Florida PACE vs Assisted Living
PACE is one of the highest-intent searches from families who want to stay out of a nursing home and still get medical and daily help under one plan. It is not a substitute for every assisted living search.
Who PACE is for
Florida PACE organizations serve people 55 and older who meet a nursing-home level of care, live in a designated service area, and can still be served safely in the community. AHCA publishes monthly reports of providers, counties, and slots. Coverage is not statewide. Confirm the current map on AHCA's PACE page instead of an old blog list.
How it differs from an ALF lease
PACE is a care plan with a care team, adult day programming, and coordinated medical services. Assisted living is housing plus help with daily activities under an AHCA ALF license. Some PACE participants still live at home. Some live in a community the organization will support. Ask both sides before you deposit: will this PACE organization serve that address, and will that ALF work with PACE?
When assisted living is still the clearer path
If you need a secured memory care neighborhood this month, or you live outside a PACE county, start on the Florida assisted living or memory care hub. Medicaid waiver rules and waitlists still apply for many ALF payments. Use the Medicaid pathways tool, then take the free care assessment so an advisor can tell you whether PACE, an ALF, or a short skilled stay matches this week.
Common questions
- What is PACE in Florida?
- PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a Medicare and Medicaid program that bundles medical and long-term services so eligible people 55 and older can stay in the community. It is not available in every county, and slots are limited.
- Can you use PACE and move into assisted living?
- Sometimes. PACE is designed to keep people at home or in the community, including some assisted living settings when the organization agrees. You must live in a designated service area and meet a nursing-home level of care while still being safely served in the community.
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Have questions specific to your situation?
A licensed senior living advisor can walk through your options at no cost, including how this payment path may apply.