Florida Assisted Living for Couples

Assisted living facilities in Florida for couples

Senior couples in FL often find it difficult to live on their own, wishing they could receive a bit of help with everyday tasks. Realizing that it might be better to have access to specialized services, they are turning towards alternative living options, such as assisted living. These senior living facilities offer access to housing and various services, with emphasis on assistance with ADLs. They welcome couples as well as individuals over the age of 60, as long as they can cover the associated fees.

Assisted living in Florida

How many assisted living centers are there in FL? In Florida, there are over 1,700 assisted living facilities. This should come as no surprise, as the Sunshine state is one of the most popular choices for retirees from all over the country. These senior living communities can be found in the following locations: Jacksonville, Cape Coral, Naples, Port St. Lucie, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Tallahassee. All ALFs receive their license from the Agency for Healthcare Administration, which also handles their regulation.

Given the long waitlists, senior adults – couples included – are advised to apply early on and not wait to reach the recommended age. Once their application is accepted, they will undergo a thorough medical examination. Based on the results of the respective assessment, an individualized service plan is developed. The main idea of this plan is to cover both the needs and expectations of residents, including in terms of assistance and healthcare.

The individualized service plan will mention the physical needs of the resident, including what measures should be taken in care of emergency evaluation and how much assistance is required. It might also specify any existent impairments and the medication plan, with the respective dosage and frequency intake. Service plans are updated periodically, particularly after major health events.

Assisted living facilities only accept senior adults and couples if they are able to meet their needs. ALFs are generally looking for people who still maintain their independence, capable of taking part in the planned activities. Residents should require minimum assistance with ADLs, but the staff will accommodate more complex needs, if necessary. Assisted living communities in Florida do not accept residents who need restraints or represent a danger to themselves or other. The same goes for those who are bedridden or require complete assistance, or those who need 24/7 skilled nursing.

Financing and costs of assisted living in Florida

The average monthly cost of assisted living in Florida is around $3,500. By comparison, the national average is of $4,000. Despite the fact that Florida represents a popular choice among retirees, the ALF costs are similar to those found in neighboring states, such as South Carolina and Mississippi. Florida ALFs are less expensive than North Carolina, but cheaper than Alabama or Georgia.

Within the Sunshine state, the costs of assisted living vary considerably. In population-dense areas, such as Naples, you can expect to find the higher costs for such retirement living solutions. Compared to nursing home care, which has an average monthly cost of $10,000, assisted living is a lot cheaper. Both home health care and memory care cost more than assisted living.

Prospective assisted living residents who are not able to cover the associated fees solely through their income can apply for financial assistance. The Florida Long-Term Care Waiver can be used to pay for the care and assistance received in such a facility. Application criteria regard one's age, residency, Medicare policy existence, nursing home eligibility, and income. It is worth mentioning that this program has a limited number of accepted applications and a long wait list.

Assisted living costs in Florida

Assisted living facilities accept seniors who are in need of specialized healthcare, assistance with ADLs, and adapted housing. Seniors are also given access to various services and amenities. In the state of Florida, there are different types of assisted living communities one can choose from. Each facility offers several care packages, allowing prospective residents to choose the one that corresponds the most. It is worth mentioning that most facilities of this kind do not provide skilled nursing care or offer this service only to a limited extent. In the paragraph below, you can find useful details on the costs of assisted living, along other information that might be useful to know.

Average costs of assisted living and memory care

How much does assisted living cost in FL? The average cost of assisted living in Florida is $4,000 per month or $48,000 per year. This is lower than the national median of $4,500 per month or $54,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive assisted living facilities are found in Naples, averaging at $5,300 per month or $63,000 per year. The most affordable communities of this kind are located in Gainesville, averaging at $2,350 per month or $28,000 per year.

How much does memory care cost in FL? In the state of Florida, the average cost of memory care is $5,000 per month or $60,000 per year. This is also lower than the national median of $5,600 per month or $67,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive memory care communities are located in Naples, averaging at $6,600 per month or $79,000 per year. Gainesville has the most affordable facilities that offer memory care, averaging at $2,900 per month or $34,000 per year.

Assisted living costs more than adult day care, but is less expensive than home care, home health care, and nursing home care. Memory care costs more than adult day care, assisted living, home care, and home health care. Nursing home care is more expensive than all of the other long-term care options, averaging at $9,600 per month or $115,000 per year.

What goes into assisted living costs?

Assisted living facilities do not have entrance fees, but these senior living centers do require prospective residents to cover a deposit fee. Upon moving into the respective community, this fee is returned, according to the center policy. Seniors are expected to cover the monthly fees and also be able to pay for additional services, should they desire to benefit from them. The overall costs are influenced by several factors, including the available amenities and services, marital status, living unit type and size, access to utilities. Residents also have access to housekeeping, general maintenance, meal planning and preparation, laundry and linen service, etc.

Care fees have to be covered by residents who require specialized assistance, depending on the number of ADLs one receives help with. Care packages might also include daily planned activities, emergency response systems, physical and occupational therapy, medication management, and scheduled transportation. For spouses who want to live together in the same unit, a second occupancy fee must be covered. Some utilities, including the cable and Internet access, are available at extra cost. The same goes for healthcare, which is available at a limited extent and usually from third-party providers.

What goes into memory care costs?

Memory care facilities accommodate seniors who suffer from dementia, providing 24/7 monitoring, adapted housing, healthcare, amenities, and services. They cater to the specific needs and challenges experienced by these seniors, taking into account the type of dementia, as well as the disease stage. Safety features are widely available, helping residents feel less confused and reducing the risk of wandering and self-harm. All seniors are assisted with daily living activities, in accordance with their level of independence.

The specialists working within the respective communities also offer various therapeutic options, helping residents delay the progression of dementia. As a result, residents can work on memory, cognitive and speech skills. General services are available as well, including maintenance, housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, scheduled transportation, laundry and linen service. Additional care might be available, with options such as incontinence care, diabetes care, mobility assistance, and wound care.

Senior living in Florida - cost comparison with other states

The cost of assisted living in the state of Florida is below the national average. However, Florida is more expensive than its neighboring states. The overall costs are as follows: Mississippi - $3,500 per month or $42,000 per year; Alabama - $3,500 per month or $42,000 per year; Georgia - $3,500 per month or $42,000 per year; South Carolina - $3,600 per month or $43,000 per year.

When it comes to memory care, the average cost in the state of Florida is below the national median as well. Florida is more expensive than its neighboring states. Georgia has an average monthly cost of $4,400 or $52,000 per year. Alabama averages at $4,300 per month or $51,000 per year.

Finding the best senior living facility in Florida for your needs

It is never easy to see your loved ones getting old and needing more help than in the past. The caregiving burden can sometimes become too much, not to mention specialized assistance can greatly contribute to a better quality of life. A careful research process can be useful in finding the best long-term care community for your senior(s). Whether you are interested in assisted living or memory care facilities, remember that the costs might vary from one community to the other, in accordance with the available care and services.

We are more than happy to assist you with the decision-making process. Give us a call and we will offer detailed information on the costs of each senior living facility. We take pride in assisting caregivers and seniors with discovering the right communities for their needs, with careful consideration to their needs and budget. The overall costs depend on various factors, including one's health status, underlying conditions, level of independence, presence of a companion, and additional services. Both assisted living and memory care communities are more than pleased to provide details on their long-term care programs, should you be interested in a particular one.

Services provided to married couples by assisted living facilities in Florida

If you are married and you want to move into an assisted living facility in Florida, it might be a good idea to check out the available services. Both couples and residents living alone have access to similar services, including: housekeeping, laundry and linen service, general maintenance, Internet, scheduled transportation, emergency call system, 24/7 security, meal planning and preparation, dietary adjustments, etc.

Healthcare services are available to all residents, including diabetes care, medication management, and dementia care. The latter is offered in ALFs that have memory care units. All residents benefit from assistance with everyday tasks, including eating, grooming, bathing, toileting, getting dressed, mobility, and oral hygiene. Dementia residents might also be monitored by the personnel, receiving added assistance where necessary.

Amenities for couples moving to an assisted living in Florida

Florida-based assisted living facilities offer couples the possibility to live in apartment-style units. Some facilities might have only bedrooms, but all living units are accessible and offer a home-like atmosphere. The apartments are equipped with keyed entries, a fully functional kitchen and accessibility features. Each apartment must have a minimum of square footage, while bedrooms cannot accommodate more than two residents.

Each retirement facility has its own range of amenities, with some of the most common including: learning center, swimming pool, café and restaurant, hair salon and barber shop, social club, recreational areas, guided walks, off-site trips. Weekly religious services are organized in most facilities, with a chaplain available at all times. Most ALFs are pet-friendly, but it might be a good idea to check the policy first. Dementia residents benefit from additional amenities, such as memory gardens or therapies meant to help them conserve their skills.