The diverse and vibrant Tampa, Florida, is a popular destination for retirees from all around the country. Many people from the eastern U.S. and across the Midwest retire in Tampa every year. These out-of-towners come to Tampa looking for warm weather, beaches, and an escape from a state income tax. And, eventually, many of these retirees will need assisted living. Assisted living is residential, long-term senior care that provides meals, activities, and assistance with daily activities — tasks that may become challenging with aging, like bathing and taking medications.
Because of the sustained interest in Tampa as a retirement haven since the 1960s, there are plenty of assisted living options. Within a 10-mile radius of Tampa city center, A Place for Mom partners with 27 assisted living communities. In this guide, we introduce you to assisted living communities in Tampa with top-rated care, meals and dining services, amenities, and more. We’ll also outline costs and review common questions about Medicaid, Medicare, veterans benefits, and helpful demographic information about senior living in Tampa, Florida.
Find Assisted Living Communities Near Tampa, FL
The diverse and vibrant Tampa, Florida, is a popular destination for retirees from all around the country. Many people from the eastern U.S. and across the Midwest retire in Tampa every year. These out-of-towners come to Tampa looking for warm weather, beaches, and an escape from a state income tax. And, eventually, many of these retirees will need assisted living. Assisted living is residential, long-term senior care that provides meals, activities, and assistance with daily activities — tasks that may become challenging with aging, like bathing and taking medications.Read more
Because of the sustained interest in Tampa as a retirement haven since the 1960s, there are plenty of assisted living options. Within a 10-mile radius of Tampa city center, A Place for Mom partners with 27 assisted living communities. In this guide, we introduce you to assisted living communities in Tampa with top-rated care, meals and dining services, amenities, and more. We’ll also outline costs and review common questions about Medicaid, Medicare, veterans benefits, and helpful demographic information about senior living in Tampa, Florida.
Tampa Assisted Living Facilities | 868 Reviews
We love Legacy at Highwood Preserve. From the initial tour we felt right at home and welcomed. They were able to answer all our questions and more giving us great insight and comfort in this big life...
The entire staff is courteous and helpful, housekeeping is top notch, always personable with the residents. Everything is always clean, I have yet to have an issue. The move in was seamless, no issues and...
My person is in assisted living. She enjoys Bingo, chair aerobics (and water aerobics in the pool in summer!). There is a beautiful theatre where movies/TV is shown and word games are played. There are happy...
[name removed] , the Community Relations Director, has been very responsive and helpful. The other residents I meet seem happy. Dad participates in many of the community activities and has made a lot of new...
They're the only memory care facility I would recommend in Tampa. Absolutely wonderful place. A lot of the staff had been there a long time. They were employees of the facility not some external agency. The...
Atrium Gardens is a family owned facility that takes up strong ties to their patients and keeps their patients' needs in mind. I think they do the best they can to keep their residents engaged. DĂ©cor in...
They've been great. Don't hesitate to put your loved one here. The people I deal with the most have been wonderful. Not only are they concerned about his safety and quality of life, but they're concerned...
My mother has been at Inspired Living for over 4 years and it’s the best place for her. The facilities and grounds are perfect for her. She has her own room but able to interact with everyone. The people...
Yes, I will be happy to. We had a fantastic experience with the Sodalis Tampa community. I did want to share that my mother-in-law passed away [date removed] night, but Sodalis has remained wonderful. We...
The facility is beautiful. The staff is always very warm and friendly. The food is good. There are activities to do, very nice around the holidays. Easy to communicate, nurse checks in regularly. [Name...
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My loved one was previously a resident at The Colonnade at Carrollwood and her experience at this facility was overall good. From my initial visit there, it was a warm family atmosphere and the residents...
Tessera is all fives. They have been great!!! Mom desperately needed 24 hour a day care and Tessera has provided that. Cost is only about 20% of what it would have been in her home.
Superior is excellent! The price was lower than most of the places that we researched. And the staff was amazing, very caring and friendly. Would definitely recommend!
My mother-in-law had a difficult time adjusting and just wanted to go back home. But because of the wonderful care of the staff, the quality of the meals and entire environment, she is now doing well. She...
Chapman Manor is a great place, i love it. Dad well cared for. Not sure about the activities. Rated a 3 just because I'm not really sure what memory care does or can do but everyone is great! NO complaints
These people genuinely care; they are very, very interested in helping my father get settled and that he is well attended to. I continue to be impressed; the longer we are here, the more impressed I am.
My loved one is a resident at Brookdale Bayshore and everything has been very good for her so far at this facility. I would recommend Brookdale Bayshore to others looking for Assisted Living care for their...
My family and I have always been hesitant about coming to terms with this part of our Mothers life, after retirement! As much as we all want to keep her with us at home, we know she would be better suited in...
My brother has been in this facility for 15 years, the staff is kind and friendly. The administration is always available when I need to speak to them and solves the issues in a timely manner. my brother is...
I would recommend this community. They are very nice people. The rooms are very clean. There are two people per room. They did offer activities to residents, like bingo, music, and some other...
Very tranquil area in the old historic Lowry Park area.
Everything is essentially all inclusive, even the toiletries, which is a great help on the family. So far so good. [name removed] and her staff have been really helpful. They helped answer any questions I...
My mom is here currently and they’re absolutely meeting my expectations. The food is very good, well balanced and nutritious, and they have a variable menu so there are plenty of options. The staff has been...
Our experience with Maria's Assisted Living has been a very good one! They're taking great care of my loved one. The staff is always friendly, caring, and respectful. We're very pleased with the service!
My mother lived here for nearly three years and she was the happiest she had been in a long time. It is a beautiful community but what really makes it beautiful are the people who live and work there. A...
- Costs of assisted living in Tampa, Florida
- How families pay for assisted living in Tampa, Florida
- Understand Florida laws and regulations for assisted living facilities
- Get to know assisted living in Tampa, Florida
- What to expect from assisted living in Tampa, Florida
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with Tampa, Florida? Highlights for seniors
Costs of assisted living in Tampa, Florida
Assisted living costs in Tampa average around $3,711 a month, based on A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. This figure includes housing, meals, care fees, and any additional service fees. Although the cost of living in Florida is increasing, the cost of assisted living in Tampa is still below other top destinations for retirees, like Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Dallas. And with no state income tax, Tampa, Florida, remains a good option for seniors looking to retire somewhere warm and relatively affordable. The figures below reflect the average starting costs for assisted living in the Tampa area before any additional fees for care or services.
Average cost comparisons near Tampa, FL
Average monthly costs
Tampa, FL
How families pay for assisted living in Tampa, Florida
Because assisted living provides both residential housing and personal care, most families and seniors pay for their assisted living with a mix of private means — like personal savings and investments — and public sources, like Medicaid. This section includes information on how to afford your ideal assisted living community in Tampa, Florida.
The private resources seniors use to pay for assisted living often include more than just a retirement account. For example, some seniors have long-term care insurance that may cover necessary care services offered by assisted living communities. However, your policy may not cover the costs of room and board. If not, it might be possible to cash out your policy and use those funds for your total assisted living costs. Whether or not this is possible is entirely dependent on your individual plan, so be sure to ask your insurance provider directly.
Read on for some other common ways people pay for their assisted living costs:
The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, or the FDVA, is a resource for veterans in Tampa looking for benefits counseling. The department has now made virtual benefits counseling available to better assist veterans and their families.
The FDVA operates an assisted living facility for veterans called the Robert G. Jenkins Jr. Veterans’ Domiciliary Home. While this 150-bed home is not in Tampa, all Florida veterans who require assisted living but do not need skilled nursing or hospital care are eligible for admission.
The VA pension and the Aid and Attendance benefit can be used to fund assisted living expenses for veterans who meet strict financial and medical requirements. To receive the Aid and Attendance benefit, a veteran must already receive a VA pension, be enrolled in VA health care, and be considered disabled. The Aid and Attendance can be used to pay for anything that improves the veteran’s quality of life, including room, board, and care at an assisted living community.
To be eligible for the VA pension, a veteran must meet the following criteria:
- Have an honorable discharge
- Served at least 90 days of active duty (with at least one day during wartime)
- Meet low-income status, be over 65, or be disabled
To qualify for the Aid and Attendance benefit, the veteran needs to meet one of the following:
- Have limited eyesight
- Need assistance with activities of daily life
- Live in a nursing home due to physical or mental disability
- Is bed bound due to lack of health care services
Florida has the third highest number of veterans of any state in the country, and in Tampa, many of these veterans are at retirement age. In fact, 39.1% of veterans in Tampa are over 65 years of age, and 15.2% are over 75.[02]
Number of veterans living in Tampa, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Percent of veterans living in Tampa who are 75+, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Additional resources for Tampa, Florida, veterans
9500 Bay Pines Blvd., #214
St. Petersburg, FL 33708
Phone: 727-319-7440
Email: VSO@fsva.state.fl.us
Phone: 727-319-7408
Email: VSO@fdva.state.fl.us
3602 US Highway 301 N
Tampa, FL 33619
Phone: 813-272-5002
Email: stromf@hcflgov.net
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Para obtener informaciĂłn y ayuda sobre beneficios de veteranos, contactar Dennys Massanet.
Teléfono: 407-205-5773
Email: Massanetd@fdva.state.fl.us
Florida’s Medicaid program is called Florida Medicaid, and it’s run by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Low-income seniors may qualify to have their health care costs covered in an assisted living facility in Florida.
Florida Medicaid’s Long-Term Care program can help financially and medically qualifying seniors pay for their senior care services either at home or at an assisted living community. Seniors approved for Florida Medicaid are enrolled in a long-term care health insurance plan associated with their location. In Tampa, the available long-term care plan is Florida Community Care. To determine qualification for Medicaid, a free needs assessment is usually done in the senior’s home.
According to Florida Medicaid’s coverage policies, a senior must meet the medical eligibility requirement to receive long-term care services from approved providers. A senior’s medical need must be approved by the Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services (or “CARES”) program as “nursing-facility level.” Nursing-facility levels of need, as defined by the CARES program, can include personal assistive care that can be found in an assisted living setting, not just skilled nursing in medical care settings.
After a senior is approved for long-term care through Florida Medicaid, they may qualify for a home and community based services waiver (also known as HCBS waivers) to pay for their care services from approved providers. Care funded by the HCBS waiver program may be received at the residential setting of the senior’s choice and may cover the following types of care services:
- Personal care (bathing, dressing, eating, hygiene)
- Occupational, physical, respiratory, and speech therapy
- Medication administration
- Home-delivered meals
- Homemaker services
While Florida’s Medicaid program will cover long-term care services associated with assisted living, it will not cover room and board in the assisted living facility. In Florida Medicaid’s policies booklet, you can find a list of what is covered under the Long-Term Care plan under section 4.0. And a comprehensive list of services not covered by the Long-Term Care plan is in section 5.0.
Tampa Medicaid resources
2727 Mahan Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: 850-412-4000
Feedback and question form
Fran Lima, Field Office Manager
15500 Lightwave Drive, Suite 100
Clearwater, Florida 33760
Phone: 727-552-2000
Medicare is a federal program that may cover health care costs for seniors over 65 who have paid Medicare taxes or are married to someone who paid Medicare taxes. Like Medicaid, Medicare won’t cover the total cost of assisted living but may cover medically necessary services like prescription medications and inpatient hospital stays.
According to the U.S. Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) is responsible for covering medically necessary inpatient rehabilitation therapy. From days 1-60 in a rehabilitation facility, recipients will pay a $1,600 deductible. After that, seniors will pay a $400 coinsurance every day until day 90, after which you will pay $800 a day until your lifetime reserve days are used up.
To learn more about what Medicare covers, you can visit the Federal Medicare website, dial 2-1-1, or contact your local Social Security office.
Tampa Medicare resources
3415 E. Frontage Road, Suite A
Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 800-772-1213
3900 Commonwealth Blvd., MS 49
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: 850-245-2118
Email: Public.Services@FloridaDEP.gov
Understand Florida laws and regulations for assisted living facilities
In Florida, the Bureau of Health Facilities Regulation licenses and regulates assisted living facilities. Depending on the care setting, the licenses and regulations may be slightly different. For example, residential group homes with a live-in caregiver need an additional license for Adult Foster Care. Assisted living communities that offer both independent living and skilled nursing units on-site need to apply for an Extended Congregate Care license.[04] To be eligible for assisted living in Tampa, Florida, a senior should not require 24-hour nursing care. The senior should be able to successfully complete their activities of daily living with caregiver assistance. The following are some other regulations that Tampa assisted living communities must adhere to:
- Facilities must be kept clean and hygienic.
- Regular meals should be provided.
- Residents are allowed to keep their own clothing and possessions in their room.
- Spouses should be allowed to share the same room if they are both residents of the community.
- Communication from the assisted living community with family members or guardians must happen at least every 30 days.
Employee training
All employees of assisted living communities are required to pass a background check. Within 30 days of starting their employment, caregiving staff must complete 1 hour of training on mitigating infectious diseases and 3 hours of training on senior residents’ needs. Administrative staff of assisted living facilities need to complete an initial 26 hours of training and 12 hours of continuing education every two years.[04]
Inspection reports
After an initial inspection, assisted living communities in Tampa go through inspections every two years. Inspection results are available to the public on the Agency for Health Care Administration website. To find an inspection report, click the “Statement of Deficiencies” tab, and in the drop down menu for “Provider type” select “Assisted Living Facility.” To search for individual facilities, write the name of the facility under “Provider name,” or simply select “Hillsborough County” to see the inspection results for every assisted living community in Tampa.
Florida Department of Health contact information
Agency for Health Care Administration – Assisted Living Facility Unit
Chequita Byrd, MSW
Manager, Assisted Living Unit
Bureau of Health Facility Regulation
2727 Mahan Drive, MS #30
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: 850-412-4304
Email: assistedliving@ahca.myflorida.com
Florida’s Compendium of Residential Care and Assisted Living Regulations and Policy, 2015
COVID-19 regulations for Tampa assisted living communities
Florida does not have any mandatory COVID-19 regulations for assisted living facilities, but it does use a preparedness checklist for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care facilities. Some of the recommendations for assisted living communities to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 include the following:
Masking. Communities need a system to identify and manage ill residents and prevent visitors from spreading COVID-19 in the community.
Facility cleanliness. Proper hygiene like washing hands and regularly disinfecting frequently used areas should be followed by all staff members.
Staff safety. A written COVID-19 plan should be available to the staff, and ongoing education on virus prevention should be available for the staff, residents, and families.
Get to know assisted living in Tampa, Florida
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What to expect from assisted living in Tampa, Florida
Since the 1960s, seniors from across the United States have flocked to Tampa, Florida, as a retirement haven. Pristine beaches, strong diversity, and no state income tax make up a large part of Tampa’s appeal. A growing local economy in the Tampa Bay area is also bringing in highly paid workers followed by aging parents. This persistent demand for senior living translates to a wide variety of assisted living options for Florida seniors.
Diverse demographics
Tampa is a very diverse city. Many assisted living communities in Tampa reflect this diversity by offering Spanish-speaking services and international cuisine options. From its racial and ethnic heterogeneity to its wide range in household income and ages of its residents, Tampa is called home by a huge variety of people. The largest age group in Tampa is between the ages of 25 and 39, making up 25.8% of the population. People 65+ make up 14.2% of the total population.[03] In surrounding Tampa Bay areas, like Clearwater, however, people 65+ make up the largest age group.
Traditional assisted living with top-tier medical care
Though Tampa itself lends quick access to excellent health care in the area, over 60% of our partner Tampa assisted living communities have an on-site medical director who is either a board-certified physician or a nurse practitioner.[01]Â On top of quick access to medical care, most assisted living communities in Tampa are traditional residential facilities offering daily meals, comfortable private or semi-private rooms, dedicated staff members to aid residents with daily activities, and some on-site amenities. The more luxurious assisted living communities, with expansive pools and more activities and amenities, tend to be in neighboring cities in the Tampa Bay area, like Clearwater and Wesley Chapel.
Assisted living in the greater Tampa Bay communities
Tampa and Tampa Bay are often referred to interchangeably, but Tampa Bay is the larger geographic area that includes cities like Tampa, Clearwater, and Wesley Chapel. We decided to expand on Clearwater and Wesley Chapel as important hubs for senior living in the Tampa Bay area.
Clearwater
Clearwater has a higher concentration of assisted living options than the city of Tampa. Some seniors enjoy Clearwater because many of the assisted living communities are oceanfront, with beautiful views over the water and closer proximity to the beach. There are also more luxury assisted living communities in Clearwater than in Tampa. And almost 23% of the population in Clearwater is over 65 years of age.[04]
Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel is an affluent northern suburb of Tampa. Due to its high growth in the last 10 years, the assisted living communities in Wesley Chapel tend to be newer and have more suburban amenities, like on-site dog parks, walking paths, and putting greens. Despite having more amenities than assisted living in Tampa, assisted living communities in Wesley Chapel tend to be the same price as those in Tampa. Meaning, you can get more bang for your buck in Wesley Chapel.
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Unfamiliar with Tampa, Florida? Highlights for seniors
About 14% of Tampa’s population is 65+, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Seniors age 75+ make up 5% of the population in Tampa, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
In Clearwater, Florida, 23% of the population is 65+, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
About 25% of the population in Tampa is Hispanic or Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Health care for seniors in Tampa
Tampa has a well-established health care system. And many hospitals are nationally ranked for a number of specialties, most specifically cancer and geriatrics.
Tampa General Hospital
The Tampa General Hospital is a general medical and teaching hospital. It’s highly ranked across a variety of specialties and is a high-performing hospital for geriatrics. It’s ranked No. 16 in the nation for ear, nose, and throat care, No. 27 in the nation for diabetes and endocrinology, No. 33 in the nation for orthopedics, and No. 34 in the nation for gastroenterology and GI surgery.
1 Tampa General Circle
Tampa, FL 33606-3571
Phone: 813-844-7000
H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute
H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute is ranked 25th in the nation for cancer treatment, according to U.S. News and World Report. It is also ranked nationally for geriatrics, gastroenterology and GI Surgery, and urology.
12902 USF Magnolia Drive
Tampa, FL 33612-9497
Phone: 813-592-3894
Morton Plant Hospital
The Morton Plant Hospital, located in Clearwater, Florida, is ranked No. 7 for care across all hospitals in Florida. It is particularly high-performing with cardiac procedures.
300 Pinellas St.
Clearwater, FL 33756-3804
Phone: 727-462-7000
St. Joseph’s Hospital — Tampa
St. Joseph’s Hospital — Tampa is a regionally ranked general hospital and surgery center in Tampa, Florida. It performs highly for lung and colon cancer procedures.
3001 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33607-6387
Phone: 813-870-4000
Transportation for seniors in Tampa, Florida
Tampa is best explored by car, which is why 78% of our partnering assisted living communities in Tampa offer complimentary transportation.[01] However, traffic in downtown Tampa can be fierce, and a drive across Tampa at peak traffic hours can take more than an hour.
For seniors who do not have access to transportation services, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) runs the local bus system, which is an affordable, moderately reliable mode of transportation for locals.
The Sunshine Line is Tampa’s door-to-door transportation option for the elderly or disabled. Seniors can enroll in the program by calling their enrollment number, 813-272-7272.
Senior activities in Tampa, Florida
Living in the Tampa Bay area feels like living in a vacation destination because it is one. Many seniors of local assisted living communities enjoy group outings to local restaurants, malls, and casinos. Other well-loved group activities in our partnering assisted living communities include visits to the plentiful nearby beaches and birding expeditions. Walking clubs are one of the most popular activities in Tampa’s assisted living communities, and with the year-round sunshine, it’s not hard to see why.
Tampa makes senior activities accessible
Tampa’s Parks and Recreation Department has an exceptionally robust senior activities program. Water aerobics, quilting, and bridge are just a few of the many weekly activities free to seniors in Tampa, if they sign up on the Parks and Recreation website. The department also puts on regular formal dinners and dances for seniors, like the annual Silver Night Out Dance, which shows seniors in their finest enjoying fine dining and live entertainment.
Tampa seniors also have opportunities to attend retrospective concerts from acts like the Beach Boys, Elvis impersonators, Cher, and the Irish Tenors through the Adults at Leisure series at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Coordinators at Ruth Eckerd Hall also send musical acts directly to assisted living communities, so seniors can enjoy a show from the comfort of their community.
Tampa’s rich history means fun for history buffs
While visiting family members enjoy the classic Floridian theme park experience in Tampa, the older adults in the family may enjoy some of the more low-key options, like local historical sites. One of Tampa’s lesser-known charms is the Ybor City neighborhood, which is the only neighborhood in the South designated as a National Historic Landmark District. Visitors can stroll down palm tree-lined streets influenced by Spanish and Cuban architecture and learn how Ybor City made Tampa the cigar capital of the United States.
Getting outside in Tampa is easy
Nature and wildlife viewing is never far away in Tampa. Some of the most popular nature parks in the Tampa Bay area are Lettuce Lake Park and Weeden Island Preserve in St. Petersburg. Anywhere you go in the Tampa Bay area, you’re likely to see plenty of shorebirds and perhaps even spy an alligator. The Tampa Audubon Society is open to the public with advanced registration on its website, and it does a good job of listing the length and difficulty of their birding outings. Some birding routes, like the Circle B Bar Reserve, are even wheelchair accessible.
Frequently asked questions
Consuelo's Assisted Living Facility, Dorothy Cares ALF, LLC. and Legacy at Highwoods Preserve are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Tampa, FL. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Tampa is 3604.14 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Tampa City [Data set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101): Tampa city [Data set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population estimates (V2021): Clearwater city [Data set]. QuickFacts.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population estimates (V2021): Tampa city [Data set]. QuickFacts.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Demographic and housing estimates (DP05): Tampa city [Data set]. American Community Survey.
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