November is a time to honor and recognize the countless dedicated professionals who play a pivotal role in the well-being of our communities. Home care aides, nurses, therapists, and social workers, often unsung heroes in the health care community, make an immeasurable difference in the lives they touch.

Recognizing their profound impact, the Home Care Association of Florida (HCAF) joins the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) to commemorate November as National Home Care & Hospice Month. This year, under the theme #YourCareYourImpact, we spotlight the invaluable services these professionals provide to express our utmost appreciation and respect.

With an estimated 10,000 Americans reaching the age of 65 every day, the demand for health and personal care services is continually rising, leading to soaring costs. Home care and hospice emerge as the preferred choice for most patients, offering substantial cost savings while delivering personalized care. Care provided within the home is more affordable than hospital or nursing home care. It also empowers countless seniors to maintain their independence, allowing them to age gracefully in the familiar surroundings of their communities — a goal shared by more than 90% of Americans.

As part of our month-long celebration of home care and hospice, NAHC has launched a pioneering campaign to elevate the perception of home-based care, spotlighting the setting as a hub of innovation, exceptional value, and a top choice for consumers. This represents a significant milestone for our industry as we strive to attract and retain talent while delivering top-quality care to our most vulnerable population.

For additional information and free resources to help us celebrate National Home Care & Hospice Month, please visit NAHC.org/YourImpact.

Economic Profile of Home Care in Florida 

• 2,366 – Number of state-licensed home care agencies in Florida
• 316,437 – Number of Medicare beneficiaries who received home health services in 2021 (source)
• 76,478 – Number of home care employees (source)
• 122,457 – Number of jobs created by home care (source)
• $3.5 billion – Total wages for the Florida home care workforce (source)
• $5.6 billion – Total impact on state labor income (source)
• $745 million – Total annual savings by providing care at home rather than in a facility-based setting (source)