Skip to main content
Assisted LivingAssisted Living & Memory Care✓ Verified
Wauchula, Hardee County
Last verified: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Senior Connection Center, Inc. (DOEA PSA 6 ADRC), Florida CARES Area 6B & LTC Ombudsman — Hardee County Network
About This Organization

Mandatory state-designated Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), Long-Term Care Medicaid medical level-of-care assessment unit, and resident rights protection network governing Hardee County (Planning and Service Area 6 / PSA 6, covering Hardee, Highlands, Polk, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties). Anchored by three statutory agencies: (1) Senior Connection Center, Inc. (8928 Brittany Way, Tampa, FL 33619, Elder Helpline 1-800-963-5337 / (813) 740-3888, Florida Sunbiz Doc# 756143, EIN 59-2074063, President & CEO Charlotte McHenry), the official Area Agency on Aging and ADRC that manages the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Long-Term Care (LTC) Waiver waitlist, 701S screening, and Older Americans Act funding for Hardee County; (2) Florida Department of Elder Affairs CARES (Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services) Area 6B Office (200 N Kentucky Ave, Suite 302, Lakeland, FL 33801, (863) 680-5584), the team of registered nurses and assessors who perform the mandatory medical Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) evaluation required before any Hardee County senior can receive ICP Nursing Home Medicaid (at Vivo Healthcare Wauchula or Lakeside Neurologic) or SMMC LTC Waiver funding (at ACES or in-home); and (3) the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program — West Central District (200 N Kentucky Ave, Suite 224, Lakeland, FL 33801, (863) 413-2764 / Toll-Free 1-888-831-0404), which investigates resident care complaints and protects against improper discharges in Hardee County facilities (acceptsMedicaid: true).

Official Verification Sources: Senior Connection Center, Inc. — Official DOEA PSA 6 Aging & Disability Resource Center; Florida Department of Elder Affairs — CARES Regional Offices Directory (Area 6B); Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program — West Central District Directory

Verified State & Regulatory Credentials
Statutory DOEA PSA 6 Area Agency on Aging (ADRC), CARES Unit & LTC Ombudsman: Senior Connection Center (Sunbiz #756143, EIN 59-2074063) | DOEA CARES Area 6B ((863) 680-5584) | LTC Ombudsman West Central ((863) 413-2764)Status: Active Statutory Long-Term Care Medicaid Gatekeeper & Resident Advocacy Network (acceptsMedicaid: true)

Issuer: Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA), AHCA & U.S. Administration for Community Living

Notes: Senior Connection Center, Inc. (Sunbiz Doc# 756143, EIN 59-2074063, 8928 Brittany Way, Tampa, FL 33619, 1-800-963-5337) is the designated DOEA PSA 6 Area Agency on Aging & ADRC for Hardee County. DOEA CARES Area 6B (200 N Kentucky Ave, Ste 302, Lakeland, FL 33801, (863) 680-5584) conducts mandatory Medicaid NFLOC assessments for Hardee County, and the West Central District LTC Ombudsman (200 N Kentucky Ave, Ste 224, Lakeland, FL 33801, (863) 413-2764 / 1-888-831-0404) advocates for Hardee County facility residents (acceptsMedicaid: true).

Services Offered
DOEA PSA 6 Elder Helpline & SMMC Long-Term Care Medicaid Waiver Waitlist Intake (1-800-963-5337)
Mandatory Florida CARES Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) Medical Assessments ((863) 680-5584)
Institutional Care Program (ICP) Nursing Home Medicaid Pre-Admission Screening (PASRR & CARES)
West Central District Long-Term Care Ombudsman Facility Advocacy & Discharge Defense ((863) 413-2764)
Older Americans Act Title III-E Caregiver Support, Respite Grants & Adult Abuse Referral Coordination
Direct Coordination with NU-HOPE Wauchula ((863) 773-2022) & DCF ACCESS Medicaid (acceptsMedicaid: true)
Frequently Asked Questions

Factual details and direct answers about Senior Connection Center, Inc. (DOEA PSA 6 ADRC), Florida CARES Area 6B & LTC Ombudsman — Hardee County Network's services, licensing, and credentials.

What are the two mandatory steps to qualify for Florida Long-Term Care Medicaid in Hardee County?

First, a Hardee County senior or caregiver must call the Senior Connection Center Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 (or the local NU-HOPE Wauchula office at (863) 773-2022) to complete a 701S screening for the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Long-Term Care waitlist. Second, the Florida DOEA CARES Area 6B team ((863) 680-5584) conducts a mandatory medical assessment confirming Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) alongside the DCF ACCESS financial eligibility review (acceptsMedicaid: true).

Who should a family call if they have concerns about care quality or an improper discharge at a Hardee County facility?

Families and residents can contact the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program — West Central District at (863) 413-2764 or toll-free at 1-888-831-0404 (https://ombudsman.elderaffairs.org) for free, confidential investigation and resident rights advocacy inside any Hardee County nursing home or assisted living facility.

Contact Information
Address
8928 Brittany Way, Tampa, FL 33619
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm (CARES Area 6B Lakeland: (863) 680-5584 | LTC Ombudsman: (863) 413-2764)
Take Action

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.