The cost of long-term care in Florida is rising, and it’s not slowing down. For families in Sarasota and Venice, the question is no longer if planning is necessary, but when. Nursing homes, assisted living, and in-home care can quickly drain savings, leaving loved ones vulnerable and unprotected.
Many families assume Medicare will cover these expenses, but the reality is different. Without proactive planning, assets like a family home or retirement account can be at risk. That’s why consulting a long-term care planning attorney in Sarasota, FL, is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your future.
In this guide, you’ll discover how long-term care planning works in Florida, what it costs, the role of Medicaid, and the legal tools available to safeguard your estate. Whether you live in Sarasota, Venice, or elsewhere on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the principles of planning ahead remain the same.
Quick Takeaways
- Nursing home and assisted living costs in Sarasota and Venice can exceed $120,000 per year.
- Medicaid is available, but strict eligibility rules apply.
- Legal tools, such as trusts, life estate deeds, and long-term care insurance, can help protect assets and ensure their preservation.
- Families should avoid waiting until a health crisis complicates planning.
- A long-term care planning attorney in Sarasota, FL, can help families navigate the process with confidence.
Why Long-Term Care Planning Matters in Sarasota
Long-term care planning is about protecting your family, your assets, and your future. For Sarasota families, the need for planning is urgent. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities can cost thousands of dollars every month, and without a plan, those expenses can quickly wipe out savings and retirement accounts.
A comprehensive plan ensures:
- Your home and assets are protected from being lost to long-term care costs.
- Your spouse and children remain financially secure even if you need extended care.
- Your wishes are honored, and your family avoids the stress of making decisions in a crisis.
With the right strategy, you can face the future with confidence, knowing that your care needs will be met without sacrificing everything you’ve worked hard to build.
The Average Cost of Long-Term Care in Sarasota
The price tag is what shocks most families the most. According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey (a leading authority on elder care expenses), the median annual cost of a private room in a Sarasota county nursing home is over $128,000, while assisted living averages over $63,000 per year.
- Nursing homes in Sarasota: $9,000–$10,000+/month
- Assisted living in Venice: $3,500–$5,00+0/month
- Home health aides: $4,500–$7,000+/month
Without planning, these expenses can drain retirement accounts and force families to sell property. For many, working with an elder law attorney in Sarasota, FL, is the first step in building a strategy to manage these costs.
Medicaid and Elder Law in Florida
Medicaid is often the lifeline families depend on to cover nursing home costs, but eligibility is strict. To qualify, individuals must meet income and asset limits that usually seem impossible without legal guidance.
This is where elder law and Medicaid planning in Florida becomes essential. With the help of a knowledgeable attorney, families can:
- Restructure assets to meet Medicaid eligibility.
- Use spousal protections to preserve resources for the healthy spouse.
- Avoid penalties by planning within Medicaid’s “look-back” period.
Unfortunately, many families delay planning because of misconceptions about what Medicaid does and does not cover. Our blog on 3 Common Myths About Long-Term Care Costs and Planning explains why waiting too long or relying on assumptions can be financially devastating.
An elder law attorney in Sarasota, FL, can help ensure applications are filed correctly and that no costly mistakes jeopardize benefits.
Asset Protection Tools Sarasota Families Can Use
Long-term care planning doesn’t stop at Medicaid. Families in Florida have access to several legal tools that safeguard property and savings:
Living Trusts & Irrevocable Trusts
These structures allow families to transfer assets outside of probate and, in some cases, shield property from being counted toward Medicaid eligibility.
Life Estate and Ladybird Deeds
A popular option in Florida, life estate and ladybird deeds allow families to protect the homestead while ensuring it passes directly to heirs, bypassing probate.
That being said, these deeds come with significant risks and trusts are often a better choice for most families. To discover more, my article here discusses the dangers of transfer on death, life estate and ladybird deeds. My article here explains why trusts are a better alternative to transfer on death and life estate deeds.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Although not for everyone, this coverage can offset costs when purchased early enough. A nursing home planning lawyer near you can help evaluate whether it makes sense for your family.
If you would like to discover whether long-term care insurance is worth it for you, click here to read my article discussing whether long-term care insurance is worth it.
Common Mistakes Florida Families Make
Common Mistakes Sarasota Families Make
Even well-intentioned families can make costly mistakes when it comes to long-term care planning. Some of the most damaging include:
- Waiting until a health crisis hits. Families who delay planning are often forced into crisis mode, which can mean selling the family home, losing Medicaid eligibility, or draining retirement accounts far faster than expected.
- Failing to plan for Medicaid’s rules. Medicaid has strict income and asset limits, plus a five-year “look-back” period. Missteps here can trigger penalties, delay eligibility, and leave your family paying out of pocket at $10,000 or more per month.
- Relying on one-size-fits-all documents. Online forms and DIY templates can’t account for Florida’s complex elder law rules. Small mistakes in paperwork or timing often result in major financial losses.
These mistakes can leave a surviving spouse or children without the resources they need. Working with a long-term care planning attorney in Sarasota, FL helps families avoid these pitfalls and secure the protections they deserve.
How Sarasota Families Can Get Started with Long-Term Care Planning
The best time to plan is before care is needed. For Sarasota families, the first step is to take an honest look at your financial picture and understand how long-term care costs could impact your future. From there, working with a long-term care planning attorney in Sarasota, FL ensures that your family has a customized strategy in place.
Your attorney can help you:
- Assess assets and income to determine Medicaid eligibility.
- Protect your home and savings from being lost to nursing home costs.
- Put the right legal tools in place such as trusts, life estate deeds, and advance directives so your wishes are honored.
The earlier you begin planning, the more options you’ll have to protect what you’ve worked hard to build.
Is Your Family Prepared for Long-Term Care in Florida?
The need for long-term care rarely arrives with warning. Families who wait to plan often find themselves scrambling in a crisis, facing Medicaid penalties, losing assets they worked a lifetime to build, or making rushed decisions about care.
Planning now ensures you have more choices, better protections, and peace of mind for your family’s future.
At Roulet Law Firm, P.A., we provide elder law services in Sarasota, FL, helping families secure Medicaid eligibility, safeguard property, and reduce the cost of long-term care in Sarasota with proven legal tools.
📌 First step: Ready to take the next step? Schedule a consultation with us today to get things started. You can either call our office at 941-909-4644 or fill out the contact form on this page, and a member of our team will reach out to you to schedule your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does long-term care cost in Sarasota, FL?
Nursing homes can exceed $10,000 per month, while assisted living averages $3,500–$5,000+. Without planning, these costs can quickly drain savings.
Can Medicaid help pay for nursing home care in Florida?
Yes—but eligibility rules are strict. A long-term care planning attorney in Sarasota, FL, can help restructure assets to qualify while protecting your home and savings.
Do I need a lawyer for long-term care planning in Florida?
Absolutely. Florida Medicaid rules are complex, and even small mistakes can cost families thousands. An attorney ensures your plan is compliant and protects assets.
Where can I learn more about long-term care planning near me?
I’ve written a consumer guide, Save Our Home: How to Protect Your Home and Life Savings from Long-Term Care and Nursing Home Costs. You can download your copy by clicking here.
I’m also hosting an exclusive online masterclass where I reveal strategies I use with my private clients to help them protect their home and savings from long-term care and nursing home costs. Join us by clicking here to sign up.
For more resources, visit our YouTube channel, where we share practical guidance on elder law Sarasota FL, estate planning near me, and protecting your family from nursing home costs.
You’ve worked hard for what you have. Make sure you protect it. Call us today at 941-909-4644 to schedule your consultation, or you can fill out the contact form on this page and a member of our team will reach out to you to schedule your consultation.
