Top Home Care Agencies in Tampa, FL
Seniors and people with disabilities often turn to the 88 home care agencies in Tampa, Florida, for support with personal care services and light housekeeping. The average cost of these Tampa home care agencies is $26 per hour, but total monthly costs depend on an individual’s care needs. To help you plan, we offer robust information on costs and common payment options. You’ll also find local listings, client reviews, and information on Florida’s home care licensing requirements. We even highlight important questions to ask prospective agencies to help you find the best fit.
Home Care Agencies near Tampa, FL
FirstLight Home Care of North Tampa & East Pasco, FL
20701 Bruce B Downs Blvd Suite 201, Tampa, FL 33647
First Light came to my parents house to care for them. The care was definitely a 10. The cost was very high bc they needed 24 hr care for 2 months. They meals they made were great. Cleaned my mom's and dad's...
My name is [name removed] and my caregiver is [name removed] from the brand and location of [removed]. I enjoy. I enjoy her very much takes excellent care of me always ensuring that my needs are met I...
I was in a real pinch to find the right care giver and "home manager" for my parents. Mom suffers from dementia and suddenly Dad, her main caregiver, had a stroke. Almost overnight, we needed immediate...
We were very happy with the caregiver but the billing system required too much involvement between me our LTC and their accountant.
We just started using this home care agency. So far everything is working out well, and we are satisfied. She is safe, and in good hands with the care givers they have provided so far. It is still early to...
[name removed] was very accommodating, very professional. The staff was very cheerful and caring but overall it was a bit pricey. Based on the experience, of course I would recommend this agency to others.
Very dependable caregivers.
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Remedy Care Solution definitely exceeded my expectations. Thank you for caring for my mother in law.
I would definitely recommend this agency to others. The agency takes a personal interest in their clients, and I appreciate it. The agency consistently takes the time to consider the needs or wants of my dad...
Our current care giver [name removed] appears to be a 5. We've had some issues with a couple of caregivers. We have asked for someone NOT allergic to cats but still have received people allergic to cats. I...
Owners, supervisors, office personnel, etc. were always very helpful and friendly. Caregivers were friendly as well, although at the particular time that I used them they were having some turnover problems....
Home watch was not a good fit. We used them for one week. We were new to the process but mostly the people they sent did not meet my expectations.
Costs of home care in Tampa, Florida
Average cost of home care in Tampa, FL
Average monthly cost of home care vs. senior living in Tampa, FL
Compare the costs of aging in place against senior living
Use our cost calculator to compare your loved one’s current living and home care expenses against the cost of senior living in Tampa.
Paying for home care in Tampa, Florida
In Tampa, payment options for home care vary depending on the type of care an individual needs. Families usually start by looking into health insurance, whether it’s private, Medicare, or Medicaid. However, most health insurance policies only cover home care services prescribed by a doctor to treat illness or injury at home. If a senior only needs nonmedical personal care services, like assistance with dressing or eating, they’ll typically turn to personal funds.
When paying out of pocket, families often combine different resources, like savings and retirement pensions. Depending on circumstances, some individuals may also use a health savings account (HSA) or long-term care insurance. Additionally, qualifying veterans and their spouses can turn to veterans benefits to cover home care costs.
Paying for home care
Get an overview of all payment options for home care.
VA home care benefits
See how VA benefits can help veterans and their spouses pay for home care.
Home care and LTC insurance
Learn how to use long-term care insurance to cover home care costs.
Does Medicare pay for home care in Tampa?
Yes, Medicare can pay for short-term, nonmedical home care in Tampa if it’s provided in combination with medically necessary health care services.[01] This means that if you’re receiving part-time skilled nursing care, which may include medication administration, wound dressing, or physical therapy, Medicare may also cover nonmedical personal care services. Nonmedical services may include light housekeeping, cooking, and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as help bathing or going to the bathroom.
Keep in mind, Medicare only pays for medically necessary home care services if the agency is Medicare-certified. If you have any questions about Medicare, including what it can or cannot cover, reach out to SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders). This program offers free health insurance counseling to Florida seniors and their loved ones. SHINE counselors can answer questions about Medicare and other health insurance programs.
Does Medicaid pay for home care in Tampa?
Yes, Florida’s Medicaid program — Statewide Medicaid Managed Care — does pay for nonmedical home care if it’s provided along with medically necessary care services ordered by a doctor.[02]
Seniors and adults with disabilities can enroll in one or both of the following Florida Medicaid programs:[02]
- Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) covers basic medical services (like most health care plans) and home health care. Common home health services include skilled nursing care like wound care, medication administration, and health monitoring.
- Long-Term Care (LTC) is a waiver program that helps cover some in-home care services for seniors and qualifying adults with disabilities. To be eligible, individuals must require a nursing home level of care. Some home health services include adult companion care, personal care, homemaker, medication management, and transportation to long-term care services.
For any questions regarding Medicaid, including coverage and eligibility, you can contact SHINE counselors. These counselors are volunteers dedicated to helping seniors and their families learn about Medicaid programs and other health insurance options.
What other Tampa services help seniors age in place?
Tampa seniors have access to a variety of services that help them maintain their independence and age in place. Below, you can browse the resources and programs in Tampa’s Hillsborough County.
InnovAge’s PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a managed care program that helps aging adults live at home longer. To enroll, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Must reside in Hillsborough County (county in which Tampa is located)
- Must be 55 years of age or older
- Must be able to pay privately or using Medicaid or Medicare
Seniors can also turn to the following senior services to help them age in place in Tampa:
- Hillsborough County aging services offers a list of resources and engaging programs. You can find senior center activities, meal programs, caregiver services, transportation options, and much more.
- Senior Connection Center is Tampa’s aging and disability resource center. It offers health insurance counseling, in-home care information, caregiver assistance programs, and educational programs. For more information, call the Elder Helpline at 800-963-5337.
Where do I get information about veterans benefits in Tampa?
Veterans and their spouses may qualify for veterans benefits that can be used to pay for home care. The benefits application process can be tricky, so we recommend reaching out to a veterans service organization (VSO). Veterans service officers at your local VSO can assess your veteran record to help you maximize your benefits.
Luckily, in Tampa, veterans and spouses can reach out to one of the five Hillsborough County veterans services offices to get help with the benefits process. If you’re unsure about which office to visit, call or visit the primary resource office using the information below.
James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital
13515 Lake Terrace Lane, Room 2A-201G
Tampa, FL 33637
Phone: 813-635-8316
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
What families are saying about home care in Tampa
Recent reviews for home care in Tampa
Home Care Partners, LLC in Saint Petersburg, FL
FirstLight Home Care of North Tampa & East Pasco, FL
Care Topia in Brandon, FL
How to choose the right Tampa home care agency
Before choosing a home care agency, we recommend looking into Florida’s home care licensing and accreditation practices, hiring requirements, fees, and minimum care requirements. Considering this information from the get-go can make it easier to compare and contrast the home care listings on this page.
We encourage families to consider any medical needs as they decide between agencies, as not every listing on this page can provide medical services. In Florida, some agencies may only provide companionship and help around the house, while others may offer assistance with activities of daily living or skilled nursing. If skilled nursing home care is necessary, we recommend reaching out to your loved one’s doctor or social worker.
Knowing Florida’s home care regulations and your loved one’s care needs can help you come to an informed decision on a home care agency.
Licensure and accreditation
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) licenses all home care agencies. In the state, home care agencies fall under one of two categories: Homemaker and companion services providers and home health agencies.
Homemaker and companion services providers can’t provide any assistance with activities of daily living, like bathing or toileting. However, the license does enable them to provide the following services:[03]
- Light housekeeping
- Companionship
- Support with cooking and errands
Home health agencies, on the other hand, are licensed to provide skilled medical services and non-skilled support with activities of daily living, such as bathing, getting dressed, or eating.[04] Skilled nursing home care agencies that are allowed to provide medical services must be licensed by the AHCA and follow additional standards.
Home health agencies in Florida that provide skilled nursing care must also apply for accreditation to demonstrate their commitment to a high quality of care. Accrediting organizations require agencies to meet a set of care standards, such as staff competency and client assessments.[05] The AHCA recognizes three accrediting organizations for home health agencies:
- Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC)
- Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP)
- The Joint Commission (TJC)
How to find home care agency inspections in Tampa
To hold a license, all home care agencies must undergo regular inspections from the AHCA. If you’d like to find recent information on home care agency inspections in Tampa, use the AHCA facility search and look up the agency by name or city.
These inspection reports include any deficiencies found, the most recent inspection date, and provided services. This information can show you how an agency maintains itself against state regulations and how they corrected any deficiencies.
Hiring practices
The AHCA requires a level two background check for any care providers employed at a home care agency in Florida. Background screenings typically include a fingerprint scan, criminal record search, and public records search. Caregivers must also pass a home health aide competency exam after completing their training.[06]
Individual agencies may set their own training guidelines, so be sure to ask what training your prospective agencies ask their employees to complete. Some examples of training may include obtaining a caregiver certification or receiving annual caregiver education.
While there aren’t set training requirements for all home care aides, Florida agencies that offer dementia care must ensure their aides complete at least three hours of dementia-specific training.[06]
Fees and minimums
In Tampa, home care agencies vary in fees and minimum care requirements. To prepare yourself financially and narrow down options, we recommend asking prospective agencies the following:
- Is there a charge for initial needs assessments?
- Are there any upfront deposits or additional fees?
- Is there a requirement for a minimum number of shifts or hours per shift?
- Is there a higher hourly rate for nights, weekends, or holidays?
- Is there a minimum age requirement to receive care?
Other questions to ask Tampa home care agencies
Ask these 10 questions to help you find the right home care agency.
Frequently asked questions about home care in Tampa
SYNERGY HomeCare of Tampa Bay, FL, Homewatch CareGivers of South Tampa, FL and Care Topia are the top-rated Home Care facilities near Tampa, FL. These Home Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Home Care in Tampa is {{ zipAverageCost }} per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Home care is provided by an aide who comes to a senior’s home to help with daily chores and activities of daily living. It can be offered anywhere a senior calls home — including a house, senior apartment, independent living, or assisted living. Learn more about home care.
Home care services are customizable to a senior’s unique needs. Services can include companionship, help with chores like cooking and housekeeping, or assistance with activities of daily living, like toileting and bathing. Explore home care services in more detail.
Home care provides nonmedical services for seniors who require assistance with daily tasks like housework, bathing, dressing, and transportation. In contrast, home health care is prescribed by a doctor and includes services like skilled nursing care and therapies, health monitoring, and medication administration that are provided by licensed medical professionals. Read more about home care vs. home health care.
References
Medicare.gov. Home health services.
Statewide Medicaid Managed Care. Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Health plans and program.
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Homemaker and companion services provider.
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Home health agencies.
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Home health agencies: Accrediting organizations for skilled home health agencies.
Home Health Services, Florida Administrative Code § 400.461 – 400.5. (2023).
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