Housing

Assisted Living - General Info

Mom went through three facilities in less than one year.  The first facility closed on me and so I had no choice but to move.  The second facility, which was a small house with 3 residents, ended up closing the business and moving patients from Orlando to Deltona and going private.  I had to move her from that facility to the final large ALF due to the Medicaid application process (there are more details in Mom's Story).

Moving can be difficult on an elderly person, especially one who is blind and hard of hearing.  A blind person relies on their environment remaining the same so that they can learn where to find what they are looking for and who to call when needing help.

I did as much as I could to acclimate mom to her new environments.  The private residence was the easiest transition because there were only there other residents there and the caregiver had more time to spend with mom.  But, in the larger facilities, it was more difficult because ALF staff did not have as much time to spend with residents.  And when I moved mom in, they encouraged me to stay away for the first week or two so that she could acclimate.  It was difficult to do that, but I tried to do what was best for her.

 

Assisted living facilities (ALFs) in Florida provide housing, personal care services, and support for elderly individuals who need assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, or medication management. Florida is a popular state for retirees, so it has many ALFs across different regions. Here's an overview of assisted living facilities in Florida.

 

Types of Assisted Living Facilities in Florida:

  1. Standard Assisted Living Facility: Provides basic care and services, including personal care, meals, and social activities.
  2. Extended Congregate Care (ECC): Offers more extensive care, including nursing services, for residents who need more help with activities of daily living.
  3. Limited Nursing Services (LNS): Provides residents with occasional nursing care, such as medication administration or wound care.
  4. Limited Mental Health (LMH): Specializes in serving residents with mental health disorders.

 

What services do ALF's provide?

  • 24-hour supervision
  • Assistance with daily activities (bathing, dressing, grooming)
  • Medication management
  • Housekeeping and laundry
  • Meal preparation
  • Social and recreational activities
  • Transportation for appointments

 

What Licensing and Regulations are required for ALFs?

Assisted living facilities in Florida are regulated by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Facilities must meet state requirements for health, safety, and care quality, and they are subject to regular inspections.

 

What's the cost of Assisted Living in Florida?

The cost varies depending on location, services offered, and the level of care required. According to recent reports:

  • The average monthly cost of assisted living in Florida is about $3,500 to $4,500.
  • Medicaid programs like the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC-LTC) program may help cover costs for eligible low-income residents.

 

How to Choose an Assisted Living Facility

When choosing an ALF, it's important to:

  1. Visit the facility to assess cleanliness, staff-resident interactions, and the overall atmosphere.
  2. Review the services and amenities offered.
  3. Check the facility’s license and inspection records via the AHCA’s website.
  4. Compare costs and ensure that it fits the resident's needs and budget.
  5. Talk to residents and their families to get feedback on the quality of care.

 

Oasis Senior Advisors Central Florida | Lakeland FLFinding a facility is challenging.  One of the best resources I came across was Oasis Senior Advisors.  

When I spoke with them, they provided facilites that matched my needs and physically met me at the facility so that I could take a tour and speak with facility administrators. 

 I highly recommend Oasis Senior Advisors.  They cover the following states: