When we imagine retirement living in Florida, many of us quite rightly dream of basking in the sunshine and savoring a more relaxed pace of life. But, the reality of the cost of senior living in 2024 can be a touch less warm and fuzzy. Fear not, because in Florida, the old and tired senior “home” mentality simply doesn’t exist. As the leading retirement destination, Florida has long since ripped up the rule book on senior living! Today, the opportunities are as diverse as Floridians themselves, offering a myriad of vibrant lifestyle options and price points to explore!

In the Sunshine State, there’s no room for a one-dimensional approach to senior living. Senior living costs hinge on factors as unique as your fingerprints—location, community type, floor plan, design, technology, services, and care offerings. Truth be told, the journey to understanding senior living in Florida starts with exploring the gamut of care options and contracts that senior living communities offer.

Understanding Levels of Care in Senior Living

To understand the cost of senior living in 2024, you must first understand what levels of care are offered in senior living. Senior living communities define these levels according to the amount of assistance a person will require as they age.

Essentially, senior living communities have three categories of care:

• Fully Independent – For seniors who can handle daily chore and activities without any support or assistance. Independent seniors can qualify for independent living.
• Moderate Assistance – A helping hand for those who require help with daily activities, like bathing and dressing. This group typically qualifies for assisted living.
• Complete Assistance – Seniors in this category require a caregiver for most daily tasks. Housing options here are typically skilled nursing facilities.

Independent living is most popular among seniors who prefer a maintenance-free lifestyle, unencumbered by the responsibilities of homeownership, yet don’t require any health care services. Assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities are designed for older adults who require higher levels of support.

For those who are not sure which category they fit into, a home safety and wellness assessment can be requested by a senior care community and conducted in the comfort of the family home. The goal is to help determine which care level and type of community is best suited to the individual.

Understanding The Costs Behind Senior Living

So, what does this have to do with pricing? In short, the “sticker price” of senior living in Florida invariably falls on a spectrum. That’s because there are a lot of factors that go into pricing independent living and assisted living.

Independent living doesn’t include professional care or health services, so it generally costs less than assisted living. However, some upscale independent living communities far exceed what could be deemed “affordable” due to the cost of providing luxury amenities.

Factors like structure, operational costs, staff salaries, taxes, and insurance also influence the price of senior living. New communities are often priced higher due to the current high costs of construction and technology. Home sharing or roommate arrangements can make senior living more affordable.

In Florida, new and innovative senior living models and pricing structures are growing faster than Florida oranges. It all boils (or peels in our case) down to the kind of life you seek and which community type best meets your financial needs.

Independent Living Contracts and Costs

As you explore the cost of senior living, pay attention to the various contract types at independent living communities and the tiered costs at assisted living communities, where enhanced services will naturally increase the price.

In Florida, there are at least three independent living contracts to choose from. These include:

• Entrance Fee or Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) – A large, upfront fee is paid upon moving in as well as a monthly service fee for rent, meals, and other services. Independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing are all offered under one roof (or campus) and continuing care levels are often locked in at a discounted rate.
• Independent Living Communities – With no large, upfront fee, seniors typically pay a modest community fee to move in and a monthly service fee (or rent), which includes your apartment, meals, and services, as well as access to community amenities, activities, life enrichment programming, and more.
• Senior or 55+ Apartments – These age-restricted communities offer private residents or apartments for sale or rent, but typically charge a monthly HOA fee for landscaping and community amenities. Health care is typically not part of the package.

In the diverse Florida landscape of senior living, monthly costs span from $2,000 on the low end to a more opulent $10,000 or more at the ultra-luxury independent living communities.

Navigating so many senior housing options might seem like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle, but each piece holds its unique allure and advantages. In the end, the optimal solution weaves together the cost, comfort, and lifestyle that best meet your personal needs and preferences.

Assisted Living Costs and Considerations

As you’d expect, senior living costs are higher at communities that include health care services.

With licensing requirements varying by state, both small group homes and large multi-service facilities qualify as an “assisted living facility.” However, be prepared for an even wider spectrum in pricing due to disparities in licensure and facility types.

A rainbow of payment structures is on offer here. Floridians choose from convenient all-inclusive models in assisted living to tiered pricing structures, where fees are decided by required levels of care or services. The a la carte model is true to its name; you pay only for the services you need.

Unequivocally, the all-inclusive model is the Floridian favorite. They bundle rent and essential services into a flat, single monthly expense, eliminating the need to sieve through a smorgasbord of services.

Different types of assisted living contracts or models include:

• All-inclusive model – Rent, meals, care, and other services are included in one monthly fee. Sometimes all-inclusive rental models charge extra for higher levels of care.
• Levels of care model – Costs are based on the level of care needed and most communities will offer 3-4 service group tiers.
• Fee for service model – You’re charged a flat monthly fee for rent and meals, with additional services billed separately. Also known asà la carte

In Florida, assisted living apartments start around $3,000 a month on the low end of the spectrum and can approach $10,000 or more at luxury communities.

A Silver Living in The Sunshine State

The waves of new residents flocking to Florida have contributed to a rise in the cost of living. But here’s the silver lining: Florida remains a comparatively affordable place to retire.

How affordable? According to The Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the estimated median monthly cost of assisted living in Florida for 2024 is $4,371, falling below the national average of $4,917. Plus, Florida remains one of the more affordable retirement destinations, boasting a middle of the road cost point for long-term care that remains far below most of the Northeast United States.

If you are comparing costs for various types of senior living options, The Genworth Cost of Care Tool can help you calculate costs by zip code. Using this tool, we found Florida’s median monthly cost for assisted living falls below Pennsylvania at $4,480 and Virginia at $5,737, but nowhere near New Hampshire at $6,614 or New Jersey at $7,097.

All things considered, Florida is a great value for retirees looking for affordable senior living.

How To Pay For Assisted Living in Florida

Whether you live in Florida or New England, paying for assisted living can still be a concern. Relief comes in knowing that most people use an array of resources, including pensions, life insurance, savings, and real estate.

While Medicare does not cover the cost of assisted living, it does provide benefits for short-term stays in Medicare-certified skilled nursing facilities for qualifying individuals. Keep in mind, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities offer different levels of care.

To fund senior living, selling one’s home is a popular choice, especially with Florida’s real estate values skyrocketing in recent years.

The top financial resources seniors use to pay for senior living include:

• Social security benefits
• Pensions
• Long-term care insurance
• Financial assets such as IRAs, 401Ks, CDs
• Personal savings
• Life insurance policies or life settlements
• Veterans benefits such as the US Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension
• Real estate funds
• Co-housing or home shares

How you decide to fund senior living is a personal decision. Always consult your tax advisor while making financial decisions related to senior living. They can help you determine which resources make the most financial sense for you and your family.

Finding Value Despite the Cost of Senior Living

No matter the cost or how you decide to pay for it, the most valuable aspect of senior living lies in the vibrant lifestyle it offers. Communities like Sonata Senior Living serve up an endless array of life enriching activities that breathe life and vigor into our retirement years. Along with access to essential health care services, seniors thrive in a safe and supportive environment while discovering new interests, hobbies, and friendships.

Here is a snapshot of the life-enhancing opportunities included in the cost of senior living:

• Life enrichment classes
• Workshops and seminars, i.e. lifelong learning
• Arts and crafts
• Fitness classes
• Social activities
• Special events and outings
• Entertainment
• Friendship groups or clubs, i.e. book or gardening clubs
• Spiritual events

Deciding on a senior living community shouldn’t be a game of numbers alone. Placing all your focus on price may shadow the inherent value of senior living and peace of mind it affords so many families. For this reason, it’s important to visit communities in person to experience what senior living can truly offer.

Touring senior living communities is a wonderful way to visualize yourself engaged in the enriching experiences that await you in retirement. Don’t forget to bring along these 15 important questions you should ask on a community tour.

To learn how affordable senior living can be at Sonata Senior Living, schedule a visit to a community near you.