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Assisted Living in Florida

Florida is known for its sunshine and beaches, as well as some of the world's best-loved theme parks. With more than 20% of its population aged 65 and older, Florida has one of the highest senior populations in the U.S. and that number continues to grow each year. The state is a popular destination for retirees, largely due to the warm, subtropical climate and a lack of state income tax, which helps make Florida an affordable place for seniors to live.

While many seniors in Florida live independently, some require long-term care in assisted living facilities. The average cost of assisted living in the state is $3,500 per month, according to the Genworth 2019 Cost of Care Survey. This is $551 less than the national average, which is $4,051 per month. The guide that follows offers information about senior living in Florida, the cost of assisted living in the state, programs that are available to help pay for care and the rules and regulations that govern assisted living facilities.


SeniorAdvice's Guide to Assisted Living in Florida



Seniors scores help older adults and their families determine the senior-friendliness of a community or state. Scores are based on 100 variables and broken down into four categories: Recreation & Leisure, General Quality of Life, Health & Safety and Finances. Florida's Senior Score is 75, which is slightly higher than the national average of 72. The state received a score of 71 for General Quality of Life, while scores in the other three categories were each a bit lower.



SeniorScore™ for Florida



The SeniorScore™ is calculated based on over 100 variables, some of which are shown below. The final score is curved based on a linear curving method. For More info visit senioradvice.com/seniorscore.

75

SeniorScore™ Overview

  • Florida's SeniorScore™ of 75 is higher than the national average of 72.
63

Health & Safety

  • Florida has high access to Medicare registered healthcare providers.
  • Florida has a high number of hospitals within the state.
  • Florida has a high number of senior living facilities within the state.
  • Florida has a very high number of home healthcare providers operating in the state.
  • The average life expectancy in Florida is 79.4, compared to the national average of 78.6.
  • Florida has a high overall property crime rate compared to national averages.
  • Florida has a high overall violent crime rate compared to national averages.
64

Recreation & Leisure

  • 32% of the population in Florida are seniors, compared to 29% nationally.
  • Florida has 1,049 golf courses in the state.
  • Florida has an average number of municipal parks throughout the state.
  • Florida has 4,638 churches in the state.
67

Finances

  • The property taxes average 3.47% of total income in Florida, which is significantly higher than the national average of 2.79%.
  • The property taxes average 0.94% of property value in Florida, which is significantly lower than the national average of 1.09%.
  • The average sales tax in Florida is 6.75%, which is lower than the national average of 6.97%.
  • The average state income tax in Florida is 0.00%, which is significantly lower than the national average of 3.38%.
  • The mean household income in Florida is $66,706, which is higher than the national average of $64,580.
  • Florida's median household income is $50,327, which is lower than the national average of $51,560.
  • The average per capita income in Florida is $26,790, which is higher than the national average of $25,611.
  • Assisted living costs in Florida average $38,255 per year, which are lower than the national average of $42,700.
  • Nursing home costs in Florida average $100,307 per year, which are higher than the national average of $92,481.
  • Costs for adult daycare in Florida average $17,076 per year, which are lower than the national average of $17,931.
  • Costs for home healthcare in Florida average $43,941 per year, which are lower than the national average of $46,197.
  • The unemployment rate is about 10.36% in Florida, which is significantly higher than then national rate of 8.26%.
  • The overall cost of living in Florida is average compared to national averages.
  • 0.87% of the senior population in Florida are financially responsible for at least one grandchild.
71

General Quality of Life

  • Florida receives an average of 53.1 inches of rain per year.
  • Florida has an average annual temperature of 71.7 degrees fahrenheit.
  • Florida has an average low temperature of 61.3 degrees fahrenheit.
  • Florida has an average high temperature of 81.1 degrees fahrenheit.
  • Florida has an average population density of 1,292 people per square mile.
  • Florida has an average public school quality ranking.
  • Florida has a high public school safety ranking.
  • Florida has an average graduation rate of 85.37%.

Florida has a high number of hospitals and senior living facilities when compared with other states, which contributes to its Health & Safety score. Additionally, the state's average life expectancy is 79.4, which is 0.8 years longer than the national average. When it comes to safety, the state's score is reduced due to its high property and violent crime rates.

Points are gained for Florida's lack of state income tax and below-average sales tax rate. However, when comparing property taxes to income, Florida's residents put more of their retirement budgets toward paying these tax bills. Senior recreation is widely available throughout Florida, with numerous municipal parks and more than 1,000 golf courses situated throughout the state.

Florida scored high for its General Quality of Life, thanks to its warm year-round temperatures and average annual amount of precipitation. Other factors that contribute to this score include public school safety, graduation rates, and school rankings.



Top Assisted Living Facilities in Florida



Westminster Manor - Bradenton, FL

Westminster Manor

1700 21st Ave W

Bradenton, FL 34205

1-855-238-4376

20 Reviews  

Westminster Communities of FL - Westminster Manor is a 59 bed senior housing community located within the South Bradenton area of Bradenton, Florida. The neighboring area has a dense population, with about 31,000 individuals living in the 34205 ...

Get Pricing Info See Details

 
 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Florida



When compared to the national average of $4,051 per month, assisted living in Florida and the surrounding states is considerably less expensive. At $3,500 per month, Florida is tied with South Carolina for the second-highest assisted living costs in the immediate geographical area, coming in just below Mississippi, where seniors pay an average of $3,524 per month. Less expensive rates are found in Alabama and Georgia, where the average monthly costs are $3,250 and $3,335, respectively.

  • Florida: $3,500
  • National Average: $4,051
  • Mississippi: $3,524
  • Alabama: $3,250
  • Georgia: $3,335
  • South Carolina: $3,500

The Cost of Assisted Living in Florida's Top Cities

Throughout Florida, the cost of assisted living varies based on location. In Miami and Tampa, the average monthly cost is below the state average at $3,250 per month. In Tallahassee, seniors pay an average of $4,775 per month, which is over $1,200 more than Florida's median cost. In Orlando and Jacksonville, costs are above the state and national averages at $4,274 and $4,263 per month, respectively.

  • Miami: $3,250
  • Orlando: $4,274
  • Tampa: $3,250
  • Jacksonville: $4,263
  • Tallahassee: $4,775

Senior Care Cost Comparison in Florida

Cost of care differs depending on the level of care seniors require. While assisted living costs an average of $3,500 per month, seniors who need more intensive care in a nursing home can expect to pay a much higher average of $8,547 per month. Those who continue to live at home and require either homemaker services or home health care can expect to pay $4,004 or $4,195 per month, respectively. Seniors who attend adult day care programs pay the least, at an average of just $1,473 per month.

  • Assisted Living: $3,500
  • In-Home Care: $4,004
  • Home Health Care: $4,195
  • Adult Day Care: $1,473
  • Nursing Home Care: $8,547

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Florida



Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program


Phone Number: (800) 963-5337
Website: https://ahca.myflorida.com/medicaid

The Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program helps Florida's senior citizens pay for the cost of assisted living and other services they commonly require. All care is coordinated by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to ensure participants receive the services they need. Through this program, seniors can access a broad range of services in addition to assisted living care, including intermittent nursing services, medical equipment, occupational therapy and transportation services.

To qualify for the Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program, Florida residents must be aged 65 and older or disabled. Additionally, they must be financially eligible for Medicaid. As of 2020, to be eligible for Medicaid as an aged, blind or disabled person, an individual should have an income of $961 per month or less, and no more than $5,000 in countable assets. Once a person meets these eligibility requirements, they must undergo a Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services (CARES), which is provided by the Department of Elder Affairs to determine the level of care they require.


Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly


Website: http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us/doea/pace.php

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a non-Medicaid managed care program that helps seniors access medical and care services within their budget. While the program doesn't cover the full cost of assisted living, it does help participants pay for personal care, as well as other services that are often provided within assisted living facilities. These may include recreational therapy, nutritional counseling and restorative therapies. Additionally, those who are enrolled in PACE programs receive services such as primary care, prescription medications, hospital care and transportation from providers within the PACE network.

To participate in PACE, seniors need to be at least 55 years of age and at risk of admission to a nursing home unless they receive some of the services provided by the program. Additionally, they must live within a designated PACE program area, which in Florida includes Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Pinellas counties. There are no income requirements to enroll in PACE; however, the cost of the program is determined on a sliding scale. Seniors who are below the national income threshold may receive services for free, while those with higher incomes may pay a monthly fee for the services they receive.


Florida Community Care for the Elderly


Phone Number: (800) 963-5337
Website: http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us/doea/cce.php

Florida Community Care for the Elderly is a state program that offers community-based services to elderly and functionally disabled individuals. The program is aimed at helping seniors continue living in a safe, non-restrictive environment for as long as possible by providing services such as case management, personal care, intermittent nursing care and counseling. While the program is typically reserved for seniors who are victims of neglect or abuse and require immediate assistance, it can provide care to seniors who require financial help with services in their assisted living facility when space is available.

To qualify for this program, seniors must be 60 years of age, or older, and undergo a comprehensive assessment each year to determine their level of need. This assessment must deem the applicant functionally impaired before they can receive services.


Florida Assisted Living Rules and Regulations



In Florida, the Bureau of Health Facility Regulation oversees care provided to seniors in assisted living facilities throughout the state. It regularly conducts inspections to ensure facilities are compliant with state regulations. The table below gives an overview of the rules and regulations that these facilities must adhere to in the state of Florida.

Scope of Care

A standard assisted living facility may provide housing, meals and personal care services, such as assistance with or supervision of activities of daily living and self-administration of medication.

Care Plan Requirements

All facilities in Florida must use a department-provided form to disclose services to be provided and their cost, activities that are available at the facility but not included in monthly costs, the facility's operation rules and information regarding outside services and how to arrange for them.

Medication Management Requirements

Administration of medication may not be provided by caregivers, unless they are licensed to do so.

Staff Screening Requirements

All employees must submit to a criminal history record check via a fingerprint search through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI. Rescreening must be performed every five years.

Staff Training Requirements

Caregivers must complete at least 26 hours of initial training and pass a competency test, and complete at least one hour of in-service training in infection control.

Medicaid Coverage

The Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care program can help seniors to pay for the cost of assisted living.

Reporting Abuse

Abuse can be reported to the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman by calling (888) 831-0404.


Free Assisted Living Resources in Florida



Senior Companion Program

Florida's Senior Companion Program connects seniors with volunteers who offer friendship, transportation services, shopping assistance and advocacy. The program's goal is to help elderly persons improve their mental health and sense of self-worth.

Contact: Call (850) 414-2374 and ask for the Senior Companion program for more information.

Elder Helpline

The Elder Helpline provides seniors with information about services and activities available in their county. This program can connect seniors with crucial social services outside of their assisted living community, as well as recreational programs and senior centers.

Contact: The Elder Helpline can be accessed through the Florida Telecommunication Relay System by calling (800) 955-8771, or seniors can follow the link above to contact the Elder Helpline for their county.

Find a Ride Florida

Seniors who aren't able to easily access transportation from their assisted living facility can use Find a Ride Florida to connect with free and low-cost transportation options. The program is provided by the Florida Department of Transportation. It helps seniors aged 60 and older, as well as disabled or vulnerable individuals, access safe transportation to and from appointments and errands.

Contact: Call (866) 779-6121 for more information.


Florida Agencies


Florida Department of Elder Affairs

Address: 4040 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee, FL 32399-7000
Phone Number: (800) 963-5337
Website: http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us/index.php

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) advocates for the health and safety of seniors throughout the state. This agency administers various programs and benefits that are designed to enhance the quality of life for seniors and ensure they can live independently for as long as possible, reducing the need for nursing home care. Some of the resources provided through the DOEA include adult protective services, senior legal services and memory disorder clinics.


Area Agencies on Aging in Florida


Area Agencies on Aging help seniors connect with aging-related resources in their local area. There are 11 AAAs located throughout the state, each one providing case management services and helping seniors access essential services, such as transportation, personal care, nutritional services, legal assistance and Medicaid/Medicare counseling.


Veteran Affairs Offices in Florida


The Department of Veteran Affairs exists to help seniors who've served their country in the military. The VA may provide financial assistance to seniors who require assisted living services via the Aid and Attendance pension benefit. This benefit is specifically designed to help veterans or their spouses when they require assistance with activities of daily living. It's a cash benefit that may be used to pay for assisted living, in-home care or other supports. Additionally, the VA provides services such as benefits assistance, health care and counseling to veterans and their spouses.


Social Security Offices in Florida


The Social Security Administration offers a variety of supportive services that may be available to seniors in Florida. These include medical insurance, prescription drug assistance, and Supplemental Security Income, which can be used to help eligible seniors offset the cost of assisted living.

 

Other Cities in Florida

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