Assisted Living Options in Central Florida

Choosing an assisted living facility for yourself or a loved one involves weighing comfort, care quality, activities, and costs. This guide covers some of Central Florida's assisted living options to help you evaluate them.

• Why choose assisted living in Central Florida?
• Top 12 assisted living facilities in Central Florida
  • 1. Gentry Park, Orlando
  • 2. Encore at Avalon Park, Orlando
  • 3. Brookdale Conway, South Orlando
  • 4. The Bridge at Orlando
  • 5. Excellence Senior Living, Orlando
  • 6. Allegro of Winter Park
  • 7. Strive at Fern Park, Orlando
  • 8. Alabama Oaks, Winter Park
  • 9. The Rose Garden of Orlando
  • 10. Somerby Lake Nona, Orlando
  • 11. Oakmonte Village, Orlando
  • Watermark of Vistawilla in Winter Springs offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care. As residents' needs change, they can stay in place rather than move to a new facility. The community includes amenities and activities designed around what residents actually want to do.
• Financial assistance for assisted living in Central Florida
  • Medicaid managed care programs
  • Veterans aid
  • Long-term care insurance
  • Florida Department of Elder Affairs programs
  • Life insurance policy conversions
  • Private pay and personal savings
  • Housing assistance

• Important resources

• Concluding remarks

Central Florida draws retirees because of its warm winters, cultural attractions, and healthcare options. The region has multiple senior living communities, so you can compare facilities and find one that fits your needs. Healthcare here includes specialists in senior care.

Seniors make up over 15% of Central Florida's population, a share expected to grow. The area has year-round warm weather, theme parks and entertainment, and natural preserves. Assisted living costs average around $3,500 per month, though this varies by facility and doesn't include care charges.

Top 12 assisted living facilities in Central Florida

1. Gentry Park, Orlando

Gentry Park sits on Orlando's east side and offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care in a three-story building. It holds an Extended Congregate Care (ECC) license, which means it can care for residents with higher care needs. The facility has studio and one-bedroom apartments. The chef previously worked at Disney.

2. Encore at Avalon Park, Orlando

Encore at Avalon Park is a three-story facility in Avalon Park with personalized care and an ECC license, so residents can remain there as needs increase. The memory program invites local middle school students to visit regularly.

3. Brookdale Conway, South Orlando

Brookdale Conway is near Orlando International Airport and provides non-medical care in a home-like setting. It has a salon, game room, library, restaurant-style dining, and regular social activities.

4. The Bridge at Orlando

The Bridge provides 24-hour care in a home-like setting, with flexible meal options and an active wellness program.

5. Excellence Senior Living, Orlando

Excellence Senior Living helps residents manage daily tasks and offers a range of support services. The activities director arranges entertainment such as visits from local wildlife refuges and performances.

6. Allegro of Winter Park

Allegro in Winter Park has over 40 years of experience. Amenities include a resort-style pool, spa, sauna, library, salon, and fine dining.

7. Strive at Fern Park, Orlando

Strive at Fern Park has several neighborhoods, each with a different theme. Residents can choose studio or one-bedroom apartments.

8. Alabama Oaks, Winter Park

Alabama Oaks offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care in a residential setting in the heart of Winter Park.

9. The Rose Garden of Orlando

The Rose Garden is south of the Florida Mall and has been recently refurbished. It offers assisted living with a 1960s aesthetic, some of the largest apartments in East Orlando, and regular activities.

10. Somerby Lake Nona, Orlando

Somerby Lake Nona hires Certified Dementia Practitioners as employees, providing specialized support for residents with dementia.

11. Oakmonte Village, Orlando

Oakmonte Village near Casselberry offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care. It has a fitness center with on-site instructors and organizes regular outings.

12. Watermark of Vistawilla, Winter Springs

Watermark of Vistawilla is minutes from downtown Orlando and provides assisted living and memory care. The facility has a salon, wine bar, resort-style pool, and spa.

Financial assistance for assisted living in Central Florida

Assisted living in Central Florida can be expensive. Several financial assistance programs exist to help cover costs. Knowing your options is the first step in planning affordably.

Medicaid managed care programs

In Florida, Medicaid Managed Care can cover assisted living costs for eligible seniors. The Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program covers services like personal care, nursing, and medication administration in assisted living facilities. Not all facilities accept Medicaid, so check directly with each one.

Veterans aid

Veterans and their spouses may qualify for the Aid and Attendance benefit, which adds to a monthly pension. The application process is lengthy and eligibility is strict, so work with a Veterans Affairs officer through the process.

Long-term care insurance

If you have a long-term care insurance policy, review it carefully to understand what it covers, what limitations apply, and whether any waiting periods exist before benefits kick in.

Florida Department of Elder Affairs programs

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs offers financial assistance to eligible seniors in assisted living facilities, including the Optional State Supplementation (OSS) program.

Life insurance policy conversions

You may be able to convert a life insurance policy into long-term care benefits. This can help if you need money quickly. Talk with a financial advisor about the trade-offs.

Private pay and personal savings

If you have personal savings, retirement accounts, or income from assets, you can use these to pay for assisted living. A financial planner can help you structure this approach for long-term sustainability.

Housing assistance

Some non-profit organizations and housing agencies in Central Florida offer affordable housing options. Some have partnerships with assisted living facilities to reduce costs for eligible seniors.

Important resources

• Florida Medicaid – Information on Medicaid services in Florida.
• Veterans Affairs – Detailed information on veteran's benefits, including the Aid and Attendance benefit.
• Florida Department of Elder Affairs – Information on state programs and services for seniors.
• The National Council on Aging offers resources about financial assistance for seniors.

Consult with a financial planner or advisor familiar with senior care to identify the best options for your situation.

Concluding remarks

When choosing an assisted living facility, evaluate care quality, cost, location, and amenities. Central Florida's warm climate, varied activities, and healthcare options give you multiple facilities to consider. Use this guide to narrow down options that meet your needs.