Your Complete Guide to Senior Support in Sumter County, Florida

Aging comes with unique challenges, for older adults and their loved ones. If you or a loved one are getting older and looking for support in Sumter County, you’re not alone—and there are plenty of resources you can turn to! 

From home care and community meal programs to transportation and assisted living, Sumter County offers a range of services designed to help seniors stay healthy, independent, and connected.

Here’s a friendly, easy-to-follow guide to everything you need to know.

Where to start: your first call to explore senior services

If you don’t know where to begin, start with Elder Options, the official Area Agency on Aging serving Sumter County. They’re your gateway to programs like meal delivery, home care, respite for caregivers, and Medicaid long-term care options.

Elder Options Contact Information: 

• Helpline: 1-800-262-2243

• Website: Elder Options

You can also call the statewide Elder Helpline (1-800-963-5337) for guidance.

Elder Options’ counselors can connect you with local partners, like You Thrive Florida, which runs programs like case management, home-delivered meals, and senior activities at the Bushnell Community Center.

Home care and in-home support

Many seniors choose to age in place, meaning they remain in their homes as they continue to age. Aging in place helps people feel more independent and connected to their existing community. 

If you’d like to stay in your home but need a little extra help, there are plenty of options for in-home care in Sumter County:

• Home Instead provides many services, including personal care, Alzheimer’s care, meal prepping, transportation, and companionship

• Legacy In-Home Care offers personalized senior home care, companion services, and Alzheimer’s/dementia support.

• FirstLight Home Care offers many of the same services as Home Instead and Legacy In-Home Care. It also provides respite care.

There are a number of other local and national home care resources, including Care.com, Granny Nannies, and The Key. 

How to choose the right home care support for you

Ask each agency about caregiver qualifications, hourly minimums, and how they handle coverage when your regular caregiver is unavailable.

Need financial assistance? Elder Options can screen you for Community Care for the Elderly (CCE) or Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). These are two state programs that can subsidize in-home help.

Assisted living & memory care options in Sumter County

If living at home no longer feels safe or practical, you may want to consider one of the assisted living facilities in Sumter County. There are a number to choose from, including a few mentioned below: 

• Sumter Senior Living (The Villages) provides multiple levels of assistance, from independent to memory care

• The Willows at Wildwood and Mission Oaks (Oxford) are two larger communities that offer assisted living and specialized care

• Shady Acres (Webster) is a smaller, homelike setting focused on dementia care.

To see a complete list of licensed facilities—and their inspection records—visit Florida’s AHCA Health Finder website. You can search by county and facility type for up-to-date results.

Community meals and social connections

Isolation is a common concern for older adults, and staying social matters just as much as staying safe. Sumter County has several programs to help you meet up with members of your community.

Join the senior activities class in Wildwood

Every Tuesday morning, the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Wildwood hosts a Senior Activities Class from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The environment is friendly, and you can just drop in for rotating activities, like arts and crafts, bingo, board games, and movie days. Sometimes, the center has “Lunch & Learns” with guest speakers for fun or educational sessions. 

Explore clubs at The Villages

If you live in (or near) The Villages, there are several groups that welcome visitors and new residents. Joining a club at The Villages is one of the quickest ways to make lasting friendships and stay active. here are hundreds of resident-led clubs covering nearly every hobby imaginable: gardening, golf, card games, travel, line dancing, photography, and more. You can find a full list of options on The Villages’ official club directory. 

Connect over Lunch with You Thrive Florida

You Thrive Florida runs senior programs throughout Sumter County — including community meal sites where seniors can share a nutritious lunch and socialize. The Bushnell Community Center is one of the most popular gathering spots, with regular meals, games, and wellness programs.

These centers offer more than food. They’re safe, welcoming places to chat, celebrate birthdays, and stay connected to your community.

Transportation services in Sumter County

When driving becomes difficult, you can use taxis or ride share services, like Uber and Lyft. Sumter County Transit is another option. 

SMT offers fixed-route shuttles and door-to-door rides for eligible seniors. You can reserve a ride by calling (352) 568-6683 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.).

Make sure to apply early for door-to-door services if you’ll need ongoing transportation to appointments or meal sites.

Sumter County Medicare agents

Sorting through insurance options can be overwhelming, and finding trustworthy, helpful Medicare advice is a challenge. Chapter provides free, unbiased Medicare advice. We compare every Medicare plan in Sumter County to recommend the right one for your unique needs and preferences—because the best Medicare plan isn’t the same for everyone. We can review your options in 20 minutes. If you already have the best coverage for your situation, we’ll tell you. If not, we’ll help you switch to a plan that better suits you. 

For help with Medicaid before you turn 65, contact SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders). This is Florida’s SHIP (State Health Insurance Program).

Veteran support in Sumter County

Sumter County Veterans Services helps veterans and families file claims, access healthcare, and find housing assistance.

Legal support

Florida Senior Legal Helpline (1-888-895-7873) provides free legal advice for older adults on wills, housing, and consumer protection.

Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida also offers no-cost representation for eligible residents.

Caregiver resources

Caring for a loved one is rewarding—but it can be stressful, too. Elder Options runs caregiver education workshops, support groups, and respite care programs so you can take a break when you need it. Ask about their Caregiver Support Initiative when you call the Helpline.

You can also use national resources, like the Alzheimer’s 24/7 helpline and our guide to caregiver burnout. 

Bottom line

Sumter County may feel small, but it’s rich in resources for seniors and their families. Whether you need a little help at home, a ride across town, or a full-service assisted living community, there’s support waiting for you. You’ve got options, neighbors, and programs ready to help you age well in Sumter County.

If you need help with Medicare, even if you’re just starting your research, we’re here to help. Call today at 855-900-2427 or schedule an appointment to talk to a Chapter Advisor and feel confident in your Medicare coverage.