The cozy city of Stuart is nestled on the banks of the St. Lucie River, between Palm Beach and Vero Beach, on Florida’s renowned Treasure Coast. One-quarter of Stuart’s population of just over 16,000 is aged 65 and older, and this charming, history-steeped city has lots to offer as a retirement destination. Seniors can enjoy water views in every direction, warm weather year-round, an affordable cost of living and a pedestrian-friendly downtown featuring an expansive riverfront promenade lined with shops and eateries. History buffs can visit the Road to Victory Military Museum and Stuart Heritage Museum, while those who favor arts and culture can attend the yearly Stuart Art Festival and the varied performances held at the Lyric Theater.
Assisted living facilities provide an environment where seniors can maintain their independence while benefiting from daily assistance. Generally, these communities offer household chore services, daily meals and wellness activities, with trained caregivers onsite 24/7. Assisted living communities in Stuart, FL, cost an average of $3,763 per month, which is very affordable compared to both statewide and national averages.
In this guide, you’ll find more information about the cost of assisted living compared to other cities in Florida, a list of local resources that support seniors’ needs and an overview of assisted living facility regulations.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Florida. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
Assisted living services in the Stuart area cost an average of $3,763 per month.
Stuart is considered to be a very affordable destination for seniors, with monthly care costs that fall almost $250 below the state average and over $700 below the national average.
Assisted living in Stuart is very affordable compared to many top cities in Florida. Miami, for example, is over $600 more expensive than Stuart. Rates in North Port and Orlando are also higher by several hundred dollars. Naples, which has the highest assisted living costs in Florida, is over $1,500 more expensive per month. Rates in Tallahassee and Jacksonville are more than $800 higher than costs in Stuart. However, the Tampa area offers even more affordable rates with average costs that are lower than Stuart by $400.
Note: Data for Stuart was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Port St. Lucie, was used instead.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Florida.
Contact | Description | |
MARTY Access Bus Service | (772) 463-2860 | Stuart seniors and disabled adults who cannot use the fixed-route bus service due to age or disability may qualify for rides through MARTY Access. This ADA-compliant, door-to-door, shared-ride service operated by Martin County Public Transit is offered on weekdays, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Rides are available to and from destinations within 3/4 of a mile of scheduled fixed routes. |
Martin County Veterans Services | (772) 288-5448 | Experienced staff at the Martin County Veterans Services office in Stuart is available to help senior veterans obtain service-related state and federal benefits to which they are entitled. MCVS staff can determine a veteran’s eligibility for various benefits and help complete and file applications for disability compensation, VA pensions and the VA’s Aid and Attendance and Housebound Allowance pension supplement programs. MCVS also provides rides on weekdays for veterans who need transportation to the VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach. |
Florida Department of Elder Affairs SHINE Program | (800) 963-5337 | The Florida DOEA trains volunteer SHINE counselors to provide free health insurance advice to Medicare-eligible seniors and their families. SHINE counselors can offer unbiased information about Medicare eligibility, coverage and enrollment, and point Stuart seniors toward programs that can help defray their out-of-pocket medical costs. Assistance is available by phone, or at two counseling sites in Stuart. |
Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (561) 837-5038 | The Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program office in West Palm Beach trains volunteers who work to ensure that residents of local long-term care facilities enjoy a high quality of life. These volunteers make regular assessment visits to Stuart assisted living facilities and talk to seniors about their rights as residents. Local ombudsmen can also investigate complaints and advocate for residents to resolve issues related to their care and living conditions. |
Aging and Disability Resource Center | (772) 467-0008 | Seniors in Stuart and throughout Martin County can contact the Aging and Disability Resource Center for help accessing aging-related resources aimed at improving their quality of life. Operated by the Area Agency on Aging – Palm Beach/Treasure Coast, the ADRC has experienced staff on hand who can provide seniors with personalized Medicare and long-term care options counseling, as well as referrals for nutrition education, healthy living and other beneficial programs. |
Florida Rural Legal Services | (772) 466-4766 | Florida Rural Legal Services offers legal assistance to Stuart seniors who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. This nonprofit firm can help seniors resolve civil legal problems related to long-term care, consumer law, public benefits, individual rights, and abuse and neglect. Assistance is also available with writing advance directives and wills. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Stuart area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.