Florida Memory Care (Residential Alzheimer’s Care): Costs, Regulations & Financial Help

Legal Definition of Memory Care in Florida

It is important to understand the distinction between assisted living, memory care and nursing homes in Florida. All 3 types of residences provide room and board, assistance with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, and mobility and social activities. However, memory care is designed and staffed specifically for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Memory care is also referred to as Special Care Units or less formally as Alzheimer’s care homes. These homes differ from traditional assisted living in several ways by:

– having increased security and supervision
– requiring additional staff training
– requiring recreational activities specific for persons with dementia
– costing more (see below)

Memory care homes are not nursing homes. Generally, these residences are less expensive and offer a better quality of life to their residents. Some medical care may be provided, but not full-time-nursing care.

All assisted living in Florida is regulated by the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration’s Bureau for Health Facility Regulation.

Florida Memory Care / Residential Alzheimer’s Care Costs

Given Florida’s large size, there is a considerable difference in the cost of memory care statewide. In 2024, on average, the cost of memory care in Florida is $9,017 per month. However, even in the same geographic areas, the cost of memory care may go up or down by 20% depending on amenities and occupancy rate.

Notably memory care in The Villages is expensive. Well above the state average, but even within The Villages, there is variation. For those unaware, the Villages is an age-restricted community near the middle of the state that spans 30 square miles and has a population of more than 100,000.

The least expensive place for memory care is in the Tampa area.

If you live near Florida’s border with Alabama and Georgia both have on average less expensive memory care costs than Florida. Georgia costs $5,692 per month and Alabama memory care runs about $5,652 monthly. Mobile, Alabama, for instance, is about 60 miles from Pensacola, and memory care in Mobile is less expensive than Pensacola by more than $1,000 per month. Other major cities and average costs are:

Assisted Living Laws & Regulations

Admissions Requirements & Process

In Florida, in order to be admitted to an assisted living residence there are several requirements that must be met. They include:

-Not displaying symptoms of a contagious disease.
-Able to perform daily living activities (bathing, grooming, eating, etc.) with supervision or assistance.
-Able to take medication (with or without assistance).
-Not requiring around-the-clock care from a mental health professional
-Not being confined to bed.
-Not having pressure sores that are stage 3 or 4 in severity.
-Not needing assistance with feeding tubes or drainage tubes following surgery.

In addition, residents must undergo an initial physical exam by a doctor (or nurse practitioner) who works for the residence. The cost of this assessment is typically included in the price of admission. However, it is possible you’ll need to use your own doctor for this assessment and need to cover the cost yourself. This exam must be completed no earlier than 60 days prior to admission and no later than 30 days after admittance. After the initial exam, a physical must be performed every 3 years to ensure residents continue to meet the requirements of assisted living facility residency in Florida.

Upon move-in, Florida residences must provide a “disclosure statement”. This documents explains in written form what services and care supports are offered, the facilities policies including eviction, and all potential fees and patient rights. It is unlikely a residence will provide their disclosure statement on their website. However, by law, the residence must provide this documentation to residents upon admission. They should also keep a record of it, should a family have misplaced their copy.

Additionally, when looking for more information about residences and their disclosure statements, one can search with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). This governing body licenses and regulates Florida’s healthcare residences such as assisted living and memory care communities.

Facility / Residence Requirements

In Florida, Special Care Units for people with dementia must be physically constructed for their safety and wellbeing. One example is that memory care facilities might have an enclosed outdoor area to prevent wandering. In addition, activities specifically geared towards patients with dementia are required, as well as the availability of around-the-clock staff. Private resident bedrooms must be at least 80 square feet for one person or 60 square feet per person if there is more than one. Four is the maximum number of roommates allowed in one unit. There must be one toilet and sink for every six residents, and one bath or shower for every eight.

Staff & Training Requirements

Prior to employment, all staff must undergo a background investigation, including a fingerprint check by the FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Training of staff varies depending on the position and what services are provided. All employees who have not completed core training must attend an orientation prior to interacting with residents. This training must be a minimum of 2 hours and cover topics that pertain to the needs and safety of the residents. All assisted living facilities must have an administrator who has taken a 26-hour training course that covers a variety of subjects, including dementia. Upon completion of the course, the individual must pass a test.

Employees working with Alzheimer’s patients in Special Care Units must have dementia training. Staff who have interaction daily with individuals with Alzheimer’s, but aren’t responsible for directly caring for them, must undergo 4 hours of dementia training in the first 3 months of being employed at the facility. Staff who directly care for persons with dementia must undergo 4 more hours of training within 9 months of being hired.

For assisted living residences that house a minimum of 17 residents, at least one staff member who is trained in CPR must be on duty at all times. If the assisted living facility offers administration of medications to its residents, an employee must be licensed to give it according to the physician’s order or the instructions on the medication’s label. Employees that aren’t licensed to give medications are still able to assist with self-administration of medications. However, some training is required in order to do so: an initial 6 hours of training on medication assistance and an additional 2 hours of training each year.

Florida uses a minimum staff-to-resident ratio staffing approach, which means the required number of staff hours is based on the number of residents in the facility. For instance, a facility with up to 5 residents must have a minimum of 168 staff hours per week, a facility with 26 to 35 residents must have at least 294 staff hours per week, and a facility with 56 to 65 residents must have a minimum of 416 staff hours per week.

Regarding medication management in memory care, a residence must advise families who will administer prescriptions to their loved one. The staff member does not need to be a licensed healthcare professional, rather they simply have to complete four hours of training when they are hired and an additional two hours of continuing education annually. Once trained, staff can bring medication to a resident, help them read the label, and open the bottle, put the medication in a patient’s mouth or apply it topically. They cannot give injections or medications that are not regularly prescribed.

Evictions

Regulations in Florida say that a person must be discharged or evicted if the residence can no longer meet their care needs. Because dementia is progressive, you need to be sure that the home is equipped to care for your loved one as the disease advances from early to middle and later stages.

There is no specific policy about the process for eviction. The residence will have its own policy. Can someone be evicted for nonpayment? Does aggressive behavior cause a person to be thrown out of a residence? These are important questions that should be answered before signing a contract to move in. For tips on evictions, including what to do if you receive an eviction notice, click here.

Reporting Complaints and Concerns

If you have concerns or complaints about a memory care community or a resident’s treatment, you can contact Florida’s long term care ombudsman office. This is a governmental entity that protects the elderly living in long-term care communities and that the communities are complying with their move-in contract. They also help to resolve problems, investigate injustices, and act as oversight to different state and federal programs that have to do with the health and welfare of elderly residents in long-term care facilities.

Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Florida

Medicaid: Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long Term Care

Medicaid is a jointly funded federal and state program. The Florida program that provides long-term care and support is the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program (SMMC-LTC). In addition to covering the cost of nursing home care, the SMMC-LTC will cover the cost of supportive services in a variety of settings, such as one’s home, adult day care, adult foster care, and assisted living/memory care residences.

Florida Medicaid will pay up to $1,500 a month towards the cost of care in assisted living/memory care. However, Medicaid will not cover the cost of room and board. The statewide average monthly cost of memory care in Florida in 2024 is over $9,000, but about 70% – 80% of that cost is room and board for which the family is responsible. Note that in some areas of Florida (like the Tampa area), the cost of memory care can be right under $5,000 per month.

There is limited availability in this program causing a waitlist to occur. Patients are assessed and the most medically needy are put at the top of the list. To date in Florida, it is estimated that the current wait time is anywhere from six months to two years, and changes in different regions of the state.

To be eligible for Florida Medicaid in 2024, a single applicant must have a monthly income of less than $2,829 and total countable assets of less than $2,000. However, many assets including in some cases, one’s home are exempt from being counted. Furthermore, there are alternative pathways to becoming Medicaid-eligible. More on Florida Medicaid Eligibility or Take a FL Medicaid Eligibility Screening.

Florida’s Optional State Supplementation

Florida’s Optional State Supplementation provides cash assistance above and beyond Social Security. It is applied towards the cost of room and board at an assisted living residence, adult foster care home, or a mental health treatment facility. The maximum cash assistance available for a single person was $239 / month. However that should be somewhat higher in 2024 given the cost-of-living adjustments.

Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative (ADI)

In Florida, there is a program called the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative. This program does not help pay for residential memory care, financial assistance may be provided to help care for a loved one with dementia. For example, respite care, both at home and in adult day care, is available to give caregivers a break from their caregiving duties. Other benefits can include medical supplies, case management, and caregiver training. This program is run through the 11 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA).

Veteran’s Affairs (VA)

Veterans are statistically more likely to develop dementia. Among the reasons for this is that traumatic brain injuries and posttraumatic stress disorder lead to a higher probability of developing the condition. The VA offers many benefits for Alzheimer’s and dementia as well as different pension types.

VA Pensions

There are three types of VA Pensions available. The benefits change annually and are valid from December 2023 to December 2024. The benefits (and their maximum allowance) are as follows:

1) Basic Pension – This benefit is also known as a death pension. It is for veterans and surviving spouses who are aged or disabled. The qualifying disability does not need to be related to their military service. On an annual basis, the Basic Pension pays:

– Veterans without spouses or children up to $16,551

– Veterans with dependent spouses or children up to $21,674

– Surviving spouses without dependent children up to $11,102

2) Aid & Attendance – Abbreviated as A&A, this is an important program for veterans and their surviving spouses who require assistance with activities of daily living. This means they need assistance with activities like bathing, dressing, and eating. A&A is particularly helpful for people with dementia, especially in the middle and later stages of the disease, when the need for more assistance becomes necessary. A&A is intended to help with the long-term care costs of adult day care, in-home care, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. Based on an individual’s need and the progression of the disease, most of these additional services that support your loved one will become necessary. Annually, the A&A pays:

– Veterans without spouses or children a maximum of $27,609

– Veterans with dependent spouses or children a maximum of $32,729

– Surviving spouses without dependent children a maximum of $17,743

3) Housebound – For veterans and surviving spouses who are permanently disabled and unable to leave their homes, making them require additional assistance. The definition of “home” can include assisted living, memory care, and nursing home. The Housebound pension, like the A&A pension, is meant to help cover long-term care costs. Annually, the Housebound pays:

– Veterans without spouses or children a maximum of $20,226

– Veterans with dependent spouses or children a maximum of $25,348

– Surviving spouses without dependent children a maximum of $13,568

Veterans’ Homes

In Florida, there are nine state-run Veterans Homes. These are long-term care facilities managed on a state level for qualified veterans, their spouses, or children. They offer a range of services that support veterans who can no longer reside in their homes. The services can range from nursing home care to assisted living, memory care, and adult daycare. These homes are designed to give veterans the quality of care they need while costing less than a privately owned long-term care facility.

Since the Veterans Homes are managed by the state, there is no uniform nationwide cost. Many factors affect the price one has to pay after qualifying to be admitted. There is the cost of the VA home, a person’s service-connected disability rating, their assets, and monthly income. There are limits set as to how much a VA facility can charge (again these vary state by state) and they cost approximately 50 to 70% of a typical privately owned assisted living facility or nursing home. Additionally, there are two different costs to patients in Veterans Homes. Either one has to pay an out-of-pocket deductible or the cost is entirely covered by the VA because of their disability rating. If the patient has to pay a portion of the bill, the state additionally pays a subsidy that is either a percentage of an individual’s income or a set daily rate. Normally, Veterans will need to combine this financial help with other VA and state benefits so they are left with a minimal out-of-pocket expense.

The Veterans’ Homes are located in Lake City, Panama City, Port Charlotte, Daytona Beach, Land-O-Lakes, Pembroke Pines, and St. Augustine. Neighboring states have Veterans’ Homes, so a loved one might consider looking there for more options as there are no requirements that one must live in the state. For example, Alabama has 4 VA homes and Georgia has 2. There are a limited number of beds in these homes, so reach out about available space and waiting lists before visiting. For help finding the right veterans’ home for your loved one who served, contact the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. More info.

Other Options

1) Elder care loans exist for families to cover the costs of moving into memory care while waiting for other financial resources to become available. For example, if one is waiting for a VA pension to be approved or waiting to sell a home. More on bridge loans for memory care.

2) Tax credits and deductions like the Credit for the Elderly and the Disabled, or the Child and Dependent Care Credit (if you can claim your elderly loved one as a dependent). Remember also that medical and dental expenses can be deducted, and that can include assisted living costs.

3) A reverse mortgage can be an option for a married person moving into memory care, if their spouse continues to live in the home. However, if the spouse moves from their home, the reverse mortgage becomes due.