Gulf Breeze is a quiet city in the northwestern region of Florida. It has a little over 6,300 residents and a large senior community that accounts for over a quarter of the population. While the city’s overall cost of living is slightly higher than the state average, Florida’s lack of state income taxes may help older adults afford local long-term care services.
Seniors who need help with some daily living activities but want to remain as active and independent as possible may benefit from assisted living. This long-term care option offers residential services, daily meals and snacks, transportation and recreational activities. Some facilities are pet-friendly and many feature upscale amenities such as swimming pools and full-service beauty salons. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Gulf Breeze pay $4,323 per month for care, which is a little high compared to other Florida cities but competitive compared to cities nationwide.
This guide provides more details on long-term care costs in Gulf Breeze and options you may have for paying for services. It also lists some resources that may help you find the right long-term care option for your needs.
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.
Assisted living residents in Gulf Breeze pay an estimated $4,323 per month for care.
In Gulf Breeze, seniors pay $4,323 per month for assisted living. This is a little higher than the statewide rate of $4,000, but it’s competitive compared to the national average of $4,500.
Seniors in Gulf Breeze pay $4,323 for residential care. This is about $2,000 more than care costs in Gainesville, where fees are the lowest surveyed in the state at $2,350. In Deltona, assisted living residents pay $3,975, and in North Port, costs are a little higher at $4,145. Palm Bay residents pay $4,461 for assisted living, and in The Villages, rates average $5,208. Naples is one of the most expensive places in Florida for care, surpassing Gulf Breeze’s average at $5,300.
Note: Data for Gulf Breeze was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Pensacola, was used instead.
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.
Resource | Contact | Service |
Gulf Breeze Senior Center | (850) 565-9647 | The Gulf Breeze Senior Center provides engaging activities for those aged 55 and over. At this center, you can access volunteer opportunities and participate in fitness classes, table games, a walking club and educational seminars. The center is home to the Senior Moments Cafe, which is always open and provides complimentary beverages. |
Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging | (866) 531-8011 | The Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging is a private nonprofit agency that serves older adults in Gulf Breeze and the surrounding region. It administers information and referrals to help older adults connect with community-based services, such as durable medical equipment loans, prescription drug assistance and long-term care options counseling. It also provides direct services to support seniors’ independence and quality of life, including respite services, health promotion programs and health insurance options counseling. |
Veterans Services | (850) 981-7110 | The local Veterans Services Office supports older veterans in Gulf Breeze by helping them apply for state and federal benefits, including benefits that may help pay for assisted living. Its staff can screen individuals for Aid and Attendance and help them compile supporting documents for their claims. The office can also provide referrals for community-based services and determine whether individuals are eligible for placement in the state’s VA assisted living facility, which may be a cost-effective alternative to private assisted living. |
RSVP of Santa Rosa County | (850) 983-5220 | The local RSVP chapter provides volunteer opportunities for Gulf Breeze residents aged 55 and over. Volunteers receive free placement assistance to find the activities that fit their interests, schedules and abilities, as well as on-the-job training. Some volunteer opportunities that may be available include helping veterans access community-based services, tutoring and mentoring local youth and providing administrative support to nonprofit organizations in the Gulf Breeze region. |
Elder Helpline | (800) 963-5337 | The Elder Helpline is a service of the Department of Elder Affairs. It provides over-the-phone benefits counseling and assistance with accessing community-based programs for older adults in Gulf Breeze and the rest of Florida. Through this helpline, you can connect with advocacy services and speak with a health insurance options counselor who can help you understand your Medicare benefits and options. |
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (888) 831-0404 | The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for assisted living residents in Gulf Breeze and the rest of the state. Seniors can call the program’s toll-free line for personalized help with understanding their rights and getting assistance with issues such as insufficient or excessive services or problems with billing. The ombudsman can also field and investigate complaints regarding abuse, neglect or exploitation. |
2-1-1 Northwest Florida | 2-1-1 | 2-1-1 Northwest Florida is a free phone-based information and referral service available to everyone in the Gulf Breeze region. It’s staffed with trained specialists who can help you find resources in the community, including low-cost medical care and health screenings, durable medical equipment loans and transportation. The service is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Gulf Breeze 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.