Fort Myers is a vibrant Florida city situated between the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico, just north of Cape Coral. With long coastal drives, nature preserves, historic districts, shopping, and community centers galore, Fort Myers is a city built for a happy and restful retirement. Residents and visitors alike will never run out of things to do here.
There is a rich collection of assisted living properties to explore in Fort Myers. These facilities offer seniors a safe and comfortable place to live with the added security of extra care. Whether you or your loved one needs help with daily activities, extra support for a memory-related condition, or just the option of having more help should it be needed, there will be an assisted living community to suit you in Fort Myers.
A Place for Mom’s listings cover a 10-mile radius of the Fort Myers downtown area, and our pattern network includes 20 assisted living facilities — six are stand-alone assisted living facilities; one is a combination assisted living/independent living facility; three are combo assisted living/independent living/memory care facilities; and 10 combine assisted living/memory care under one roof.
Beyond exploring the listings themselves, you can use this guide to find advice for care payment, Fort Myers travel destinations, local hospital information, and help to apply for various benefits.
10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Fort Myers, FL
Fort Myers is a vibrant Florida city situated between the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico, just north of Cape Coral. With long coastal drives, nature preserves, historic districts, shopping, and community centers galore, Fort Myers is a city built for a happy and restful retirement. Residents and visitors alike will never run out of things to do here.Read more
There is a rich collection of assisted living properties to explore in Fort Myers. These facilities offer seniors a safe and comfortable place to live with the added security of extra care. Whether you or your loved one needs help with daily activities, extra support for a memory-related condition, or just the option of having more help should it be needed, there will be an assisted living community to suit you in Fort Myers.
A Place for Mom’s listings cover a 10-mile radius of the Fort Myers downtown area, and our pattern network includes 20 assisted living facilities — six are stand-alone assisted living facilities; one is a combination assisted living/independent living facility; three are combo assisted living/independent living/memory care facilities; and 10 combine assisted living/memory care under one roof.
Beyond exploring the listings themselves, you can use this guide to find advice for care payment, Fort Myers travel destinations, local hospital information, and help to apply for various benefits.
Fort Myers Assisted Living Facilities | 1243 Reviews
The Joyful Life Assisted Living, Inc. is wonderful!!! I can't rate the activities because I am not sure. Overall this has been a wonderful experience. I would highly recommend the Joyful Life Assisted...
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- What families are saying about assisted living in Fort Myers
- Costs of assisted living in the Fort Myers area
- How people pay for assisted living in Fort Myers
- Understand Florida laws and regulations for assisted living facilities
- Get to know assisted living in Fort Myers
- What to expect from assisted living in Fort Myers
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with Fort Myers? Highlights for seniors
What families are saying about assisted living in Fort Myers
Recent reviews for assisted living in Fort Myers
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Costs of assisted living in the Fort Myers area
The average cost that residents are paying for our partner assisted living facilities in Fort Myers is $4,314.[01] This monthly figure has been taken from A Place for Mom’s proprietary data and includes associated fees and service fee add-ons to reflect a total average cost.
The below graphic shows the average baseline costs that people in Fort Myers are paying for assisted living. This is without add-on fees.
Average monthly cost of Assisted Living in Fort Myers, FL vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Assisted Living in Fort Myers, FL vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Assisted Living in Fort Myers vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Assisted Living in Fort Myers, FL by room type
Average cost of Assisted Living in Fort Myers over time
How people pay for assisted living in Fort Myers
When joining an assisted living community, most seniors use a combination of methods to pay for housing and care costs. They might use Medicaid or Medicare, veterans benefits, or private payment methods such as pensions or investment returns. In this payment guide, we provide advice for using these methods, as well as resources you might want to check out.
Most people will use a combination of private sources to help cover their assisted living costs. This could include personal savings, work or personal pension, Social Security benefits, and investment returns. Seniors may also choose to use the following:
Number of veterans who live in Fort Myers
About 45% of Fort Myers veterans are 75+
If you’re a veteran looking for assisted living support, you may be entitled to receive the VA Aid and Attendance benefit. To be eligible, you will need to meet one of the following criteria: You require daily assistance to perform necessary activities like dressing, you have limited eyesight, you live in a nursing facility, or you spend a large proportion of the day bedbound due to illness.
Benefits like Aid and Attendance are added to your monthly VA Pension amount. Applying for these benefits can be complex, so make sure you and your family get some help before and during the process. Great places to start are governmental resources like the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs or the Lee County Veteran Assistance Program. Seniors can also reach out to local VA-vetted and -recognized veterans services officers for guidance or tap into veterans services organizations (VSOs), such as Jewish War Veterans or Disabled War Veterans, to get answers to VA-related questions.
Resources for Fort Myers veterans
Florida Department of Veterans Affairs
9500 Bay Pines Blvd., Suite 214
Bay Pines, FL 33744
Phone: 727-319-7440
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Lee County Veteran Assistance Program
2440 Thompson St.
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: 239-533-8381
Email: veterans@leegov.com
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Jewish War Veterans
Victor Paul Tuchman Post 400
Fort Myers, FL 33916
Phone: 813-404-5616
Disabled American Veterans
2489 Diplomat Parkway East
Cape Coral, FL 33909
Phone: 239-652-1800
Rodney Van Ness
Phone: 239-533-7977
Email: rvanness@leegov.com
Joe Delorenzo
Phone: 239-533-7978
Email: jdelorenzo@leegov.com
Jonathan Ramirez
Phone: 239-533-7975
Email: jramirez@leegov.com
Medicaid is a federal health care insurance program designed to help low-income seniors and those with disabilities access affordable care. Florida’s version of Medicaid is called, simply enough, Florida Medicaid. It’s run by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), and recipients access their benefits via Statewide Medicaid Managed Care. Medicaid in Florida can cover some of the costs of assisted living for eligible Fort Myers seniors through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Long-Term Care Managed Care (LTCMC).
This assistance comes in the form of a home and community based services (HCBS) waiver. HCBS waivers allow states to use Medicaid funds to provide senior care at home or in assisted living facilities instead of in an institution like a nursing home. Seniors who are on Medicaid will need this waiver to get care at home or in an assisted living facility. It won’t, however, cover room and board costs. A guide to applying for these benefits can be found online.
Checking your eligibility and applying can be complicated, so be sure to get all the help you need from your local Area Agency on Agency and your local ombudsman, as both resources know exactly how to navigate individual cases within the complex benefits system. You can also call the Elder Helpline for Medicaid information and referrals or visit the Elder Affairs website for more information. SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is another program by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the local Area Agency on Aging whose volunteers can answer Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance questions. SHINE is Florida’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
Fort Myers resident Medicaid resources
Florida State Medicaid Managed Care
Agency for Health Care Administration
2727 Mahan Drive, MS 62
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: 888-419-3456
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida
2830 Winkler Ave., Suite 112
Fort Myers, FL 33916
Phone: 239-652-6900
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Florida Ombudsman Program
2295 Victoria Ave., Room 152
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: 239-338-2563
SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders)
4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 270
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: 800-963-5337
Email: information@elderaffairs.org
Elder Helpline
Phone: 866-41-ELDER or 866-413-5337
Medicare is designed to provide necessary health care assistance for seniors and people with long-term health needs. It cannot be used for custodial costs like rent and meals, but it can help with costs related to medically necessary health visits and pharmaceuticals.
Because the application process can be complex, it’s advised that you contact Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE) — the local Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) — for free benefits counseling. You could also make use of the local Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which is called Hope PACE, for additional support if you need a high level of care.
Fort Myers has plenty of resources available to help you navigate the Medicare system. When you’re ready to apply, you should contact the Social Security Administration office in person or online. Seniors who are struggling to afford Medicare may be eligible for the Medicare Savings Program, which can help those who qualify with their Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance payments by either reducing them or covering them altogether.
If you need any extra assistance or help challenging a health benefits decision, your local long-term care ombudsman is there for you.
Fort Myers resident Medicare resources
Social Security Administration Office
4220 Executive Circle, Suite 25
Fort Myers, FL 33916
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
SHINE
2830 Winkler Avenue, Suite 112
Fort Myers, FL 33916
Phone: 239-652-6900
Fax: 239-652-6989
Toll-free number: 866-413-5337
Hope PACE
2668 Winkler Ave.
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: 239-985-6400
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
2295 Victoria Ave., Room 125
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: 239-338-2563
Understand Florida laws and regulations for assisted living facilities
It’s important to understand the laws and regulations that govern assisted living facilities in Fort Myers. Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) are licensed by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration’s Bureau of Health Facility Regulation. A standard license is for an ALF providing housing, meals, and personal care. On top of that license, there are three specialty licenses an ALF can acquire:
- Limited Nursing Services (LNS): This license allows nursing care to be provided on top of the standard license.
- Extended Congregate Care (ECC): This license incorporates both the standard and LNS license, but allows for an even higher level of physical and mental health care.
- Limited Mental Health (LMH): This license allows standard facilities to care for those with mental illness.
State laws and regulations must be adhered to by all types of licensed ALFs. These cover medication administration, meal service guidelines, staffing requirements, as well as staff training, facilities requirements, and the exact services each level is authorized to provide.
Every assisted living facility in Fort Myers must be inspected prior to licensure, as well as at least once every two years. However, ECC facilities must have quarterly visits by a registered nurse to monitor residents and to determine facility compliance. You can request inspection reports from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration or search for them yourself using this Facility/Provider Locator.
Half of the assisted living facilities in our network also provide memory care to residents, so these facilities must also fulfill the requirements for memory caregivers. This includes memory care-trained staff, layouts, and equipment that help protect residents with dementia from harm.
Florida Department of Health contact information
Florida Department of Health
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: 850-245-4444
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
COVID-19 regulations for Fort Myers assisted living facilities
Fort Myers assisted living facilities follow COVID-19 guidance set out by the state of Florida and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While there currently aren’t any legal mandates for masking, social distancing, or vaccination, recommendations continue to be followed and effective in minimizing the impact of community spread.
Vaccinations.
It is recommended that seniors and care staff receive vaccinations and booster shots against COVID-19.
Masking.
While there is no masking mandate in Lee County, assisted living facilities may advise visitors to wear a mask in enclosed spaces. Masks are also recommended for anyone with symptoms or anyone who has had close contact with someone who has tested positive.
Social distancing.
It is recommended when visiting or spending time indoors to keep a social distance of six feet or more. This is especially true for residents most vulnerable to COVID-19.
Quarantining.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, have tested positive, or have been in close contact with someone you know to have tested positive, the guidelines say to self-isolate.
CDC guidelines.
Comprehensive CDC guidelines and recommendations can be found on the agency website.
Get to know assisted living in Fort Myers
What to expect from assisted living in Fort Myers
Fort Myers, which sits between the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico, offers year-round warmth, beach-lined coasts, urban amenities, and ubiquitous history. Assisted living communities in the area have been designed to make the most of these aspects of Florida living.
A balance of care and independence
In Fort Myers and among the 20 assisted living communities within our network of partners, you will find a diverse range of senior care options. For those wanting a little more independence, there are communities that blend higher and lower levels of care, helping you adapt as your needs shift. For those needing more regular remedial and custodial care, many facilities offer intensive, on-site nursing. All communities offer a safe, enclosed, and well-supported environment, as well as additional activities and amenities to make life more enjoyable. Our partner breakdown is as follows:
- 6 stand-alone assisted living facilities
- 10 assisted living and memory care facilities
- 3 independent living, assisted living, and memory care combination
- 1 independent living and assisted living combination
An affordable way of life
There are many cost-friendly options for assisted living in Fort Myers. Because the area is a relatively inexpensive place to live, luxury accommodations and amenities like swimming pools and yoga classes are often affordable. The city offers elements of the good life — palm trees, balmy breezes, social occasions, etc. — in addition to specialized nursing care, support staff, and physician visits. You’ll be able to enjoy your golden years in comfort and style.
Your favorite things to do
When looking for an assisted living facility, everyone will have a different wishlist. If you want to bring your dog to live with you in a cozy, private room, you’re in luck — 17 of the 20 assisted living facilities in our Fort Myers network are animal-friendly. Only one facility doesn’t employ a visiting occupational, physical, or speech therapist or visiting podiatrist. Seniors prioritizing their faith will find that 80% of A Place for Mom’s partner communities offer onsite devotional activities. If it’s important for you to be able to invite guests and enjoy special occasions with new friends, you’ll be happy to know that 90% of our Fort Myers assisted living partner facilities host birthday parties and live musical performances.
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Unfamiliar with Fort Myers? Highlights for seniors
Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Fort Myers
Median annual income for Fort Myers seniors 65 and older
Health care for seniors in Fort Myers
Gulf Coast Medical Center
Gulf Coast Medical Center stands out as a top-tier healthcare facility in Lee County, serving as the sole certified comprehensive stroke center in the region. It garners exceptional ratings, particularly in heart failure rehabilitation and colon cancer surgery.
Lee Memorial Hospital
Lee Memorial is a highly regarded healthcare facility offering a wide range of services. With medical, surgical, and cardiac ICUs, along with 10 exceptional specialty areas, it provides primary, general, and specialized care. Additionally, its Skilled Nursing Unit, supported by Medicare, is an outstanding resource for seniors residing in the area.
Transportation for seniors in Fort Myers
Most people living in and around Fort Myers rely on cars to get around. With a vast network of highways and coastal roads, this stretch of the Florida coast is a nice place to take a road trip. It isn’t really possible to run errands on foot. Still, if you love to stroll, there are zones that are more walkable, such as the neighborhoods of Lincoln Park and Bowling Green.
There are also public transport options to get around town. LeeTran, the local public transit system in and around Fort Myers, operates 22 bus and trolley lines around the city. Serviced locations include the seaside at Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, and Bonita Springs. Other organizations, such as the subsidized, door-to-door, excursion-assisting Cape Coral Mini-Bus, also offer senior-friendly transport options.
It’s also worth noting that 85% of the assisted living facilities in A Place for Mom’s network offer complimentary transportation, so seniors can shop, run errands, and go to their personal and medical appointments without hassle. And 35% provide transportation services at cost.
The Walk Scores below come from comparing cities across the country and are based on a 100-point scale. The higher the number, the better the environment for that mode of transportation.[06]
Walk Score
Bike Score
Senior activities in Fort Myers
Fort Myers has a lot of different perspectives to offer seniors and their families. Just walking or driving around the city and its shorelines will provide great views and brushes with nature. For those able to get out and about, Estero Bay holds many natural treasures, such as the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail and several pristine, sandy beaches to choose from.
For seniors who need an accessible experience, there are many historic and cultural buildings and organizations to explore. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates is a visitor attraction celebrating the history and legacies of inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, who were both seasonal Fort Myers residents. With a museum, laboratory, and gardens, it’s a grand day out for seniors and their families. A map of the accessible areas of the grounds is available online. For more local history, check out the Southwest Florida Museum of History or the Lakes Park Railroad Museum.
Performing and fine art lovers will appreciate the Florida Repertory Theater and the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, the latter of which hosts film festivals, “wine and paint” evenings, a rooftop sculpture park, and all sorts of other events. Those interested in sports might prefer to take in a game at JetBlue Park, the spring training headquarters for the Boston Red Sox.
Another lovely aspect of senior life in Fort Myers is the feeling of community that exists in the area. There are so many community and recreation centers to choose from that you’ll be sure to find one with kindred spirits. Try Olga Park and Community Center, Buckingham Community Center, or Veterans Parks and Recreation Center, where seniors can enjoy card games, puzzles, various classes, and other social activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brookdale Fort Myers The Colony, Gulf Coast Memory Care and Canterfield of Fort Myers are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Fort Myers, 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 Fort Myers is 4454.04 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey
U.S. News & World Report. (n.d.). Gulf Coast Medical Center.
U.S. News & World Report. (n.d.). Lee Memorial Hospital.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Fort Myers.
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