As we age, the need for long-term care becomes a reality for many individuals and their families. Nursing homes provide essential medical and personal care services for seniors who can no longer live independently. However, the cost of nursing home care is extremely high, and without proper planning, families may face financial devastation trying to cover the expenses.

At Elderly Care Law Firm, we help families plan for nursing home care in a way that protects their assets, qualifies them for Medicaid when necessary, and ensures their loved ones receive the best care possible. Whether you are planning ahead or facing an urgent nursing home placement, our legal team can guide you through the process.

How Much Does Nursing Home Care Cost in Florida?

Nursing home care in Florida is expensive, and costs continue to rise each year. According to the 2025 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly costs are:

• Semi-private nursing home room: $9,500 per month
• Private nursing home room: $11,000+ per month

For many families, these costs are impossible to afford without financial assistance. That’s why nursing home planning is essential—it helps seniors receive care without losing everything they’ve worked for.

How Can Medicaid Help Pay for a Nursing Home?

Medicaid is one of the primary ways seniors in Florida pay for nursing home care. However, qualifying for Medicaid is not simple due to strict income and asset limits.

In 2025, the Medicaid eligibility rules require that:

• A single applicant have less than $2,829 in monthly income
• The applicant have less than $2,000 in countable assets
• The applicant meet the medical need requirement (assistance with daily activities)

If an individual has too much income or too many assets, they will not qualify for Medicaid unless proper planning is done.

How to Protect Assets While Qualifying for Medicaid

Many people believe they have to spend all their money before applying for Medicaid, but this is not true. With the right legal strategies, individuals can qualify for Medicaid without going broke. Some of these strategies include:

• Using a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust to safeguard savings and property
• Transferring assets into a Medicaid-compliant annuity to reduce countable resources
• Utilizing a Lady Bird Deed to protect a family home from Medicaid recovery
• Creating a caregiver agreement to compensate family members for providing care
• Spending down assets legally on exempt expenses such as home improvements, medical needs, or funeral prepayments

Because Medicaid has a five-year look-back period, improper asset transfers can lead to penalties. That’s why working with a Medicaid planning attorney is critical for avoiding mistakes and ensuring eligibility.

What Happens If a Spouse Needs Nursing Home Care?

A major concern for many married couples is what happens if one spouse needs nursing home care while the other remains at home. Florida Medicaid rules allow protections for the healthy spouse, including:

• Allowing the at-home spouse to keep assets
• Providing a monthly income allowance so the healthy spouse has enough to live on
• Permitting the use of legal tools such as spousal refusal to protect additional resources

Can Medicaid Take Your House?

Medicaid’s estate recovery program allows the state to recover funds from a deceased person’s estate to reimburse nursing home costs. This often means placing a claim on the home if it is still in the person’s name at death.

However, families can legally protect their home from Medicaid recovery using:

• A Lady Bird Deed (Enhanced Life Estate Deed) to transfer ownership automatically upon death
• A properly structured irrevocable trust
• Legal planning to ensure a spouse or disabled child remains in the home

How Can an Attorney Help with Nursing Home Planning?

Without proper planning, nursing home costs can wipe out a person’s life savings. At Elderly Care Law Firm, we:

• Help clients qualify for Medicaid without losing everything
• Ensure a spouse remains financially secure while the other receives care
• Protect homes, savings, and other assets from Medicaid estate recovery
• Assist with Medicaid applications and appeals to prevent unnecessary denials

If you or a loved one needs nursing home care, call Elderly Care Law Firm at (305) 836-4697 today for a consultation. The sooner you plan, the more options you have to secure care while protecting your family’s financial future.