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Tavares is a resort city located about midway between Orlando and The Villages in Lake County. The city is nestled on a thin strip of land between three scenic lakes: Dora, Eustis and Harris. With its natural beauty, year-round warm weather and countless attractions, the region attracts seniors from across the nation. Despite Tavares’ desirable location, residents enjoy a cost of living that’s nearly 5% lower than the national average. There are many health care facilities to serve the city’s seniors, including the AdventHealth Waterman Hospital.
The charming resort city is home to just over 19,000 people, and with Florida’s reputation as a retiree’s paradise, it’s no wonder that 33% of its residents are aged 65 and older. To accommodate the needs of retirees as they age, the city and its surroundings boasts nearly two dozen assisted living facilities. Costs in these facilities are higher than the Florida median at $4,950 per month, on average.
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 >
Seniors in Tavares pay an average of $4,950 per month for assisted living care, which is higher than the statewide average of $3,700. Costs vary in other states in the Southeast. South Carolina ($3,988) is somewhat pricier than Florida, while Alabama ($3,150) and Georgia ($3,500) are more affordable.
At $4,950 per month, Tavares’ average assisted living cost is higher than the norm in Central Florida. To the west in Homosassa Springs, costs are lower at $4,527 per month. Seniors in Ocala pay an average of $4,000, and costs in the Deltona area (4,050) are similar. In nearby Orlando, the average assisted living rate is on par with the Florida median. Tampa offers the region’s lowest assisted living cost at $3,225 per month.
Note: Data for Tavares was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, The Villages, was used instead.
Florida may cover the assisted living services seniors need through its Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program. Seniors may be eligible if they require a nursing home level of care and meet Florida Medicaid’s financial guidelines. There may be a waitlist for services.
To learn more about the SMMC program, including the eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit our Assisted Living in Florida page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Elder Options | (800) 262-2243 | Elder Options is the Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging. Seniors can call its Elder Helpline to learn about the aging services available in Tavares and to get referrals, if necessary. The organization’s benefits counselors provide screening and help accessing support programs, such as Medicaid. Seniors can also take advantage of Elder Options’ evidence-based workshops, which cover fall prevention, diabetes self-care and chronic disease management. |
| Lake County Connection | (352) 742-2612 | Lake County Connection offers an accessible means of transportation for frail seniors. The door-to-door paratransit service can help seniors reach destinations throughout Tavares and the rest of Lake County. Medical transportation to Orlando and Gainesville is also available. Reservations are required and can be made up to 14 days in advance. |
| Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. | (352) 796-1425 | Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. is a community action partnership that provides several programs for seniors. In Lake County, it offers an information and referral service to help older adults access useful resources in the community. It also offers nutrition education to help seniors make healthier diet choices. |
| Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida | (800) 405-1417 | This nonprofit law firm helps low-income people solve legal issues. Its free legal aid services range from providing brief information to full representation in court. Seniors can get help with veterans benefits appeals, Medicaid appeals, addressing unfair lending practices and other civil legal problems they might have. The firm can also help seniors with routine estate planning tasks, such as creating a will. |
| Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (352) 620-3088 | The Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman program advocates for assisted living residents in Tavares and throughout the Sunshine State. Seniors or their loved ones can file complaints about issues they’re experiencing in assisted living facilities. Volunteer ombudsmen working through the district office in Ocala investigate the complaints of area residents and seek appropriate resolutions. To help protect seniors, ombudsmen are also responsible for completing annual assessments of the state’s long-term care facilities. |
| Lake County Veterans Services | (352) 742-6585 | Seniors who’ve served in the U.S. armed forces can visit Lake County Veterans Services for help accessing their available veterans benefits. These benefits may include pensions and disability compensation, as well as the Aid and Attendance pension supplement that might help seniors pay for assisted living services. |
Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration oversees assisted living facilities in Tavares. Licensed facilities are required to follow state laws regarding staff training, dietary services, medication administration, resident rights and more. To learn more about applicable laws, visit our Assisted Living in Florida page.
