Talk to a local advisor for free
Fort Lauderdale is the quintessential South Florida oceanfront community, offering 7 miles of white sand beaches and close proximity to big-city amenities in nearby Miami. The city’s population of 182,000 includes approximately 32,000 individuals aged 65 and older. Seniors living in Fort Lauderdale enjoy a tropical climate and budget-stretching benefits, including significant savings on long-term care, below-average health care costs and no state income tax. Foodies, history buffs and cultural aficionados can explore the downtown Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District, while outdoor enthusiasts can swim, fish and picnic at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park or practice their swing at the public course in Oswald Park.
Assisted living facilities provide support to people who can’t live independently. According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, you can expect to pay $4,385 per month for an assisted living community in Fort Lauderdale. The city is more affordable than the national average ($4,500) but more expensive than Florida’s typical cost ($4,000).
Our guide will compare costs and explain your options so you can make an informed decision. We’ll also give an overview of state laws and local resources to help you understand assisted living in Fort Lauderdale.
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.
Fort Lauderdale shares assisted living costs with the broader Miami area. There, it costs an average of $4,385 per month.
Assisted living in Fort Lauderdale costs less than the national average of $4,500. However, prices in the city are higher than Florida’s typical cost of $4,000, which is about 10% less than in Fort Lauderdale.
Assisted living costs in Fort Lauderdale sit near the middle of the pack when compared to other places in Florida. Three cities are less expensive: Gainesville, Tampa and Orlando. Gainesville is the cheapest, at $2,350 per month, while Orlando is closest to Fort Lauderdale’s price at $4,000 per month. Four cities are more costly than Fort Lauderdale, including the state’s capital, Tallahassee. Naples is the most expensive, at $5,300 per month, or about 21% more than Fort Lauderdale. Tampa costs about $2,000 less than Naples, while Panama City is $696 more expensive than Fort Lauderdale.
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 | |
| City of Fort Lauderdale Club 55+ | (954) 828-7275 | The Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation Department administers the Club 55+ Program at 12 parks throughout the city. The program offers a wide range of age-appropriate activities for older adults. Eligible residents can qualify for a reduced annual membership fee to enjoy art and golf lessons; board games; yoga, tennis, Zumba and line dancing classes; group outings and monthly special events. |
| Broward County Transit TOPS Program | (954) 357-8400 | Broward County Transit’s Transportation Options program provides shared-ride paratransit services for Fort Lauderdale seniors who cannot use fixed-route buses due to functional disability. Individuals who meet the program’s criteria and have income at or below 225% of the federal poverty level may qualify for the Transportation Disadvantaged Program, which provides rides at no charge for health care, shopping, social and other activities. |
| Aging and Disability Resource Center of Broward County | (954) 745-9779 | The Area Agency on Aging of Broward County operates the Aging and Disability Resource Center, which connects Fort Lauderdale residents aged 60 and older with aging-related programs and services. With a single phone call to the ADRC helpline, seniors can access personalized counseling about health insurance and long-term care, guidance on elder rights, information about health and wellness programs and referrals to county, state and federal resources that can help cover the cost of assisted living services. |
| Broward County Veterans Services | (954) 357-6622 | Experienced Veterans Services Officers at the Broward County Veterans Services office in Fort Lauderdale are available to help senior veterans learn about and apply for service-related benefits. VSOs can determine seniors’ eligibility and assist with filing applications for disability compensation, VA pensions and supplemental monthly benefits through the Aid and Attendance and Housebound Allowance programs. |
| Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (954) 597-2266 | Trained volunteers with the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman district office in Tamarac make regular visits to check conditions in Fort Lauderdale assisted living communities and advise residents about their rights under state and federal laws. Ombudsmen also investigate complaints and act as resident advocates to get issues resolved. |
| Senior Citizen Law Project | (954) 765-8955 | Fort Lauderdale residents aged 60 and older may be eligible for free legal assistance through the Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida’s Senior Citizen Law Project. This nonprofit organization provides help with civil legal matters related to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and other public benefits, debt collection, consumer issues and financial exploitation. |
| Florida Department of Elder Affairs SHINE Program | (800) 963-5337 | Volunteers with the DOEA’s SHINE program offer free counseling to Fort Lauderdale seniors about Medicare, including eligibility, enrollment, coverage issues and filing appeals. SHINE volunteers can also help seniors access programs to defray the cost of Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. Assistance is available over the phone or in person at the program’s two counseling sites in Fort Lauderdale. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Fort Lauderdale 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.
