There are over 3,000 assisted living facilities in Florida and no two are the same. That’s why it’s so important to tour different facilities before deciding on the best option for you. Here are some interesting facts about assisted living in Florida that might interest you in your search for the right assisted living facility for yourself or your loved one. 

#1. The average cost of assisted living in Florida is just over $3,000 per month

Assisted Living in Florida averages $3,150 per month. This is higher than the national average of $2,877 per month, but it is still on the more affordable range. The most expensive states for assisted living include:

District of Columbia: $7,838 per month

Delaware: $5,745 per month

New Jersey: $5,725 per month

Alaska: $5,703 per month

Connecticut: $5,575 per month

The most affordable state for assisted living is Missouri, at an average of $2,525 per month. The fifth most affordable state is Louisiana, at $3,010 a month, only slightly lower than Florida’s average.

#2. There is no nationwide definition for assisted living

Since there is no nationwide standard to define “assisted living communities,” the type and level of care offered at each institute can vary drastically. So too can the level of care different patients need, even within the same facility. 

The National Center for Assisted Living found that 81% of residents at Assisted Living Facilities in the US required help with medication management, while just 22% required assistance eating. Additionally, they found:

87% of residents needed help with meal preparation

72% needed help with bathing

52% needed help dressing

36% needed help toileting

25% needed help transferring

The more care an elderly individual requires the greater the cost of assisted living.

#3. Assisted living is NOT a nursing home

Assisted living is for more independent seniors, hence why more seniors require help with meal prep, but fewer need help with more personal day-to-day tasks like showering. Assisted living is catered to mobile residents, while nursing homes are geared to bed-ridden patients. Yet, some assisted living communities also offer more advanced care.

Nursing homes are often shared occupancy rooms, more like a hospital. Assisted living residents tend to live in private studios or one to two-bedroom apartments. This offers couples and single seniors the chance to live in the comfort of home, but with added perks.

Nursing homes tend to be more expensive than assisted living facilities because they offer a higher level of care and supervision. The Florida Health Care Association reports that a semi-private room in a Florida nursing center is on average around $87,600 per year. The average private room in an assisted living facility in Florida is much lower at $37,800 per year.

#4. There are 3,089 licensed assisted living facilities in Florida

According to the Agency for Health Care Administration, there are 3,089 licensed assisted living facilities in Florida, with a total of 92,000 beds. Additionally, there are 683 nursing homes licensed in the state.

#5. Stellar Transportation is always there to pick you up

Regardless if you live in your own house or at a senior assisted living community, Stellar Transportation would love to show you what superior non-emergency medical transportation is all about. We specialize in wheelchair and stretcher patients, as well seniors of all health and mobility levels.

Get a quote today for local or long distance transportation in Melbourne, FL and beyond