State Licensing for Senior Communities and Care Services in Florida

Search for Florida Housing and Care

Agency for Health Care Administration
2727 Mahan Drive, Bldg. 1
Tallahassee, FL  32308-5403
(850) 414-6010
(888) 419-3456
ahca.myflorida.com

Department of Elder Affairs
http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us

Types of Housing/Care Search Definitions
Adult Day Care Centers Adult Day Care Adult day care provides a protective setting that is as noninstitutional as possible. Adult day care centers offer therapeutic programs of health services and social activities such as leisure activities, self-care training, rest, nutritional services, and respite care for a portion of a day. Some nursing homes provide adult day care services. Adult day care centers are required to be licensed and inspected by the State of Florida.
Adult Family Care Homes Care Homes An Adult Family Care Home provides a full-time, family-type living arrangement in a private home for up to five elderly or disabled people who are not related to the owner. The owner lives in the same house as the residents and provides housing, meals, and personal services; however, services vary. Adult Family Care Homes are required to be licensed and inspected by the state of Florida.
Affordable Senior Housing Affordable Senior Housing HUD 202 Program that offers rental assistance for seniors who meet the requirements of the federal program.
Assisted Living Facilities Assisted Living Assisted Living Facilities provide housing, food services and personal services for elderly or disabled adults who require supervision or assistance with the activities of daily living.
Continuing Care Retirement Community Continuing Care Retirement Community CCRCs are known as “life-care facilities.” Florida law defines CCRCs as retirement facilities that contracts to furnish a resident with shelter and health care in return for an entrance fee and periodic monthly fee.
Home Health Agencies Home Care A home health agency provides services to patients in private homes, assisted living facilities, and adult family care homes. Some of the services include nursing care; physical, occupational, respiratory, and speech therapy; home health aides; homemaker and companions; and medical equipment and supplies. Along with services in the home, an agency can also provide staffing services in nursing homes and hospitals. Home health agencies are licensed and surveyed by the State of Florida. (HHC-HHA)
Homemaker and Companion Services Home Care Homemakers and companions companies provide housekeeping, prepare and serve meals, help with shopping, routine household chores, companionship in the client’s home, and can take the client to appointments and other outings. By law, homemakers and companions may not provide hands-on personal care, such as help with bathing, and cannot give medications. Homemaker and companion agencies are registered by the State of Florida. However, individuals who work on their own, with no other workers helping them are not required to be registered. (HHCN-HCS)
Hospice Hospice Hospice Care offers supportive care for patients who are in the final phases of a terminal illness. Hospice specializes in working with residents to make their final days more comfortable. Support services are also offered for the families of Hospice patients.
Nurse Registry Home Care Nurse Registry acts as employment agency between an individual patient and nurses, nursing assistants, home health aides, companions and homemakers for services in the patient’s home. Nurse registries also provide temporary staff for nursing homes, hospitals, and other businesses.
Skilled Nursing Facilities Nursing A nursing home provides nursing care, personal care, and custodial care to people who are ill or physically infirm. There are two main types of nursing homes in Florida – Skilled Nursing Facilities and Skilled Nursing Units. Skilled Nursing Facilities: The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) is the most common type of nursing home in Florida. SNFs are freestanding, which means that they are not part of a hospital. Some SNFs are part of a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) and are governed through special contracts. Skilled Nursing Units: Skilled Nursing Units (SNUs) are hospital-based nursing homes. Some SNUs are located inside the hospital, and some are located in a separate building. The skilled nursing unit is licensed as part of the hospital. SNUs are not rated.

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