As Florida’s most populous city, Jacksonville is a vibrant urban hub that’s home to just over 900,000 residents, of which about 13% are aged 65 or older. The climate here is milder than many other cities in Florida, with temperatures rarely dipping below freezing during the winter or rising about 95 degrees during the long, hot summers. There’s plenty of activities and attractions for seniors in the city, including visiting the vibrant Riverwalk district that’s filled with unique shops, galleries and restaurants.
The average monthly cost of assisted living in Jacksonville is $4,263, although each facility is free to set its own price, which may be higher or lower than the city average.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
At an average monthly cost of $4,263, assisted living care in Jacksonville costs $763 more than the statewide average of $3,500. Assisted living costs in Jacksonville are also higher than the national average of $4,051. Prices are lower in neighboring Georgia at $3,335, Alabama at $3,250, and South Carolina at $3,500 per month.
Assisted living costs throughout Florida range from $2,836 in Sebring to $5,375 in The Villages. East of Jacksonville in the state capital, Tallahassee, assisted living costs an average of $4,775 per month, while just southwest of Jacksonville, assisted living averages $3,463 per month in Gainesville. Prices tend to be higher along the Gulf coast in cities such as Panama City ($4,600), Cape Coral ($4,000) and Naples ($4,195), while costs are lower along the east coast in Sebastian ($3,375) and Miami ($3,250).
Jacksonville seniors who need help covering their long-term care costs may be eligible for enrollment in the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-term Care Program. This Florida Medicaid nursing home diversion program helps fragile seniors avoid institutionalization by funding long-term care supports in community-based settings such as assisted living. Under the SMMC LTC, eligible seniors may be provided with skilled nursing services, adult day health programming and personal care services within an assisted living facility. Jacksonville seniors may also qualify the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, a comprehensive managed care program for seniors aged 55 and older who meet the criteria for nursing home placement. Jacksonville PACE services include all Medicaid-covered health care services as well as access to the PACE Place, a multipurpose day center staffed by physicians, nurses, recreational therapists and volunteers.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Florida page.
Contact | Description | |
ElderSource – Area Agency on Aging and Disability Resource Center of Northeast Florida | (888) 242-4464 | ElderSource is the Area Agency on Aging for Jacksonville and the surrounding area. Seniors and their caregivers can call ElderSource to learn about local, state and federal resources, including financial aid programs, support groups, wellness workshops and long-term care options. |
City of Jacksonville Military Affairs and Veterans Department | (904) 255-5550 | The Military Affairs and Veterans Department provides veterans, their dependents and survivors with free, up-to-date information on local, state and federal programs, benefits and services. Certified County Veteran Service Offices function as attorneys-in-fact for veterans and their family members, providing assistance with VA claims and appeals and advocating for claimants throughout the application process. |
City of Jacksonville Senior Centers | (904) 630-2489 | The City of Jacksonville operates 20 Senior Centers for residents aged 60 and older. While the services and programs vary with each center, all locations offer a variety of weekly programs, workshops and classes focused on promoting health and social connection for older adults. Hot, low-cost midday meals are provided at 18 of the 20 centers, and free transportation is available to and from all 20 centers Monday through Friday. |
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid – Elder Law | (904) 356-8371 | Jackson Area Legal Aid is a nonprofit law firm that provides low-income seniors with access to free and low-cost legal information and representation. JALA operates an Elder Law program that helps seniors prepare advanced health care directives, report elder abuse and manage legal issues related to health care coverage. |
Jacksonville Transportation Authority – Paratransit Services | (904) 265-6001 | Jacksonville residents who require barrier-free, door-to-door transportation within the city limits can register for Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s paratransit services, Connexion and Connexion Plus. These two programs are open to adults with disabilities who can’t use fixed-route transit services due to disability. JTA also offers travel training for seniors who want to learn how to use the ADA-accessible fixed route system, and all ADA-approved paratransit customers ride free on JTA fixed-route buses. |
Assisted living facilities in Jacksonville are regulated by state laws regarding medication administration, health and safety standards, staffing and the type of residents that can be admitted and retained. Visit our Assisted Living in Florida page for more information about these laws.