lowest assisted living fees in the nation with a monthly average of $3,150.
Assisted living fees in Florida range considerably, providing options for most budgets. The cheapest surveyed city for this type of care is Sebring, about 45 miles northwest of Okeechobee, where seniors pay $2,895 per month. In Miami, facilities charge competitive monthly fees of $3,500. In Okeechobee, fees exceed the state median at $4,399, and in Naples, care costs are a little higher at $4,550. Tallahassee’s assisted living facilities charge the highest rates in the state of $5,506.
Note: Data for Okeechobee was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Port St. Lucie, was used instead.
Qualifying seniors in Okeechobee may pay for assisted living services through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program. This program pays for case management, medication management and administration, personal care, therapies, transportation and assisted living services. To be eligible for this program, applicants must meet financial and functional criteria.
For more information on this program and other options for covering assisted living in Okeechobee, visit our Assisted Living in Florida page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Okeechobee Senior Services | (863) 462-5180 (866) 684-5885 | Okeechobee Senior Services is the Area Agency on Aging for Okeechobee and surrounding cities. This agency provides free and low-cost services to those aged 60 and over, including social and recreational programming, congregate meals and information and referrals for community-based services. To obtain services, individuals can call the Elder Helpline for an assessment of the care services they need. Most services are administered through the local senior center. |
| Veterans Services | (863) 763-6441, Option 5 | The county’s Veterans Services Office supports local veterans and promotes access to programs and services that supplement what individuals receive through assisted living. Through this office, seniors get help with enrolling in survivors’ and veterans’ pension programs and Aid and Attendance, which provides monthly financial assistance. The office can also help veterans access services in the community such as emergency financial assistance, transportation and social clubs. |
| Florida Rural Legal Services | (888) 582-3410 | Florida Rural Legal Services is a nonprofit agency that provides free civil legal services to older adults in Okeechobee and the surrounding region. Older adults get one-on-one help with accessing public benefits that may help them cover assisted living, including Supplemental Security Income, Social Security and Medicaid. The office can also help resolve issues such as denied health insurance claims, Social Security overpayment and problems with the quality of care in local assisted living facilities. |
| Florida SHINE | (800) 963-5337 | SHINE is a statewide program that provides free, unbiased health insurance options counseling for those aged 65 and over. Seniors get personalized assistance understanding their Medicare coverage for long-term care. The helpline can help older adults compare available long-term care insurance plans, as well as Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans. It can also help older adults protect themselves from health insurance scams, fraud and waste. |
| Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (888) 831-0404 | The state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program has trained volunteers who advocate on behalf of older adults in assisted living. The ombudsman investigates reports of abuse or substandard care and ensures proper authorities are involved as necessary. The ombudsman can also help seniors and families determine options for covering assisted living services. |
Assisted living facilities in Okeechobee follow regulations and guidelines set by the Bureau of Health Facility Regulation. This governing body licenses and monitors facilities through initial and annual licensing processes. It also fields and investigates reports of abuse and neglect. More information on these regulations is available on the Assisted Living in Florida page.
