Florida Memory Care Facilities

Despite being one of the most sought-after states in the nation for senior living, Florida remains impressively affordable. In fact, prices for dementia care in Florida rank within the Top 10 cheapest across the U.S. It is impossible to beat the quality, affordability, pleasant weather, and exclusive communities dedicated to all types of Florida senior living - independent living communities, assisted living, nursing homes and dementia care homes.

Statistically, Florida ranks sixth in terms of being the most affordable for dementia care and Alzheimer’s. Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and West Virginia are the only southern states with cheaper rates, while Alabama and South Carolina rank just behind Florida.

So, while the southern U.S. is generally considered the most affordable for memory care communities, what separates Florida is the high demand. Many seniors want to live here, yet thanks to the abundance of Alzheimer’s care homes, there are rarely any waiting lists or extremely stiff competition.

Breakdown of the Cost of Memory Care Facilities in Florida

The average cost for dementia care in any part of the United States is approximately $160 per day. Compared to Florida Alzheimer’s care facilities, which cost on average $140 per day, families of loved ones dealing with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia can save $20 or more per day. When you do the math, that is approximately $600 in savings per month, and $7,200 per year.

Affordable Florida memory care homes are located throughout the state. Some reported rates go for as little as $80 to $90 per day. A huge selection of other affordable Florida Alzheimer’s care facilities can also be found in the $100 to $120 price range.

However, it wouldn’t be Florida, without high-end, luxurious memory care communities as well. Some rooms can go for $200 or more per day, with a few reports in the $230 per day price range. These units generally provide more amenities and hands on dementia care. Sometimes, the care homes are exclusive to dementia care and house no other types of seniors.

Based on population, these communities offer some of the best selections and most variety of dementia care: Miami, Tampa and St. Petersburg area, Orlando, Jacksonville, Sarasota and Bradenton area, Cape Coral and Fort Myers, and Palm Bay and Melbourne. Some of the small, exclusive communities in the Key Largo area are especially nice but expensive. The most affordable Florida memory care homes are more inland, or in the bigger cities.

Florida Dementia Care - Amenities

Florida memory care facilities seek to restore dignity and vitality to loved ones struggling with Alzheimer’s and dementia, known for ravaging self-identity and preventing daily functioning.

Assistance with day to day activities like bathing, using the restroom, getting dressed and other hygiene activities is offered to make for a more comfortable, relaxing living environment for residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Extra security measures are installed and observed to prevent wandering or patients getting lost. GPS monitoring or other helpful markers like color-coded walls and directions can help senior citizens feel safe and secure in their new living circumstances.

Memory Care Admission Requirements in Florida

Florida imposes detailed requirements before a senior with dementia gets admitted to a memory care facility. In this state, for a resident to be admitted to an assisted living facility including in special care units, he or she would need to meet several requirements.

Note that a Memory Care Home is considered as a special care unit in the state of Florida.

• Should be minimum of 18 years old
• Must have some form of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
• Does not exhibit symptoms of any kind of contagious disease
• Can perform activities of daily living with supervision or assistance (Examples of activities of daily living are: grooming, bathing, eating, etc.)
• Can take medication with or without help
• Does not require 24/7 care from a mental health specialist
• Does not require nursing needs like assistance with feeding tubes or draining tubes
• Must not be restricted to a bed
• Must not have any pressure sores in severity level stage 3 or 4

The resident should undergo a preliminary physical examination between 60 days before the admission date to 30 days after being admitted.

A physical exam would be performed every 3 years to ensure that the residents are meeting the requirements of the facilities in Florida.

Secured Memory Care Units

There are dedicated sections of Memory Care Units depending on the needs of the residents and the severity of the cognitive challenges. As added security measures, some units may have restricted access for added control. Unique codes and badges might be required before a door can be opened or closed.

Memory Care Regulations

Facility

In Florida, Memory Care Homes must be constructed safely and the overall wellness of residents with neurological conditions must be considered. While it is not explicitly specified what this involves, most Florida Memory care homes have an enclosed outdoor area. This is obviously to keep the residents from wandering away and getting lost. Additionally, facilities are required to create a recreational plan that is geared towards their dementia residents. Staff is required 24/7.

Staff and Training

As part of the pre-employment checklist, an applicant needs to undergo a background investigation that includes a fingerprint check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The training is variable to the position and the services that are provided but all employees complete an orientation and a core training before interacting with the residents. The basic learning session covers topics about the needs and safety of the residents including the best way to handle common situations. The length of the training is a minimum of 2 hours.  

Administration

The facility is required to have an administrator to oversee it. For this role, one must have taken and completed a 26-hour training curriculum that covers a lot of subjects including training on dementia. After the training, the aspiring administrator needs to pass a test.

Employees that are working and interacting with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (shortened as ADRD in Florida) must complete the appropriate training. Staff who have contact with residents with ADRD but are not directly responsible for assisting must complete a 4-hours training about dementia. This should be completed within the first three months of employment.

Personnel that directly takes care of an ADRD resident must complete 4-more hours of additional training. This needs to be completed within nine months of their employment.

For Memory Care Homes that have a minimum of 17 occupants, it is mandatory that a personnel trained in CPR is on duty 24/7.

If the facility offers administration of medicines as one of its services, a licensed member of the staff shoulders the responsibility of giving the medicine as prescribed by the physician or as instructed on the medicine’s label. Other non-licensed employees can still oversee and assist any self-administration of medicines by able residents. Selected training is a requisite and involves an initial 6-hours training on medication assistance and 2 more hours of additional training every year.

Florida follows a minimum staff to resident ratio methodology, meaning the mandatory number of staff hours is grounded on the total number of residents.

When Is Your Loved One Ready for Memory Care?

The early stages of dementia can often still be managed at home but with the reality that it is a progressive syndrome. The cognitive skills will progressively decline and deteriorate and over time, your loved one won’t be able to manage themselves no matter how much they want it.

The progress of dementia is unique for every senior but there are tell-tale indicators that you can watch out for and from there, contemplate the readiness of your loved one for a memory care facility.

• Incontinence
  When a patient suffering from dementia loses their overall voluntary control, especially over their public health, the experience and feeling can be overwhelming and scary to them and also to their caregivers.  The constant change of clothing diapers and the much needed 24/7 care would then be required and trained professionals can step in and make the transition better.
• Safety at Risk
  Confusion and incomprehension are expected for dementia patients and as much as you want your loved one to just stay at home, there would be times that they might end up lost and not remembering the way home. They can forget general traffic rules and cross on a red light. If there have been incidents and times that your loved one’s safety has been put at risk and even those of other people, consider memory care in Florida.
• Failing Well-Being
  It is not just the physical condition that is changing but also the behavioral aspect. A person suffering from dementia gets these unpleasant experiences without warning and it leaves them anxious and fearful. Dementia causes them to feel lost triggering them to forget paying their bills, eating proper meals, and even taking their medication. If a family member cannot take on the role of ensuring that there is sufficient support for your senior’s health then asking help from well-trained caregivers is an option for you.

If you do not have the support required from other family members in taking care of a senior with Alzheimer’s or dementia and in providing them the needed support and safe environment, it’s best to prioritize getting assistance that is tailored to their necessities.

The decision of moving a loved one with dementia to a memory care facility in the state of Florida is personal and very hard but if left without due attention and urgency, the situation may escalate for the worst.

Questions to Ask Memory Care Communities During a Tour?

Exploring a memory care facility can help you be more confident in making the correct decision. You’ll want the transfer to be as seamless as possible and assured that you are providing a safe and comfortable environment for your loved one. It is not just reassurance for yourself but also to your loved one.

It is best to list down your concerns and communicate openly with the facility’s personnel. Create a relationship with them where you can freely express your sentiments, get your questions answered and your anxiety assured.

Here are some questions that you can refer to but as you go along, clarify and verify as needed.

1. How does the memory care facility communicate with the resident’s family so they can be updated with the resident’s well-being? How often does the update happen?
2. What level and extent of care does the memory care community provide?
3. Are all community workers trained and ready to care for dementia patients?
4. How secured is the community and how is the security of the premises ensured?
5. What level of individual support can the resident expect?
6. Are the rooms private or shared? What is the price difference for each?
7. What are the inclusions of the monthly rate?
8. What happens in case of a medical emergency?
9. What are the activities you have for the community? Is there a unique program for every resident?
10. What is the resident to staff/caregiver ratio?

Some of these questions might already be answered in the hand-outs or even on the facility’s website but there is nothing wrong with asking and wanting to learn more.

Memory Care vs Florida Assisted Living

In the Sunshine State, assisted living accommodations provide an almost home-like environment for loved ones including seniors and individuals with disabilities and those unable to live independently.

Florida’s assisted living residences aim to provide a comfortable environment with room and board included as well as personal and/or nursing services. Ready help with activities of daily living or ADLs like dressing, bathing, walking, and getting from the chair and bed are given.

Support is also extended should the resident need help in social activities, arranging transportation, supervision, and scheduling appointments. Other activities that require supervision or guidance may also be extended at an extra cost above the monthly regular fees.

Assisted living facilities that are intended and manned especially for people who have Alzheimer’s are formally referred to as a Special Care Unit or SCU.

It is a legal reference though in the common term, these Special Care Units are referred to as Memory Care Homes.

Memory Care Homes in Florida vary from the traditional aided living in a lot of ways. The difference starts with increased supervision and security. Given the profile and nature of its population, it is only expected that every resident of the facility is always accounted for.  

Aside from the increased safety that is imposed, there is also more staff training and recreational activities for the residents. As expected, the cost is also higher in Memory Care Homes in Florida. But the benefits and the satisfaction that comes from knowing a loved one is well cared for, far outweigh the cost.