The Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) is the state agency that coordinates services and programs for Floridians 60 and older, working through a statewide network of Area Agencies on Aging.
What DOEA covers
DOEA oversees the Older Americans Act programs in Florida: congregate and home-delivered meals, in-home support, caregiver respite, the SHINE health-insurance counseling program, elder abuse prevention, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
It also administers the CARES assessment that gates Medicaid long-term-care services.
How Tampa Bay families use it
Most services are accessed locally through the West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging, which serves Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and other nearby counties. Call the Elder Helpline to be screened for programs you may qualify for.
Many DOEA-funded services are free or sliding-scale and don't require Medicaid.
How Tampa Senior Advisor can help
We're a free, local senior-care advisory service for Tampa Bay families. We don't charge you — communities pay us a referral fee only if you choose to move in. If any of this feels overwhelming, tell us what's going on and we'll point you to the right next step, whether or not it involves a paid placement.