Florida Senior Support
Back to All Cities

Senior Care in Gainesville, Florida

Alachua County

Gainesville is the home of the University of Florida and the center of Alachua County, so the city is young: the median age is about 26. For older residents the draw is medical care, with UF Health Shands, HCA Florida North Florida Hospital and the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center all in town. This guide pulls together the local aging agency, the senior recreation center, paratransit, what care costs in the Gainesville metro area, and the senior living and care providers in our directory.

Where do Gainesville seniors start when they need care?

Gainesville seniors usually start with ElderCare of Alachua County, the county's Community Care for the Elderly lead agency, which also runs the Gainesville/Alachua County Senior Recreation Center at 5701 NW 34th Blvd. For Medicaid long-term care screening and statewide programs, call the Florida Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337.

26.4
Median age
151,275
Population (2025 estimate)
$46,195
Median household income
$247,500
Median home value

Sources: population is the 2025 estimate and median age is from the City of Gainesville; median household income and median home value are from the Census Bureau 2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, as published by DataUSA. City of Gainesville facts, DataUSA: Gainesville, FL.

Why Seniors Love Gainesville
ElderCare of Alachua County, the local aging services agency, runs meals, adult day care and the senior recreation center
UF Health Shands Hospital, HCA Florida North Florida Hospital and the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center
Gainesville/Alachua County Senior Recreation Center for fitness, arts and health screenings
RTS Plus ADA paratransit for people who cannot use regular buses
Independent living, memory care and adult day care listed in our directory
Start With These Listings
What Care Costs in the Gainesville Metro Area

Median monthly costs from the CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025 for the Gainesville metro area (Florida statewide median in parentheses):

  • In-home care: $32 an hour, about $6,101 a month at 44 hours a week ($6,101)
  • Assisted living: $8,503 ($5,610)
  • Nursing home, semi-private room: $9,505 ($10,342)
  • Nursing home, private room: $13,688 ($12,167)

Source: CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, checked October 28, 2026. Metro medians cover several counties, so prices in Gainesville itself may differ.

Senior Centers and Local Aging Agencies in Gainesville and Alachua County

Meals, activities and in-home help from the local aging services agency.

Independent Living in Gainesville and Alachua County

Apartment-style communities for seniors who do not need daily care.

Assisted Living in Gainesville and Alachua County

Help with bathing, dressing, meals and medications.

Memory Care in Gainesville and Alachua County

Secure communities for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia.

Adult Day Care and Healthcare in Gainesville and Alachua County

Daytime programs and health services.

Other Senior Services in Gainesville and Alachua County
Healthcare Facilities
UF Health Shands Hospital, 1600 SW Archer Road
HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, 6500 W Newberry Road, 352-333-4000
Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, 1601 SW Archer Road
Local Senior Help
Elder Options
Aging and Disability Resource Center for Alachua County
352-378-6649
ElderCare of Alachua County
Local provider of state-funded help at home
352-265-9040
Florida Elder Helpline
1-800-963-5337
All Alachua County senior services

Phone numbers for the county aging agency, Medicaid plans, PACE and legal aid are on the Alachua County page.

Recreation & Activities
  • Gainesville/Alachua County Senior Recreation Center, 5701 NW 34th Blvd: open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, with fitness, arts, health education and screenings (352-265-9040)
Transportation Options
  • RTS Plus, the ADA paratransit service of Gainesville Regional Transit System: $3.00 a trip within three-quarters of a mile of fixed bus routes. Book at 352-393-RIDE (7433), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. any day, or in the RTSPlus app
  • ADA certification is required first: call the Center for Independent Living at 352-378-7474 to schedule an appointment
  • Riders with an ADA card can also ride RTS fixed routes free

Source: Gainesville RTS. See also transportation for seniors in Florida.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Our guide to senior and disabled services explains what help exists and how to apply.

Senior and Disabled Services