Assisted Living in Florida

Bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and by Alabama and Georgia to the north, Florida is the southern-most state on the U.S. mainland. Famous for its gorgeous coastline, thousands flock to Florida every year to visit its sandy beaches.

The “Sunshine State” is deserving of its nickname. Known for its beautiful weather, the state often relies on sunny days to fuel its tourist economy. Visitors can relax with a trip to the picturesque Florida Gulf Islands, enjoy the day at an amusement park in Orlando, or visit one of the state’s more than 1,000 golf courses. Whether walking down the beach or teeing it up on the courses, seniors who chose assisted living in Florida are sure never to waste a sunny day.

Assisted Living in Florida Defined

There are three types of assisted living facilities in Florida: standard, limited nursing services and extended congregate care. Standard homes are most like traditional assisted living facilities, which offer assistance with activities of daily living and supervision, but allow and encourage residents to remain otherwise independent.

Facilities with limited nursing care services allow licensed nursing staff or caretakers to provide limited or temporary medical assistance with, for example, “the application and care of routine dressings, and care of casts, braces, and splints.”

When an assisted living community offers extended congregate care services, it means that residents who may be unable to live in traditional assisted living homes due to a greater degree of physical or mental impairment are able to continue doing so.

Cost of Assisted Living in Florida

Assisted living in Florida costs, on average, $31,950 per year or about $3,261 per month. Assisted living costs in Florida vary depending on location, with the minimum monthly rate in some areas being as low as $1,200 or as high as $6,663 in others. Additional services or needs may include additional fees.

Here is a list of the average monthly rates* broken down by city for a one-bedroom, single-occupancy apartment in a Florida assisted living facility:

*Genworth Financial 2011 Cost of Care Survey.

While assisted living care is primarily funded through private savings, Florida seniors may qualify for financial assistance through government programs depending on their income level and personal finances. In addition to federal programs such Section 8 Vouchers, Social Security (SSI) and Veteran’s Benefits, funding sources for assisted living in the state of Florida include:

• Assisted Living for the Elderly (ALE) Waiver – A part of Medicaid, this waiver covers care management, assisted living services and incontinence supplies (if needed) for income-eligible seniors age 60 and older.
• Medicaid Assistive Care Services (ACS) – This program is a Medicaid-based state plan for adults age 18 and older who have a medical need for supportive living 24 hours a day.
• Long-Term Care Community Diversion Program – This Medicaid waiver is for seniors age 65 and older who would otherwise qualify for Medicaid nursing home placement, but have chosen to receive assisted living care instead.
• Optional State Supplementation (OSS) – A state-based, cash assistance program, OSS is available to income-eligible adults age 65 or older to help defray the costs of long-term residential care.   

For more information on government funding for assisted living in Florida, visit the Florida State Department of Elder Affairs.

Regulating Assisted Living in Florida

Assisted living in Florida is regulated by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration and the Florida Bureau of Long Term Care Services. Every assisted living facility must apply for a license from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. To be granted a license, the facility itself must also be in compliance with fire safety laws and complete a criminal history screening of all employees.

Once granted a license, the facility must renew it every two years. To ensure resident safety, the Agency for Health Care Administration’s Assisted Living Unit must inspect the facility upon receiving a complaint from a resident.

Find Assisted Living in Florida

Browse our comprehensive directory to find assisted living in Jacksonville, Port Saint Lucie, Vero Beach, Tampa, Clearwater and other part of Florida.

Written by senior housing writer Stacy Rost.