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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 costs an average of $3,250 per month in Fort Lauderdale, where retirees can choose between 74 assisted living communities. Prices vary based on location and the specific accommodations, amenities and services offered.
Note: Data wasn’t available for Fort Lauderdale, so cost data for the nearest city, Miami, was used instead.
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 >
According to Genworth Financial’s 2019 Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Fort Lauderdale pay an average of $3,250 per month for assisted living. This is about $800 less than the U.S. median and $250 less than the statewide average. Costs in the surrounding states are comparable or higher. Neighboring Alabama shares Fort Lauderdale’s average cost, while the rate is higher in Georgia, at $3,335. In South Carolina, the amount paid is on par with Florida’s average of $3,500. Seniors in Tennessee pay the most, at $3,900 per month.
Assisted living costs vary greatly across Florida, and this is evidenced in communities on the Atlantic side of the state. Fort Lauderdale has the lowest cost at $3,250, followed by Sebastian at $3,375. Seniors in Port St. Lucie pay an average of $3,500, while those in Palm Bay pay $3,800. The cost is over $1,000 higher in Jacksonville ($4,263) and increases slightly to $4,274 in Orlando. Deltona has the highest rate, with an average cost of $4,500 per month.
Florida Medicaid helps eligible Fort Lauderdale residents aged 65 and older cover the cost of assisted living through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program. Seniors must require a nursing home level of care and meet the Medicaid program’s income and asset criteria to qualify.
Learn more about the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program, including the eligibility requirements and application process, on our Assisted Living in Florida page.
| 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. |
Fort Lauderdale assisted living facilities are licensed by the Florida Bureau of Health Facility Regulation. The Bureau inspects long-term care facilities to ensure compliance with state laws and regulations governing all facets of their operation. To learn more about these requirements, visit our Assisted Living in Florida page.