Lakeland is a city in central Florida that got its name from the 38 lakes within the city limits, including Lake Morton, Lake Parker and Lake Mirror. It has a population of approximately 112,000 people, with nearly 22% aged 65 and older. There are plenty of things to see and do, including long walks in Hollis Garden, taking in a baseball game at the Joker Merchant Stadium or taking a tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Museum at Florida Southern College.
For seniors, assisted living facilities offer a middle ground between nursing homes and aging at home. By surrounding residents with supportive caregivers and peers, assisted living facilities help seniors with daily needs and opportunities to socialize. According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, in Lakeland, the average monthly assisted living rate is $3,300, a figure lower than the averages of Florida, the nation and many of Lakeland’s regional neighbors.
Lakeland’s cost of assisted living is compared to that of neighboring cities, and local senior resources and funding options for elder care are also discussed.
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 >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Florida. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
Seniors in Lakeland pay $3,300 per month for assisted living services.
With its average monthly assisted living cost of $3,300, Lakeland stands out as an affordable option. Florida’s statewide average of $4,000 is $700 higher, and the national average of $4,500 is $1,200 higher.
Lakeland is also a competitive choice compared to neighboring cities. It is slightly more affordable than Sebastian, Tampa and Punta Gorda, which share an average assisted living cost of $3,350 per month. Sebring’s average fee is not far off from those, coming in at $3,436. However, prices are higher in Orlando. There, the average assisted living community charges $4,000. North Port’s median rate is $4,145, exceeding Lakeland’s by $845. Seniors in Palm Bay pay an even higher average fee of $4,461. Finally, in The Villages, the average assisted living resident pays $5,208, representing a $1,908 jump over Lakeland’s typical rate.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Florida.
Contact | Description | |
Lakeland Activity Center for Seniors | (863) 687-2988 | Designed to meet the needs of individuals aged 55 and older, the Lakeland Activity Center provides a range of activities in a safe environment. Activities include card games, arts and crafts, exercise classes, musical entertainment, computer classes and bingo twice a week. Day trips are also planned on a regular basis. |
Lakeland Vet Center | (863-284-0841 | The Lakeland VA Center provides medical care and other essential services to those who have served in the military and their families. The center also helps veterans sign up for school or training, obtain home loans, insurance and other compensation. The VA also connects families with national cemeteries and burial services. |
Polk County Area Agency on Aging | (813) 740-3888 | The Area Agency on Aging helps connect seniors with the available resources throughout the area. These resources may include information about state and federal benefits, long-term care centers and assistance navigating the insurance options. |
Polk County Elder Helpline | (800) 336-2226 | The Elder Helpline provides information to seniors within the county on available services and scheduled activities, including information about the local food program, health care, federal programs, housing and nutrition. |
Long-Term Care Ombudsman | (850) 414-2000 | The Florida Long-Term Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) is a statewide program that serves as an advocate for seniors who live in long-term care facilities. The program investigates problems and issues that arise in facilities and helps resolve complaints. The program also conducts annual assessments of long-term facilities within the network. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Lakeland area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.