Guide to Senior Care Resources in Naples, Florida
Naples Area Senior Care Resources
Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
The Alzheimer's Association, Florida Gulf Coast Chapter serves 16 counties with education and support as well as raising funds for research.
Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for those affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Our Florida Gulf Coast Chapter is here to help. We provide education and support to all those facing Alzheimer’s and other dementias throughout our community, including those living with the disease, caregivers, health care professionals and families.
We are also committed to advocating for the needs and rights of those facing Alzheimer’s disease and advancing critical research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure.
The state of Florida has the second highest incidence of Alzheimer’s. Within the 16 counties that comprise the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs estimates that in 2016 there were 177,489 people living with Alzheimer's disease. That means that 1 in every 33 people of all ages has Alzheimer’s disease in areas served by our chapter. These numbers do not include the snowbirds who reside in the region during the winter months.
The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter meets the challenge of such overwhelming numbers through a dedicated staff out of four regional offices and the Memory Mobile, a mobile classroom and office, that serves rural and inner-city communities.
For more information, or to talk with aging experts in the Naples Area, call Dial-A-Nurse at (239) 203-3972
Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida
The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL) is a nonprofit organization serving older adults (age 60-up) and adults with disabilities. They serve Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota counties. AAASWFL is committed to connecting older adults and adults with disabilities to resources and assistance for living safely with independence and dignity.
AAASWFL is also the state’s designated Aging and Disability Resource Center for Southwest Florida. They provide information and resources for seniors and adults with disabilities. They also help their families and caregivers. AAASWFL can connect you with local resources like elder care, adult day care, housing assistance, home care, meals, housekeeping, legal assistance, personal care, and even volunteer opportunities.
They are one of eleven regional Area Agencies on Aging in the State of Florida. Nationwide, there are more than 600 AAA’s serving elders and adults with disabilities.
For more information, or to talk with aging experts in the Naples Area, call Dial-A-Nurse at (239) 203-3972
Know of someone that needs a meal delivered?
If you, a loved one or a friend…
- are recovering from a recent hospital stay or illness
- have parents who are not eating as well as they should
- are getting older and too tired to cook
- are suffering from a handicap or disability
- have ongoing health problems
- are unable to regularly prepare well-balanced meals at home
5 Delivery Days a Week
Monday thru Friday. Extra meals delivered on Thursday and Friday for those requesting 7 days of meals.
$3.50 per meal*
Meals include a hot entrée, bread roll, dessert and a beverage of milk or fruit juice.
*Reduced pricing and free meals available to qualified individuals. After a financial assessment, full or partial subsidies are provided to individuals who cannot afford to pay the full cost of meals.
For more information, or to talk with aging experts in the Naples Area, call Dial-A-Nurse at (239) 203-3972
Collier Area Paratransit (CAP) is committed to providing safe, accessible, and courteous transportation services to the community members.
What is an “Ombudsman”?
In the state of Florida, a long-term care ombudsman is a trained volunteer who helps to improve the quality of care and quality of life for residents of long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and adult family care homes.
Nearly 60% of long-term care residents in Florida do not receive visits from family members and friends. They may feel alone, isolated and that they have no voice in the daily care they receive. Unfortunately, many of them do not have anyone to look out for their best interests when it comes to their personal rights, health, safety and welfare.
Volunteer ombudsmen are community members, from all walks of life, who are passionate about improving the life for residents living in long-term care facilities. They are trained to work with residents and their family members to communicate concerns and resolve problems by providing advocacy, support, education and empowerment. These volunteers simply want their time and talents to make a difference in improving the lives of people who may be elderly and/or disabled.
We are proud to be a unique program whose success depends on the commitment, courage and compassion of volunteers. Ombudsmen are the heart of our program. These special individuals dedicate thousands of unpaid hours each year to ensuring that the voices of Florida’s long-term care facility residents are heard and problems resolved.
Advocating for Residents' Rights
Volunteer ombudsmen spend thousands of hours each year in licensed long-term care facilities, working to identify, investigate and resolve the concerns of residents and their loved ones, and performing annual assessments of every facility in Florida.
The program consistently empowers residents to know their rights, and often provides a voice for those who may not be able to speak up for themselves.
For more information, or to talk with aging experts in the Naples Area, call Dial-A-Nurse at (239) 203-3972
The Department of Elder Affairs administers programs and services for elders across the state of Florida through 11 Area Agencies on Aging, which operate as Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs). These ADRCs function as a single, coordinated system for information and access to services for all Floridians seeking long-term care resources. The ADRCs provide information and assistance about state and federal benefits, as well as available local programs and services. See below to contact your local ADRC.
By sharing a common information and referral system, the ADRCs are able to provide elders with uniform assistance no matter where they live. This system also offers the public access to a statewide database of local community resources, available on the internet or by calling the Elder Helpline toll-free at 1-800-96 ELDER (1-800-963-5337).
For more information, or to talk with aging experts in the Naples Area, call Dial-A-Nurse at (239) 203-3972
Florida drivers who are 80 years of age or older at the time their current driver license expires can renew their license in person at a local DHS&MV office or by phone or mail after clearing a vision test (see below). You may in certain situations be asked to take a written knowledge test as well. In preparation for this, you can review the Florida Drivers Handbook and take practice tests before going for your license renewal. After clearing the vision test, you can renew your license in person, online or via phone. For faster service, Florida has developed OASIS (Online Appointment Service and Information System) where you can schedule an Online Appointment Service and Information System (OASIS) or get queries answered.
THE VISION TEST
Florida drivers of age 79 or above who renew their license will be asked to undergo a basic vision test to ensure they are able to safely operate a motor vehicle. If you wear eyeglasses, be sure to bring them with you to the DHS&MV. In addition, if you have not had your vision checked recently, or if you believe your eyesight has worsened, we recommend that you make an appointment with your vision specialist before visiting the DHS&MV.
The Florida DHS&MV’s vision standard is 20/50. If worse in one or either eye, you will be referred to a licensed vision specialist to see if it can be improved. If one eye is blind, the other must have 20/40. The accepted minimum field of vision is 130 degrees.
For more information, or to talk with aging experts in the Naples Area, call Dial-A-Nurse at (239) 203-3972
Medicaid for Aged or Disabled
Medicaid for low-income individuals who are either aged (65 or older) or disabled is called SSI-Related Medicaid.
Florida residents who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are automatically eligible for Medicaid coverage from the Social Security Administration. There is no need to file a separate ACCESS Florida Application unless nursing home services are needed.
Individuals may apply for regular Medicaid coverage and other services using the online ACCESS Florida Application and submitting it electronically. If long-term care services in a nursing home or community setting are needed, the individual must check the box for HCBS/Waivers or Nursing Home on the Benefit Information screen. HCBS/Waiver programs provide in-home or assisted living services that help prevent institutionalization.
Medicare Savings Programs (Medicare Buy-In) help Medicare beneficiaries with limited finances pay their Medicare premiums; and in some instances, deductibles and co-payments. Medicare Buy-In provides different levels of assistance depending on the amount of an individual or couple’s income. Individuals may apply for Medicare Buy-In coverage only by completing a Medicaid/Medicare Buy-In Application.
Print the form, complete it and mail or fax it to a local Customer Service Center.
Individuals eligible for Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program are automatically enrolled in Social Security's Extra Help with Part D (Low Income Subsidy) benefit for the remainder of the year. An individual may also apply directly with Social Security for the Medicare Extra Help Program. Individuals who do apply directly for the Medicare Extra Help Program have the option of having the same application consideration for the Medicare Savings Program. If the individual takes the option of having the Medicare Extra Help Program application considered for the Medicare Savings Program, the Social Security Administration will send information electronically to Florida and the individual will be contacted.
More information about Medicaid programs for aged or disabled individuals is available in the SSI-Related Fact Sheets. Information for Medicaid providers who need to communicate with DCF about SSI-Related Medicaid eligibility status is contained in the SSI-Related Provider Communication Guide.
Income and asset limits may be found on the SSI-Related Programs Financial Eligibility Standards. Important information for individuals seeking Medicaid for long-term care ser