Assisted Living in Jacksonville, Florida

Key Takeaways

• Jacksonville, Florida, is popular among retirees for its pleasant temperatures, proximity to the coast, and the lack of a state income tax.
• In Jacksonville, approximately 70 assisted living communities offer residents access to social activities, meal plans, and assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing.
• Jacksonville has a variety of free resources aimed at helping the city’s aging population navigate long-term care, including assisted living.

Older adults seeking assisted living in Jacksonville can enjoy miles of Atlantic coastline, views of the St. John’s River, and abundant sunshine. Sometimes affectionately referred to as “Jax” by locals, Jacksonville is Florida’s most populous city, with nearly one million residents. About 14% of Jacksonville’s residents are 65 years and over, ranking it among the top 10 cities gaining the most retirees in the past two years. ^[1]United States Census Bureau. Quick Facts Jacksonville City, Florida. Found on the internet at https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/jacksonvillecityflorida/AGE775222#AGE775222

According to the Florida Healthfinder, there are 70 assisted living facilities licensed and registered in Jacksonville, FL. ^[2]Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Florida Healthfinder. lp;oFound on the internet at https://quality.healthfinder.fl.gov/facilitylocator/facloc.aspx These assisted living communities provide residential care for older adults needing help with activities of daily living ⓘActivities of daily living, also called ADLs, are activities related to necessary personal care. These include bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, walking, and transferring in and out of a bed or chair (ADLs), such as bathing and dressing and medication management. Social activities, meal plans, and transportation to medical appointments and local shopping are often included in an assisted living community’s all-inclusive rent.

Older adults in Jacksonville can expect to pay about $4,660 per month for assisted living, which is slightly above the national average of $4,500 per month. ^[3]Cost of Care Survey. Genworth. Found on the internet at ​​https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care Medicare will not cover the cost of long-term care in Florida or any other state. But Florida’s Medicaid program can help cover some of the cost of assisted living for Medicaid-eligible older adults.

Why you can trust us

Our Local Care Reviews Team works hard to provide clear, transparent information to older adults seeking senior living and home care. To provide you with the best possible information, we have spent more than 250 hours:

• Consulting with our advisory board, which consists of a certified life care manager, a board-certified geropyschologist, and a geriatric nurse practitioner
• Surveying thousands of older adults and their caregivers about their search for senior living facilities
• Conducting focus groups with caregivers to help older adults find assisted living
• Mystery shopping dozens of brands and facilities associated with long-term care for older adults
• Analyzing and synthesizing nationwide data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC), and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL)
• Analyzing and synthesizing state-specific data from government health regulatory agencies

Overview of assisted living facilities in Jacksonville, FL

Source: Florida Fast Facts. ^[4]National Center for Assisted Living. Florida Fast Facts State Profile for Assisted Living. Found on the internet at https://www.ahcancal.org/Assisted-Living/Facts-and-Figures/Documents/State%20Facts/Florida-AL.pdf The National Center for Assisted Living

Cost and financial considerations for assisted living in Jacksonville

Peace of mind and quality care are the most important considerations in choosing an assisted living community for yourself or someone you care for. But assisted living can be expensive, so your budget is an important part of the decision. Our Local Care Reviews Team has provided an overview of assisted living costs and how to cover the fees.

Paying for assisted living in Jacksonville

Jacksonville residents pay for assisted living in a variety of ways, including personal savings, home equity, insurance, or a combination of these methods.

Here are some of the resources people use to pay for assisted living in Jacksonville, FL:

• Personal savings: To help pay for assisted living, many people use pension payments, Social Security benefits, stocks, and IRA or 401(k) accounts. In Florida, withdrawals from retirement are not taxed, nor is income from public or private pensions.
• The value of your home: Proceeds from the sale of your home can help pay for assisted living expenses.
• Long-term care insurance: Long-term care insurance policyholders can be reimbursed for the cost of assisted living, but it’s important to know the details of your policy. There may be an out-of-pocket period before expenses can be reimbursed, and long-term care insurance may not pay the full cost of assisted living even after an out-of-pocket period or amount has been met.
• Medicare or Medicaid: Medicare will not cover the cost of long-term care, including assisted living. In some cases and for those who are eligible, Medicaid will cover the cost of personal care received when living in an assisted living facility, such as help with ADLs or medication administration, but it will not cover the cost of room and board.

For low-income older adults seeking assisted living in Jacksonville, Florida’s Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Long-term Care (LTC) Program may be able to help. ^[5]Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-term Care Program. Found on the internet at https://ahca.myflorida.com/medicaid/statewide-medicaid-managed-care/long-term-care-program This program allows Medicaid-eligible older adults needing long-term care to receive support in their home, community, or an assisted living facility.

The cost of assisted living in Jacksonville and nearby cities

The average monthly cost of assisted living in Jacksonville is about $4,660, which is slightly above the national monthly average of $4,500. Assisted living in Jacksonville is more affordable than in the Naples area in southwest Florida, but more expensive than in Gainesville in the middle of the state.

Table 1 Comparison of assisted living costs in Florida cities

Source: Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey ^[3]Cost of Care Survey. Genworth. Found on the internet at ​​https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care

The cost of other types of senior care in Jacksonville

Typically, assisted living communities offer three communal meals per day, social activities, and help with medication management and some ADLs, like bathing. Skilled nursing is not an ongoing service provided in most assisted living facilities.

As older adults consider where they will live as they age, it’s important to know the options. You or someone you care for may need more or less care than what is provided in assisted living, and you may prefer to stay in your home as you age instead of in a residential community. In the table below, learn what you can expect to pay for other types of senior care in the Jacksonville area.

Keep in mind that Medicare can be used to pay for some home health aide services, and for qualifying participants, Medicaid will often cover the cost of long-term care in a nursing home. In some cases, qualified recipients can use Medicaid to help cover the cost of assisted living.

Table 2 Comparing the cost of different types of care in Jacksonville, FL

Source: Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey ^[3]Cost of Care Survey. Genworth. Found on the internet at ​​https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care

Financial assistance for assisted living in Jacksonville

The monthly cost cited by many assisted living facilities covers room and board, but it may not include additional, service-related fees. The personal care ⓘ Sometimes called custodial care, personal care refers to non-medical care provided by professional caregivers, such as assistance with bathing or toileting.services many assisted living residents need, like medication management and help with ADLs, can increase the monthly fee by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living. However, there are some financial assistance options for Jacksonville residents.

Medicare

Medicare will not cover the cost of assisted living or any other form of long-term care, but it will often cover the cost of some goods and services used in assisted living, such as physical therapy or durable medical equipment (DME), like bedside commodes and shower stools. Medicare also covers the cost of outpatient health care services and some prescription drugs.

If an assisted living resident has an acute need for nursing care, Medicare will cover up to 100 days of care in a skilled nursing facility after a qualifying hospitalization. Some assisted living facilities have rules about how long they’ll hold a room, so check in with the facilities you tour about policies for evicting residents or transferring their care.

Medicaid

In most cases, Medicaid will not cover the room and board expenses associated with assisted living even if an older adult qualifies for Medicaid coverage, but it may cover the cost of personal care received in an assisted living facility, such as help with ADLs or medication administration.

In the state of Florida, Medicaid-eligible residents ages 65 and older meeting the requirements for Nursing Home Level of Care ⓘAlso called a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC), NHLOC establishes the care criteria required for nursing home admissions under Medicaid. The definition of NHLOC varies by state, but almost always takes into account one or more of the following: physical abilities, medical needs, cognitive impairment, and behavioral issues. may qualify for the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long Term Care Program. ^[5]Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-term Care Program. Found on the internet at https://ahca.myflorida.com/medicaid/statewide-medicaid-managed-care/long-term-care-program Beneficiaries of this program can receive care in a nursing home, or they can elect to receive care in their own home, a friend or family member’s home, or in an assisted living facility. There may be a waiting list for the state’s MedicaId Managed Care Long Term Care Program.

Veterans Affairs

United States veterans and their spouses can receive a host of federal veteran benefits, such as health care, pension payments, life insurance, and help with housing. ^[6]U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA benefits for service members. Found on the internet at https://www.va.gov/service-member-benefits/ Veterans are also eligible for services at the state level. In Florida, there are eight skilled nursing facilities and one assisted living facility operated by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. ^[7]Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. State Veterans’ Homes. Found on the internet at https://floridavets.org/locations/state-veterans-nursing-homes/

Alternatives to assisted living in Jacksonville, FL

Some older adults can’t afford the cost of an assisted living facility, while others may not be able to find a facility to meet their specific needs, such as a locked memory care unit. Some older adults simply prefer to age at home with the help of in-home care. Often, Medicaid will cover in-home care services more readily than it will cover the cost of an assisted living facility.

Services for older adults aging at home include:

Homemakers, also called personal companions, provide companionship as well as housekeeping and some meal preparation.

Home health aides can assist with housekeeping and can also help with ADLs, such as bathing and dressing.

In-home nursing services, such as wound care or management of a chronic disease like diabetes, are administered by a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed professional nurse (LPN) supervised by an RN.

Adult day centers, which provide social and some personal care services during the day, engage older adults while also offering caregivers respite from daily responsibilities.

Free and low-cost assisted living resources in Jacksonville

Free resources are available in Jacksonville for older adults seeking assisted living and other forms of long-term care.

Northeast Florida’s area agency on aging (AAA)

The designated area agency on aging ⓘAn area agency on aging (AAA) is a public or private nonprofit organization designated by the state as a primary resource for older adults of the region. AAA is a general term, so specific names of AAAs will vary by location. for northeast Florida is ElderSource, a community organization identifying and meeting the needs of older adults in Jacksonville and surrounding areas. Eldersource can assist with Medicare, provide access to information about long-term care, and more.

Florida Department of Elder Affairs

As an umbrella organization for Florida’s 11 area agencies on aging, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs focuses primarily on long-term care for older adults.

Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

A long-term care ombudsman ⓘ Also called an elder care ombudsman, a long-term care ombudsman advocates for people living in long-term care facilities. Under the federal Older Americans Act, every state is required to have a long-term care ombudsman program. can help you or someone you care for get quality care and help you resolve problems, including filing official care-related complaints. Their services are free and confidential. Florida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program can help long-term care residents and their families address the quality of care and services in a facility. ^[8]Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. What is a Long-Term Care Ombudsman? Found on the internet at https://ombudsman.elderaffairs.org/ You can search for your local long-term care ombudsman through the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care.

Social Security Offices

Older adults often use Social Security benefits to help pay for assisted living. It’s possible to start receiving Social Security benefits as early as age 62, but the longer you wait to start receiving benefits—up to the age of 70—the more your monthly benefit will increase. Find a local Florida Social Security office or apply to start receiving your Social Security benefits through the Social Security Administration website.

Assisted living vs. other types of care in Jacksonville

Have a discussion with friends and family about where you want to live as you age. Start by determining what city, county, and state you want to live in. Some older adults choose to stay in an area where they have family members to support them, while others choose to move to a more affordable area. Once you’ve determined where you want to live, talk to health care professionals and family members to determine the level of care you’ll need. Then, you can begin your search for the right community.

Types of senior housing available in Jacksonville

• Independent living: Independent living communities typically provide light housekeeping, on-site social activities, and three meals per day, which are often served in a dining room with other residents. According to Brookdale, the largest operator of senior housing in the United States, independent living rents in the southeast range from $1,650 to $6,435 per month, depending on location and the size of the unit. ^[9]Brookdale Senior Living. How Much Does Independent Living Cost? Found on the internet at https://www.brookdale.com/en/our-services/independent-living/independent-living-costs.html
• Assisted living: Most assisted living facilities provide housekeeping, three communal meals per day, on-site social activities, medication management, and help with activities of daily living, like bathing and dressing. The average monthly cost for assisted living in Jacksonville is $4,660, although additional fees for personal care services may increase assisted living fees. ^[3]Cost of Care Survey. Genworth. Found on the internet at ​​https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care
• Nursing home: Nursing homes provide most of the services available in assisted living with the addition of skilled nursing care. Although certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and other non-licensed professionals often provide care in nursing homes, only RNs and LPNs supervised by RNs can provide skilled nursing care. In Jacksonville, the average monthly cost for nursing home care starts at $8,213. ^[3]Cost of Care Survey. Genworth. Found on the internet at ​​https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care
• Memory care: Memory care, sometimes called special care units, can be found in both nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Dementia Care Central reported the national average monthly cost for memory care is $6,160, which is higher than the cost of assisted living, but lower than the monthly cost of a nursing facility. ^[10]Dementia Care Central. Alzheimer’s / Dementia Care Costs: Home Care, Adult Day Care, Assisted Living & Nursing Homes. February 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.dementiacarecentral.com/assisted-living-home-care-costs//

Expert advice and guidance for choosing assisted living in Jacksonville

Searching for assisted living for yourself or someone you care for can be challenging, and you don’t have to do it alone. Talk to friends and family about your options, and use Florida’s ElderSource to learn more about assisted living near you.

Tips for evaluating and touring communities

Once you have a list of assisted living facilities in Jacksonville, the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) suggests narrowing the list to two or three top choices based on availability, price, and services. ^[11]Resources for Consumers. National Center for Assisted Living. Found on the internet at https://www.ahcancal.org/Assisted-Living/Consumer-Resources/Pages/default.aspx Much of this research can be done by phone and online. Then, visit each facility on your list at least once. When you visit facilities, talk to both administrators and residents to get a feel for what it’s like to live in the community.

Finding an assisted living facility in Jacksonville to meet your needs

While you’re searching for assisted living communities, don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions. It’s important to find a community to meet your needs and that feels like a good fit for your lifestyle and personality. Consider whether you want to live in a large or small assisted living community. If living in a more home-like environment is your preference, you can start with that when beginning to search.

Table 3 Key questions to ask when touring assisted living facilities

Assisted living laws and regulations in Jacksonville

Assisted living facilities are regulated on a state level, so communities in Jacksonville are governed by the same rules and regulations as other assisted living communities in Florida.

Assisted living definition and scope of care in Florida

According to the NCAL’s 2022 State Regulatory Review, Florida defined assisted living as “designed to provide personal care services in the least restrictive and home-like environment. ^[12]National Center for Assisted Living. Assisted Living State Regulatory Review 2022 Edition. Found on the internet at https://www.ahcancal.org/Assisted-Living/Policy/Documents/2022_reg_review.pdf These facilities can range in size from one resident to several hundred and may offer a wide variety of personal and nursing services designed specifically to meet an individual’s personal needs.”

The scope of care for services provided in assisted living facilities in Jacksonville and the rest of Florida dictates the following:

• Care and services must be appropriate to the needs of older adults accepted for admission to the community.
• Personal supervision and supervision or assistance with activities of daily living must be provided by facility staff.
• Additional services provided by assisted living communities in Florida include social activities, assistance with making and getting to appointments, and as-needed nursing services.

Assisted living requirements for Jacksonville residents

In order to provide quality, consistent care for each resident, assisted living communities must have guidelines about which residents they accept.

The NCAL shared requirements for residents of assisted living facilities in Jacksonville and the rest of Florida. Assisted living residents must be:

• Free of communicable diseases likely to be transmitted to other residents
• Able to perform activities of daily living, with supervision or assistance if necessary
• Able to transfer to bed or a chair and back again, with assistance if necessary
• Capable of taking medication, either on their own or with the assistance of staff

Older adults requiring 24-hour licensed professional mental health treatment are not eligible for admission, nor are people with stage three or four pressure sores, feeding tubes, or other conditions requiring ongoing skilled nursing care.

Assisted living residents must undergo an assessment up to 60 days prior to their admission, or within 30 days of their admission. Either a physician or an advanced registered nurse practitioner will perform the standardized health assessment to ensure the resident’s needs can be met in the assisted living community they chose.

It’s important to know residents of Florida assisted living facilities can be discharged if they no longer meet the admission criteria or if they are bedridden for more than seven days. Talk to staff at the communities you tour about their specific admission criteria, so you’re prepared for potential discharge if your needs change.

Jacksonville assisted living staff requirements

Minimum staffing ratios help to determine the minimum number of hours qualified staff members must work in order for a community to run smoothly and safely. Currently, just 12 states require minimum staffing ratios for assisted living facilities, including Florida. ^[13]Long Term Care Community Coalition. Assisted Living Fact Sheet: Staffing Ratios. Found on the internet at https://nursinghome411.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/LTCCC-Assisted-Living-Fact-Sheet-Safe-Staffing.pdf

According to the NCAL, Florida staffing requirements specify a facility must be under the supervision of a trained administrator and “staffing must be sufficient to meet residents’ needs.” Specific minimum staffing ratio requirements vary based on the number of residents. For example, a total of 375 staff hours would be required each week for a community with 46–55 residents, or about nine full-time staff members and one part-time staff member. ^[12]National Center for Assisted Living. Assisted Living State Regulatory Review 2022 Edition. Found on the internet at https://www.ahcancal.org/Assisted-Living/Policy/Documents/2022_reg_review.pdf

Minimum staffing ratios are helpful in safeguarding the care of assisted living residents, but you should still ask the communities you tour about their staff-to-resident ratio. A report by the Long Term Care Community Coalition recommended a ratio of at least one staff member to every 15 residents in a multi-floor facility. ^[14]Long Term Care Community Coalition. Assisted Living: Promising Policies and Practices for Improving Resident Health, Quality of Life, and Safety. Found on the internet at ​​https://nursinghome411.org/ltccc-report-assisted-living-promising-policies-and-practices/

Reporting and preventing elder abuse in Jacksonville

Though it’s difficult to think about, caregivers must recognize the risks of elder abuse occurring in assisted living facilities. Elder abuse can take the form of caregiver neglect, financial fraud and exploitation, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, or physical abuse. If you believe elder abuse is occurring in a Jacksonville assisted living community, make an elder abuse report.

To help prevent abuse or neglect in Jacksonville assisted living communities, familiarize yourself with Florida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

Bottom line

Located in northeastern Florida, the coastal city of Jacksonville offers retirees sunshine, ocean views, and no state income tax, allowing tax-free withdrawals from pensions and retirement accounts.

While the cost of assisted living in Jacksonville is slightly higher than the national average, the cost of living in Florida is lower than the cost of living in many other parts of the country.

Assisted living facilities are regulated on a state level, so the state-designated scope of care in Florida assisted living communities applies to all assisted living residences in Jacksonville. The Florida scope of care includes help with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, as well as social activities and as-needed nursing care. In general, an assisted living community in Florida must have the ability to care for residents qualifying for acceptance to the community.

No senior living option is one-size-fits-all. When visiting Jacksonville assisted living communities, ask lots of questions of both administrators and staff, and don’t forget to ask residents about their experiences. The community you choose should be a good fit for your personal needs and preferences.

Have questions about this article? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.

Sources

1. United States Census Bureau. Quick Facts Jacksonville City, Florida. Found on the internet at https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/jacksonvillecityflorida/AGE775222#AGE775222
2. Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Florida Healthfinder. lp;oFound on the internet at https://quality.healthfinder.fl.gov/facilitylocator/facloc.aspx
3. Cost of Care Survey. Genworth. Found on the internet at ​​https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care
4. National Center for Assisted Living. Florida Fast Facts State Profile for Assisted Living. Found on the internet at https://www.ahcancal.org/Assisted-Living/Facts-and-Figures/Documents/State%20Facts/Florida-AL.pdf
5. Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-term Care Program. Found on the internet at https://ahca.myflorida.com/medicaid/statewide-medicaid-managed-care/long-term-care-program
6. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA benefits for service members. Found on the internet at https://www.va.gov/service-member-benefits/
7. Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. State Veterans’ Homes. Found on the internet at https://floridavets.org/locations/state-veterans-nursing-homes/
8. Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. What is a Long-Term Care Ombudsman? Found on the internet at https://ombudsman.elderaffairs.org/
9. Brookdale Senior Living. How Much Does Independent Living Cost? Found on the internet at https://www.brookdale.com/en/our-services/independent-living/independent-living-costs.html
10. Dementia Care Central. Alzheimer’s / Dementia Care Costs: Home Care, Adult Day Care, Assisted Living & Nursing Homes. February 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.dementiacarecentral.com/assisted-living-home-care-costs//
11. Resources for Consumers. National Center for Assisted Living. Found on the internet at https://www.ahcancal.org/Assisted-Living/Consumer-Resources/Pages/default.aspx
12. National Center for Assisted Living. Assisted Living State Regulatory Review 2022 Edition. Found on the internet at https://www.ahcancal.org/Assisted-Living/Policy/Documents/2022_reg_review.pdf
13. Long Term Care Community Coalition. Assisted Living Fact Sheet: Staffing Ratios. Found on the internet at https://nursinghome411.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/LTCCC-Assisted-Living-Fact-Sheet-Safe-Staffing.pdf
14. Long Term Care Community Coalition. Assisted Living: Promising Policies and Practices for Improving Resident Health, Quality of Life, and Safety. Found on the internet at ​​https://nursinghome411.org/ltccc-report-assisted-living-promising-policies-and-practices/

Kate Van Dis Author

Kate Van Dis is a health writer in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She has written for various audiences on health & wellness, education, and aging. Her current focus is on assisted living, home care, and other extra-care housing options for older adults.

Christopher Norman Medical Reviewer

Christopher Norman is a Board-Certified Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and Holistic Nurse. As a nurse’s aide, registered nurse and now nurse practitioner, he has loved working with older adults since 2004.

Kathleen Cameron Reviewer

Kathleen Cameron, BSPharm, MPH, has more than 25 years of experience in the health care field as a pharmacist, researcher, and program director focusing on falls prevention, geriatric pharmacotherapy, mental health, long-term services and supports, and caregiving. Cameron is Senior Director of the NCOA Center for Healthy Aging, where she provides subject matter expertise on health care programmatic and policy related issues and oversees the Modernizing Senior Center Resource Center.