Statutory state and federal regional governance network overseeing all Florida Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC LTC) Waiver applications, mandatory nursing home Level-of-Care (LOC) clinical determinations, SHINE Medicare counseling, and facility resident rights advocacy for Franklin County (Apalachicola 32320, Carrabelle 32322, Eastpoint 32328, St. George Island 32328, Lanark Village 32322, and Alligator Point 32346): (1) Advantage Aging Solutions (legally incorporated as the Area Agency on Aging for North Florida, Inc., active Florida 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation, Florida Sunbiz Document #743340 [also cross-referenced in legacy state filings under #737421 and #747625], FEI/EIN 59-1844633, CMS NPI #1235703224, headquartered at 2414 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32308; Main (850) 488-0055, Toll-Free 1-866-467-4624, Statewide Elder Helpline 1-800-96-ELDER / 1-800-963-5337), serving as the designated Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) for DOEA Planning and Service Area 2 under Florida Statutes Chapter 430 and managing 701S/701B waitlist prioritization for the SMMC Long-Term Care Medicaid Waiver across AHCA Region 2 / Region A managed care plans (Sunshine Health 1-866-796-0530, Humana Medical Plan 1-800-477-6931, and Simply Healthcare Plans 1-844-405-4296); (2) Florida Department of Elder Affairs — CARES (Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services) Area 2B Office (4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 380, Tallahassee, FL 32399, (850) 414-9803, Email cares02b_general@elderaffairs.org; alongside Area 2A Panama City at (850) 747-5840), whose registered nurses and clinical assessors perform mandatory pre-admission Nursing Facility Level-of-Care (LOC) medical evaluations for Franklin County seniors entering St. James Health and Rehabilitation Center / Arabella Health & Wellness of Carrabelle (#SNF130471042) or enrolling in the SMMC LTC Medicaid Waiver; and (3) the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program — Panhandle / Northwest District Council (4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 380, Tallahassee, FL 32399, Panhandle District Direct (850) 921-4703, Northwest District (850) 916-6720, Statewide Toll-Free 1-888-831-0404, Email LTCOPInformer@elderaffairs.org under F.S. §§ 400.0060–400.0091), conducting free, confidential investigations of resident care complaints, improper discharge notices, and resident rights violations across all PSA 2 nursing homes and assisted living facilities (acceptsMedicaid: true).
Official Verification Sources: Advantage Aging Solutions — Area Agency on Aging for North Florida (DOEA PSA 2 ADRC — Sunbiz #743340); Florida Department of Elder Affairs — CARES Area 2B Pre-Admission Assessment ((850) 414-9803); Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program — Panhandle District Council ((850) 921-4703 / 1-888-831-0404)
Issuer: Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA), Florida AHCA & U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL)
Notes: Verified 2026-10-26: (1) Advantage Aging Solutions / Area Agency on Aging for North Florida, Inc. (Sunbiz Doc# 743340, legacy ref #737421 / #747625, EIN 59-1844633, NPI #1235703224, 2414 Mahan Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32308, (850) 488-0055 / 1-800-963-5337) is the statutory DOEA PSA 2 ADRC for Franklin County. (2) DOEA CARES Area 2B ((850) 414-9803, cares02b_general@elderaffairs.org) conducts mandatory nursing home and Medicaid waiver Level-of-Care medical certifications for Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla counties. (3) Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program — Panhandle District Council ((850) 921-4703 / 1-888-831-0404) advocates for residents at St. James Health and Rehabilitation Center / Arabella (#SNF130471042) and regional corridor ALFs (acceptsMedicaid: true).
Factual details and direct answers about Advantage Aging Solutions (Area Agency on Aging for North Florida — DOEA PSA 2 ADRC #743340 / Ref #737421, 1-800-96-ELDER), DOEA CARES Area 2B ((850) 414-9803) & Panhandle / Northwest District Long-Term Care Ombudsman Council (1-888-831-0404)'s services, licensing, and credentials.
How does a family in Apalachicola, Carrabelle, or Eastpoint apply for the Florida Medicaid Long-Term Care Waiver, and how is medical eligibility determined?
To apply for the Florida Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC LTC) Waiver in Franklin County, call the Advantage Aging Solutions (DOEA PSA 2 ADRC) Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) or (850) 488-0055 (or contact the Franklin County Senior Citizens Council in Carrabelle at (850) 697-3760) to complete a 701S intake screening. Once released from the waitlist, registered nurses with the DOEA CARES Area 2B office in Tallahassee ((850) 414-9803) conduct the mandatory clinical Level-of-Care (LOC) assessment while the Department of Children and Families (DCF ACCESS) verifies financial eligibility (acceptsMedicaid: true).
Who should a Franklin County family contact to investigate a care complaint or improper discharge notice at a nursing home or assisted living facility?
Residents and family members can call the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program — Panhandle District Council at (850) 921-4703 or the statewide toll-free hotline at 1-888-831-0404 (or email LTCOPInformer@elderaffairs.org). Certified ombudsmen conduct free, confidential, unannounced on-site investigations at St. James Health and Rehabilitation Center / Arabella Health & Wellness of Carrabelle (#SNF130471042) and all regional PSA 2 facilities.
Connect with complementary legal, financial, and residential providers serving seniors in Apalachicola and Franklin County.
Franklin County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller — Probate, Guardianship & Small Estates Division (Hon. Michele Maxwell, Judge Jay Gordon Shuler, County Attorney Thomas M. 'Michael' Shuler, Esq. & 2nd Circuit Public Guardian)
Apalachicola, Franklin County
(850) 653-8861
Centennial Bank — Apalachicola, Eastpoint, St. George Island & Carrabelle In-County Branches, Centennial Financial Services (Crowley Wealth / Ameriprise) & PeoplesSouth Bank (Apalachicola)
Apalachicola, Franklin County
(850) 653-2301
Apalachicola Housing Authority (HUD PHA #FL036) & Northwest Florida Regional Housing Authority (#FL046) — Franklin County Senior Public Housing & Section 8 Registry
Apalachicola, Franklin County
(850) 653-9304
Expert guidance, benefit eligibility rules, and state protections for older Florida residents and family caregivers.
George E. Weems Memorial Hospital (AHCA #4173 — Critical Access Swing-Bed Skilled Nursing, 24/7 Emergency & Weems Medical Centers East & West) & Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf Border Hospital
Apalachicola, Franklin County
US-98 West Port St. Joe (22 Mi. W of Apalachicola) & US-319 North Crawfordville / Tallahassee Nearest ALF & SNF Corridor — Our Home at Beacon Hill (#AL10713), Eden Springs (#SNF1582096), Azalea Gardens (#AL13050), Canterfield (#AL13336) & Villas at Killearn Lakes (#AL13303)
Apalachicola, Franklin County
Franklin County AHCA-Licensed Hospice, Inpatient Respite & Palliative Care Hub — Big Bend Hospice (AHCA #5002096 / Ref #5008096, Margaret Z. Dozier Hospice House) & Western Border Covenant Care / VITAS
Apalachicola, Franklin County
2nd Judicial Circuit Specialty ALF (ECC / LNS / Medicaid Waiver), Memory Care & FDVA State Veterans' Nursing Home Corridor — Clifford C. Sims State Veterans' Home (#SNF10960961), Sodalis (#AL9700), The Opal (#AL9181), The Gables / HarborChase (#AL9730), Allegro (#AL9746) & Brookdale (#AL9057)
Apalachicola, Franklin County
Disclaimer: This directory listing is for informational purposes only. Florida Senior Support does not endorse or guarantee the quality of services. Please verify information and services directly with the organization.