Fort Myers Senior AdvisorWhat usually starts a senior care search in Lee County?
The usual triggers are a discharge from a Lee Health or HCA Florida hospital, a fall, a dementia diagnosis, a spouse caregiver who is worn out, savings running low, a storm, or a family far away realizing a parent is no longer safe alone.
Each guide starts from that moment and lists the steps in order, with the Florida rules and Lee County phone numbers that apply.
Who can help a Lee County family work out the next step at no cost?
The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida's Elder Helpline (1-866-413-5337) gives free information and screening, hospital and rehab social workers plan discharges, and a senior advisor service like ours walks through licensed options; none of them charges the family.
If anyone is in danger, call 911. Suspected abuse or neglect goes to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.
All situations pages
When a parent is being discharged from a Lee County hospital
What to do when a parent is discharged from Lee Memorial, HealthPark, Gulf Coast, Cape Coral Hospital or HCA Florida Lehigh: Medicare rules, choosing rehab, and planning the next move.
Open the guide →The first months after a dementia diagnosis
What Fort Myers and Cape Coral families should do in the first months after an Alzheimer's or dementia diagnosis: legal papers, safety, support, memory care timing and Florida's new license.
Open the guide →When the caregiver needs care too
Signs a spouse or adult child caregiver is burning out, and the respite, adult day care, home care and support options available in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and the rest of Lee County.
Open the guide →When a parent can no longer live alone
How to tell whether a parent can still live alone safely in Lee County, the options between full independence and a facility, and how to start the conversation.
Open the guide →When the money for care is running out
What Fort Myers and Cape Coral families can do when savings for assisted living or home care run low: Medicaid long-term care, OSS, PACE, VA benefits and moving to a facility that accepts them.
Open the guide →Hurricane season and older adults in Lee County
Lessons from Hurricane Ian for Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel and Pine Island families: special needs registration, evacuation zones, facility generator rules and what to ask.
Open the guide →When a snowbird parent needs care in Lee County
What part-year Lee County residents need to know when care is needed in Florida: Medicare across states, Florida residency for Medicaid, assisted living for part of the year, and moving permanently.
Open the guide →Caring for a parent in Lee County from far away
How adult children far from Fort Myers or Cape Coral can monitor a parent's care, choose a facility remotely, use local help, and handle the legal and financial pieces from a distance.
Open the guide →