Jacksonville Assisted Living

Florida is famous for its sunshine, beaches, and retirement communities. With so many assisted living communities in the state and specifically in Jacksonville seniors will find the ideal place to live. When it comes to affordability, Florida assisted living facilities cost lower than the national average.

What Does Assisted Living Cost in Jacksonville?

Assisted living communities in Jacksonville cost more than the national average. A one-bedroom, single occupancy room in Jacksonville averages $4,023 per month. The national average rate is $3,600 per month, while the median rate for the state is $3,150, according to the 2015 Genworth Cost of Care Survey for Florida.

The local rates do vary depending on location. SeniorAdvisor.com has listings in the Jacksonville area for as low as $1,700 per month for a semi-private room to more than $4,995 per month for a two bedroom apartment. There is a wide range of options between these two points. Several of the assisted living communities listed were awarded the 2016 Best of Senior Living Award by families on the directory’s site, including Elmcroft of Timberlin Parc, Atria Park of San Pablo, The Windsor at Ortega, Brookdale Mandarin Central, Sunrise of Jacksonville, and Cypress Village. These communities feature competitive rates.

What You Can Expect From Assisted Living

More than just fulfilling needs, a high quality assisted living facility nurtures the residents’ sense of well-being by providing services and luxury options. Many facilities provide meal preparation and luxurious dining facilities. Some communities allow small pets and provide private outdoor areas. With so many options available, choosing the best assisted living community for you or a loved one is easier now more than ever.

Choosing an Assisted Living Facility in Jacksonville

When choosing an assisted living community, review the range of services and options they offer. Some services will mean more to you and your quality of life than others. Collect recommendations from friends and family members and read online reviews of facilities written specifically by the residents or their immediate family.

Many of the communities in Jacksonville offer health and wellness programs to keep you actively engaged. Before you make any final decisions, tour the facility and speak to a few of the residents. It is suggested to take family members with you on the tour to get their input. Moving into an assisted living facility is a big decision. The following are a list of services many top-rated facilities offer their Florida residents:

Housekeeping

Transportation

On-site medical care

Personal care

Toileting and incontinence

Bathing and dressing

Alzheimer’s and other dementia care

24-hour staff and security

Emergency systems

Exercise programs

Meals and dining

Medication management

Laundry service

Social and recreational activities

Paying for Assisted Living in the Sunshine State

There are several options available, however, Medicare will not cover assisted living. Life insurance policies, normally used in the event of the policyholder’s death to pay expenses, can be used to pay for assisted living for a Jacksonville resident. The company may buy back the policy at 50 to 75 percent of the face value. If the company refuses to buy back the policy, the policyholder can turn to a third-party company that will take over the payment of the premiums and give the policyholder 50 to 75 percent of the face value. Instead of the family receiving the benefits when the policyholder dies, the third-party company will receive the money.

Long-term care insurance policies may cover assisted living if it is termed as “home care” or “facility only”. Review the coverage carefully to determine if your policy covers assisted living communities.

If you or your spouse served in the military for at least 90 days active duty and/or one day during wartime, you may qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit through the Veterans Administration. The medical condition does not need to be service related, however, certain medical conditions must qualify for the assistance.

Florida’s State Medicaid Long-Term Care Managed Care (LTCMC) covers assisted living facilities. To qualify, you must prove that your condition is serious enough that you would need to be in a nursing home if you were not receiving long-term care services and meet the financial eligibility requirements. If you receive Social Security benefits, you are eligible. If you are not receiving SSI, then your monthly income must be no more than $2,163 or $4,326 for a couple trying to qualify for LTCMC.

Take the time to research and tour the assisted living communities in the Jacksonville area.