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Cost of Care

Solay 2026 Cost-of-Care Report: What Senior Care Really Costs in Pinellas County

The Solay Team6 min read
Senior woman talking with a family member at a kitchen table while reviewing a cost-of-care report

A new briefing for families weighing care

The Solay 2026 Cost-of-Care Report is a four-page briefing for families in Pinellas County and beyond who are trying to make sense of what senior care actually costs in 2026 — and what their options really are.

It pulls from A Place for Mom’s nationwide dataset of 24,305 assisted-living move-ins and 3,215 home-care agencies, AARP’s home and community preferences research, and U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 cost-benefit analysis. The conclusion is simple: at 20 hours a week, home care costs roughly half of assisted living, and the overwhelming majority of seniors would rather stay home.

Download the full report (PDF)

What’s inside

Section 01 — The national picture

Four care options, one number per family. The 2026 national medians:

  • Home care — $2,944/mo at the most common 20-hour-per-week schedule ($34/hr median).

  • Independent living — $3,200/mo, no hands-on care included.

  • Assisted living — $5,419/mo, housing plus meals plus ADL support.

  • Memory care — $6,690/mo, specialized dementia staffing and safety design.

The annual gap between assisted living and home care at 20 hours a week is roughly $29,700 — about the price of a new car, every year, for the family that chooses to age in place with support. And costs are still rising: assisted living climbed 4.4% year over year, while home care rose just 3%.

Section 02 — Florida and the case for home

Florida runs below the national median across the board. Local 2026 medians: assisted living $4,624/mo (-15%), memory care $5,495/mo (-18%), home care $31/hr (about $2,684/mo at 20 hrs/wk). The crossover point where assisted living becomes more cost-effective sits at roughly 40 hours of care per week.

The quieter case is the human one. The research is consistent:

  • 86% of adults 65+ want to stay in their own homes as long as possible (AARP).

  • 70%+ of families would prefer home-based care over a facility for their aging relatives.

  • Aging in place is associated with fewer falls, fewer hospitalizations, lower stress, and better cognitive outcomes — especially for seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia, where familiar surroundings help preserve memory and function.

Section 03 — The Solay model

Numbers without accountability are just brochures. The report closes with the four mechanisms behind every Solay promise:

  • 4-hour response from a named Family Guide — miss the window, your first week is on us.

  • The Match Protocol — two calls, 24 questions on personality, rhythm, and routine before any caregiver is assigned.

  • Same Companion, every visit — a Companion Card arrives before the first knock, and Right of First Refusal protects every match.

  • 30-day rematch, no questions — if the match isn’t right in the first month, we re-run the Match Protocol at no charge.

Why this matters now

For most families, the decision between home care and assisted living isn’t made calmly. It’s made after a fall, a hospital stay, or a hard conversation at the kitchen table. Knowing the real numbers ahead of time — and knowing that starting with a few hours of companion care can extend years at home — is the difference between a reactive choice and an intentional one.

Download the 2026 Cost-of-Care Report (PDF)

If you’re weighing care for a parent in Pinellas County, the first call with Solay is a listening call — not a sales call. Tell us what’s happening, and we’ll tell you what’s possible.

2026 Senior Care Costs & Solay Report Overview

At a glance (national vs. Florida)

  • Home care (20 hrs/wk)National: ~$2,944/mo (median $34/hr)Florida: ~$2,684/mo (median $31/hr)

  • Independent living: ~$3,200/mo (no hands-on care)

  • Assisted living:National: ~$5,419/moFlorida: ~$4,624/mo

  • Memory care:National: ~$6,690/moFlorida/Pinellas: ~$5,495/mo

  • Cost crossover: Assisted living becomes more cost-effective than home care at ~40 hours/week of in‑home care.

  • Preference to stay home: 86% of adults 65+ want to remain in their own home (AARP).

  • Annual gap: Assisted living vs. 20 hrs/wk home care ≈ $29,700/year — about the cost of a new car, every year.

Download the full 2026 Cost-of-Care Report (PDF)

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What the Solay 2026 Cost-of-Care Report covers

Section 01 — National picture

  • Median 2026 costs for: home care, independent living, assisted living, memory care.

  • Home care at 20 hrs/wk ≈ half the cost of assisted living.

  • Costs still rising: assisted living +4.4% YoY, home care +3% YoY.

Section 02 — Florida & the case for home

  • Florida medians below national:Assisted living: $4,624/mo (≈15% lower)Memory care: $5,495/mo (≈18% lower)Home care: $31/hr (≈$2,684/mo at 20 hrs/wk)

  • Crossover at ~40 hrs/wk where assisted living becomes more cost-effective.

  • Strong preference and outcomes for aging in place:86% of adults 65+ want to stay home.70%+ of families prefer home-based care.Home linked to fewer falls, fewer hospitalizations, lower stress, and better cognitive outcomes, especially in dementia.

Section 03 — The Solay model (Pinellas County focus)

  • 4-hour response from a named Family Guide (or first week is free).

  • The Match Protocol: two calls, 24 questions on personality, rhythm, and routine before assigning a caregiver.

  • Same Companion, every visit: Companion Card before first visit; Right of First Refusal to protect the match.

  • 30-day rematch guarantee: re-run the Match Protocol at no charge if the first match isn’t right.

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Why this matters now

Families usually choose between home care and assisted living after a crisis (fall, hospitalization, or a difficult family conversation). Knowing:

  • Real 2026 costs,

  • When home care remains cheaper, and

  • That starting with a few hours of companion care can extend years at home

helps turn a reactive decision into an intentional plan.

If you’re in Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, or Clearwater, Solay’s first call is a listening call, not a sales pitch: you share what’s happening; they outline what’s possible.

Download the free 2026 Cost-of-Care Report (PDF)

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Quick FAQ recap

How much does home care cost in Florida (2026)?

≈ $31/hr, or $2,684/mo at 20 hrs/week.

How much is assisted living in Florida/Pinellas (2026)?

  • Assisted living: ≈ $4,624/mo (state median, Pinellas in line).

  • Memory care: ≈ $5,495/mo.

Is home care cheaper than assisted living?

Yes, up to ~40 hrs/week. At 20 hrs/week, home care is about half the cost of assisted living.

Why do most seniors prefer to stay home?

86% of adults 65+ want to stay in their own home. Aging in place is associated with better safety, fewer hospitalizations, lower stress, and better cognition, especially for dementia.

How do I get the report?

Download the free PDF — no email required.