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Port Charlotte is nestled alongside Charlotte Harbor on Florida’s Gulf Coast, approximately 100 miles south of Tampa. The community is a mecca for retirees, and almost one-third of the 55,000 residents are aged 65 and older. Living in Port Charlotte offers numerous perks, including a cost of living nearly 12 points below the U.S. average, significant savings on senior care costs and plenty of sunny days and warm weather. The community lends itself to an active outdoor lifestyle, with opportunities for boating, swimming and fishing at Port Charlotte Beach Park, golfing at three in-town courses and enjoying nature at expansive Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park. For those who prefer indoor activities, there’s retail therapy at Port Charlotte Town Center, visits to the Charlotte County Historic Center and performances by the Charlotte Players and Charlotte Chorale Society.
Assisted living might be a good choice for you if you’re interested in aging among a community of peers while getting a professional helping hand with your everyday activities. Port Charlotte seniors pay an average of $3,350 a month for assisted living, making it one of the cheaper cities in either Florida or the wider U.S for such care.
The following guide contains a cost comparison for assisted living prices throughout Florida. There’s also a handy directory of local programs that can help Port Charlotte seniors get the most out of their retirement and pay for senior care.
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 >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Florida. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
The median cost of assisted living in Port Charlotte is $3,350 per month, according to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.
The Genworth Financial 2021 Cost of Care Survey reports that Port Charlotte seniors see an average price of $3,350 a month for assisted living care. That’s 16% lower than the Florida average of $4,000 and 26% lower than the U.S. average of $4,500.
In the city of Naples, the monthly cost of $5,300 is 37% more expensive than that of Port Charlotte. Panama City, at $5,081 a month, is 34% more expensive. Prices drop somewhat in the state’s two largest cities, though Jacksonville’s price of $4,660 and Miami’s price of $4,385 are both over $1,000 more expensive than Port Charlotte. There are a small handful of Florida cities that report lower prices than Port Charlotte. Lakeland seniors pay $3,300 a month, while Gainesville seniors pay $2,350, $1,000 less than Port Charlotte.
NOTE: Data for Port Charlotte was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Punta Gorda, was used instead.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Florida.
| Contact | Description | |
| Charlotte County Transit – Transportation Disadvantaged Program | (941) 575-4000 | Charlotte County Transit offers the Transportation Disadvantaged Program, which provides rides at a nominal cost to Port Charlotte seniors aged 60 and older, as well as to disabled and low-income adults. This curb-to-curb shared-ride service takes seniors to essential destinations throughout Charlotte County, such as medical appointments, grocery stores and pharmacies. Rides can be scheduled Monday through Friday, from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and within a limited service area on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida | (239) 652-6900 | The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida oversees a variety of programs designed to help Port Charlotte seniors enjoy a high quality of life and maintain their independence. Personalized assistance is available through the agency’s toll-free Elder Helpline to help residents access local and state resources, such as Medicare counseling, elder abuse prevention education and Medicaid program enrollment. Helpline staff is available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Charlotte County Veteran Services Division | (941) 764-5579 | Staff at the Port Charlotte office of the Charlotte County Veteran Services Division is available to assist senior veterans in obtaining service-related benefits. The division’s experienced Veteran Service Officers can help determine eligibility for specific benefits and assist with completing and filing applications for VA disability compensation, pensions and top-up pension payments through the Aid and Attendance and Housebound Allowance programs. |
| Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (239) 338-2563 | The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program office in Fort Myers trains local volunteers, who make regular visits to Port Charlotte assisted living communities to assess conditions and counsel seniors about their rights as residents under federal and state law. Ombudsmen also act as resident advocates to help resolve complaints filed by seniors and their family members regarding care and living conditions in assisted living facilities. |
| Florida Rural Legal Services | (888) 582-3410 | Florida Rural Legal Services provides pro bono legal assistance to low-income seniors throughout Charlotte County. Seniors can contact the nonprofit firm’s Port Charlotte office or apply online for help with a wide range of civil legal matters, including public benefits, individual rights, long-term care, consumer law, wills and advance directives. |
| Senior Friendship Center of Charlotte County | (941) 255-0723 | The Senior Friendship Center of Charlotte County, located in Punta Gorda, welcomes Port Charlotte residents aged 50 and older. Here, seniors can take part in recreational and social activities and enjoy a low-cost noontime meal on weekdays. The Center also connects seniors with key support services, such as care management and assistance applying for state and federal benefit programs. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Port Charlotte area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
