A Family's Directory of Senior Services in Broward County

Quick answer: Start with one phone call: dial 211, or the statewide Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337). That reaches the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Broward County, the official front door to publicly funded senior services, which screens for eligibility and refers out. For Medicare questions specifically, SHINE offers free, unbiased one-on-one counseling through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

Summary: Caring for an aging parent means navigating a maze of programs, agencies and phone numbers, usually while you are already stressed and short on time. This directory gathers the most important senior services in Broward County into one place, with a plain-English note on what each one does and where to begin. Bookmark it. The best time to know these resources is before a crisis.

Start here: the ADRC and the Elder Helpline

If you only remember one thing, make it this number. The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Broward County, run by the Areawide Council on Aging, is the official front door to publicly funded senior services. They screen for eligibility and route you to meals, transportation, in-home help and caregiver support. Nearly every path below can start with this one call.

• Elder Helpline (local): 954-745-9779 · TTY 954-745-5689
• Statewide: 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337)
• Or simply dial 211
• Office: 5300 Hiatus Road, Sunrise, FL 33351
• Languages: staff assist in English, Spanish and Creole

Broward County Elderly and Veterans Services

The county runs its own division alongside the ADRC, covering Community Care for the Elderly, in-home supports and veterans' benefits assistance. It is a separate front door with its own intake, and worth trying if the Helpline waitlist is long.

• Central intake: 954-357-6622, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
• Elderly and Veterans Services Division
• Interpretation is available in a wide range of languages including Spanish, Creole, French, Portuguese and several South Asian languages

Medicare and insurance help (SHINE)

SHINE, which stands for Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, is a free Florida Department of Elder Affairs program offering unbiased one-to-one counseling on Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D drug plans, Medicaid and low-income assistance. The volunteers sell nothing. Reach SHINE through the Elder Helpline on 1-800-963-5337.

Transportation and TOPS paratransit

Broward County Transit runs the county paratransit service, known as TOPS, for people who cannot use the fixed-route bus system because of a disability, or who qualify on grounds of age, disability or income.

• Customer service: 954-357-8400 · TTY 711
• Two eligibility routes: ADA eligibility, which requires an in-person functional assessment, and Transportation Disadvantaged eligibility, assessed on disability and income at 225 percent of the federal poverty level
• Apply early. Determination takes 21 days from a completed application, though you may use TOPS in the meantime if the decision runs late

For fixed-route senior fares, community buses and medical transport, see our fuller guide to senior transportation in Broward.

Meals and nutrition

Home-delivered and congregate meal programs are administered through the ADRC, so the Elder Helpline is the way in. If a household is currently outside a meal program and short of food, the Helpline can arrange assistance directly. Our guide to free and low-cost senior meal programs covers SNAP and food banks as well.

Dementia and Alzheimer's support

Broward has more dementia support than most families realize, and much of it is free.

• Alzheimer's Association, Southeast Florida Chapter — 100 W. Cypress Creek Road, Suite 1046, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 · 954-786-1533, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
• 24/7 Helpline: 800-272-3900. Staffed around the clock, including by clinicians, for the three in the morning questions
• Broward's Alzheimer's Disease Initiative — county-funded respite and support for caregivers
• Support groups across Broward, listed by the ADRC

Hurricane season: two registries worth knowing

These are different programs and people routinely confuse them. Both require registering before a storm threatens.

• The Vulnerable Population Registry tells emergency workers where at-risk residents live so they can plan recovery efforts. Register online, or call 311 or 954-831-4000 · TTY 954-831-3890. It is used for planning and is not a guarantee of assistance.
• The Special Needs Shelter registry is for people who need medical assistance to evacuate or shelter but do not need hospitalization. Apply online or ask about an existing application on 954-831-3902 · TTY 954-831-3940. The ADRC also assists with registration.

Safety, abuse and protection

If you believe a senior is being abused, neglected or financially exploited, contact the Florida Abuse Hotline on 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873), which connects to Adult Protective Services. For non-emergency guidance about a vulnerable senior, the Elder Helpline on 1-800-963-5337 can advise. In an emergency, always call 911.

Legal aid and veterans' benefits

• Senior Citizen Law Project at Coast to Coast Legal Aid — free legal advice and representation for Broward residents aged 60 and over, and for caregivers. 954-736-2400, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, or 954-736-2450.
• Legal Aid Service of Broward County — free civil legal help for eligible residents on guardianship, powers of attorney, housing and benefits. 609 SW 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale.
• Veteran Directed Care — gives eligible veterans a flexible budget to arrange their own care at home. See also our guide to VA benefits for in-home care.
• Our own explainer on power of attorney for an elderly parent covers what to put in place before it is needed.

Caregiver and in-home support

Family caregivers need support too. Respite programs, support groups and adult day programs give you a break and give your parent engagement. When regular help at home becomes necessary, that is where a home care agency comes in, with companion care, personal care, respite, and 24-hour and live-in care. For families of adults with developmental disabilities, see who qualifies for APD services in Florida, and if you are weighing the cost, our 2026 home care cost guide gives realistic Broward figures.

How DavidStar fits in

DavidStar Home Care is a licensed, non-medical home care agency serving families across Broward County, from offices in Weston, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Oakland Park. We are glad to be a starting point even before you need in-home care. If you are not sure who to call for your parent's situation, reach out for a free, no-pressure consultation and we will help point you in the right direction.

Phone numbers, eligibility rules and program details change. This directory was last checked in August 2026. Confirm current information with each agency directly, or by dialling 211. If you spot something out of date, tell us and we will correct it.