The Department of Elder Affairs is Florida's designated state unit on aging to advocate, coordinate, and plan services for elders under the Older Americans Act. The department is constitutionally designated by Florida voters to serve as the primary state agency responsible for administering human services programs for the elderly.

The Department of Elder Affairs' services include

• Comprehensive eligibility services through the Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services (CARES) program;
• State-Funded Home and Community Services programs;
• The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly;
• Older Americans Act programs; and
• Information and Assistance through the aging and disability resource centers.

For more information on the department's programs and services, please see the department's Summary of Programs and Services or Programs and Services website.

The department administers services through a network of 11 nonprofit Area Agencies on Aging. These agencies advocate, plan, fund, and coordinate programs and services for individuals within their regions, known as Planning and Service Areas. Each area agency is funded with federal, state, and local resources and is managed at the local level. Each area agency enters into contracts with service providers to provide community-based care. Programs administered through contracts with Area Agencies on Aging and other entities include Community Care for the Elderly, Home Care for the Elderly, and Older Americans Act programs.

In addition, each area agency is a designated as an Aging and Disability Resource Center. These resource centers provide a single, coordinated system of information and access for all adults seeking long-term care resources, including information about state and federal benefits, as well as available local programs and services.

The department directly administers the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Office of Public & Professional Guardians, Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE),  Medicaid Long-Term Care Services, PACE, CARES, and Livable Florida.

The majority of the department's budget funds home and community-based services, including those funded by Medicaid, the Older Americans Act, and state general revenue.

OPPAGA Reports
A complete list of OPPAGA reports pertaining to the department is available on our website

Other Reports
State Plan on Aging 2022-2025, Florida Department of Elder Affairs, August 2021
Assessing the Needs of Elder Floridians, Florida Department of Elder Affairs, August 2016
Consumer Resource Guide, Florida Department of Elder Affairs, 2018
Profiles of Older Floridians, Florida Department of Elder Affairs, 2018
Reports, Department of Elder Affairs
The Auditor General reports on department operations are available on its website

Websites of Interest
Community Resource Directory
Medicare
National Care Planning Council, Guide to Long-Term Care Planning
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Caregiver Resources and Long-Term Care
U.S. National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging

Procurements
The Florida Accountability Contract Tracking System (FACTS) provides access to department contract and purchase order information on its website

Performance

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

Chapter 430 and s. 20.41, Florida Statutes

Department of Elder Affairs, 850-414-2000, email: information@elderaffairs.org
Elder Helpline, 1-800-963-5337 or 1-800-955-8771 for TDD or 1-800-955-8770 for voice
Website