Sarasota Senior AdvisorWho is the Area Agency on Aging for Manatee County?
Senior Connection Center, Inc., the Aging and Disability Resource Center for Planning and Service Area 6, based in Tampa: (813) 740-3888 or toll-free 1-800-336-2226.
It screens for Medicaid long-term care and connects families with local services.
Who is the Area Agency on Aging for Sarasota County?
The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, the Aging and Disability Resource Center for Planning and Service Area 8, based in Fort Myers: (239) 652-6900 or toll-free 1-866-413-5337.
It serves Sarasota along with Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties.
What is Florida's Elder Helpline?
A statewide number, 1-800-963-5337 (1-800-96-ELDER), that routes callers to their local Aging and Disability Resource Center and to SHINE Medicare counseling.
It is free.
Is there a PACE program near Sarasota?
Yes: Stratum PACE is approved for Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties, with 31 enrollees (all in Manatee) in AHCA's August 2026 report.
Ask the ADRC for a referral.
Who regulates life plan communities in Florida?
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (850-413-3153) for contracts and finances under Chapter 651, and AHCA for the licensed care units.
Contract complaints can also go to the Department of Financial Services at 1-877-693-5236.
Where can veterans get free help with VA pension?
Through the Sarasota County and Manatee County veterans services offices and VA-accredited service organization representatives, who file claims at no charge.
No one may charge to prepare an initial claim.
Where can families get free legal help for seniors in Sarasota and Manatee?
Legal aid programs serving the two counties offer free civil legal help to low-income seniors on issues such as Medicaid denials, guardianship alternatives and exploitation, and the ADRCs can refer families to them.
The Florida Bar's lawyer referral service lists elder law attorneys for paid consultations.
Who helps with transportation for seniors?
Each county's ADRC can connect seniors with transportation programs, including the counties' paratransit services for people who cannot use fixed-route buses, and Medicaid plans cover transportation to medical appointments.
Book paratransit rides in advance.
Where can someone get help with a hurricane special-needs shelter?
Sarasota County and Manatee County emergency management offices run special-needs shelter registration for residents who depend on electricity or need help with daily care during an evacuation.
Register before June 1 each year.
Is there a single number for senior services anywhere in Florida?
Yes: the Elder Helpline, 1-800-963-5337, connects callers to their county's Aging and Disability Resource Center.
It also connects to SHINE Medicare counseling.
Where do caregivers find respite programs in Sarasota and Manatee?
Through the county's Aging and Disability Resource Center, which administers state-funded respite and Alzheimer's Disease Initiative services, and through adult day care centers and ALFs that offer short respite stays.
Ask about co-payments and wait lists.
