With 264 days of sunshine every year, it’s no surprise independent and active seniors love Naples, Florida. Whether you’re spending a day on the golf course, at the beach, or shopping on Fifth Avenue, there’s plenty to see and do.
Thinking about retiring in Naples? A Place for Mom partners with nine independent living communities within a 10-mile radius of the downtown area. Independent living offers all the amenities of community living while allowing residents to spend time pursuing their interests and connecting with friends and family.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything there is to know about independent living in Naples. You’ll discover cost and payment options, local amenities, transportation options, and the laws and regulations that guide independent living in the Sunshine State, among other important information.
10 Best Independent Living Communities in Naples, FL
With 264 days of sunshine every year, it’s no surprise independent and active seniors love Naples, Florida. Whether you’re spending a day on the golf course, at the beach, or shopping on Fifth Avenue, there’s plenty to see and do.Read more
Thinking about retiring in Naples? A Place for Mom partners with nine independent living communities within a 10-mile radius of the downtown area. Independent living offers all the amenities of community living while allowing residents to spend time pursuing their interests and connecting with friends and family.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything there is to know about independent living in Naples. You’ll discover cost and payment options, local amenities, transportation options, and the laws and regulations that guide independent living in the Sunshine State, among other important information.
Naples Independent Living Facilities | 638 Reviews
This community is wonderful and the staff here are so great with their residents. There is a beautiful courtyard and my husband loves going outside. The event coordinator talked with my husband and found...
My loved one was originally in independent living and it was fantastic. We ate there often and the food was really good. They have a huge menu of choices. We moved mom into assisted living and the staff that...
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- Compare local facilities
- Determine care type
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- What families are saying about independent living in Naples
- Costs of independent living in the Naples area
- How people pay for independent living in Naples
- Understand Florida laws and regulations for independent living communities
- Get to know independent living in Naples
- Types of independent living in Naples
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with Naples? Highlights for seniors
- Health care for seniors in Naples
- Transportation for seniors in Naples
- Senior activities in Naples
What families are saying about independent living in Naples
Recent reviews for independent living in Naples
Terracina Grand in Naples, FL
Carlisle At Naples
American House Coconut Point in Estero, FL
Costs of independent living in the Naples area
According to proprietary data from A Place for Mom, the cost of independent living communities in Naples is $3,698 per month.[01] This cost is the average actual cost, which means it includes associated fees and service fee add-ons.
Independent living is designed for active individuals who are looking for stress-free living, so these costs don’t include services like personal care. However, they do cover home maintenance, security, and the use of on-site amenities, such as swimming pools and fitness centers.
The illustration below outlines the average baseline costs of independent living in Naples without add-on fees.
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Naples, FL vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Naples, FL vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Naples vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Independent Living in Naples, FL by room type
Average cost of Independent Living in Naples over time
How people pay for independent living in Naples
Seniors can pay for independent living using several different methods, such as private income streams and VA benefits. However, independent living communities are not covered by long-term care insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare.
In this section, you’ll learn more about which payment methods you can use to fund independent living. You’ll also learn how programs such as Medicare and Medicaid can be used to pay for health care costs in independent living.
There are multiple private pay methods seniors can use to pay for independent living costs, including personal savings and investment returns, pensions, and Social Security benefits. Other popular private pay methods include:
Number of veterans who live in Naples, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
88 percent of Naples veterans are 65 or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
For veterans in Naples, there are several resources available to support the cost of moving to independent living. The VA benefits most commonly used by seniors to help pay for independent living costs are VA Pensions and the Aid and Attendance benefit. You can apply for the Aid and Attendance benefit here or at your regional VA office, and you can view the complete list of VA benefits online.
Before applying for any veterans benefits, we recommend connecting with a veterans services officer that can support you through the process and ensure that no benefits are left on the table. These experts are regarded as the best resources for support with veterans benefits, and they’re vetted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Naples has several places where you can find these veterans services officers. The resources are listed below.
Resources for Naples veterans
St. Petersburg Regional Office
9500 Bay Pines Blvd.
St. Petersburg, FL 33744
Phone: 800-827-1000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 311-K
Largo, FL 33778-1630
Phone: 727-518-3202
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Phone: 800-827-1000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Collier County Veteran Services
3339 Tamiami Trail, Suite 212
Naples, FL 34112
Phone: 239-252-8387
Fax: 239-252-2870
Email: colliercounty.veteranservices@colliercountyfl.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars: Post 7721
800 Neffs Way
Naples, FL 34119
Phone: 239-455-7721
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Disabled American Veterans
9500 Bay Pines Blvd.
St. Petersburg, FL 33744
Phone: 727-319-7444
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Medicaid, the joint federal and state health insurance program for low-income seniors, will not cover independent living costs. However, it can be used for medically necessary in-home health care services.
In Florida, Medicaid is operated by the Agency for Health Care Administration through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program (SMMC). SMMC comprises three separate programs: the Long-Term Care program (LTC), the Managed Medical Assistance program, and the Dental Program. You can receive funding assistance through the Long-Term Care waiver, which provides services to prolong independent living. Most other Medicaid coverage is granted through the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver program.
Need some help navigating Medicaid? The Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging offer unbiased financial counseling through the Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders program. If you need impartial support and advocacy, reach out to the Florida Ombudsman Program.
Naples resident Medicaid resources
Statewide Medicaid Managed Care
Phone: 877-711-3662
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration
2727 Mahan Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: 850-412-4000
Florida Department of Elder Affairs
4040 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, FL 32399-7000
Phone: 850-414-2000
Fax: 850-414-2004
Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida
2830 Winkler Ave., Suite 112
Fort Myers, FL 33916
Phone: 239-652-6900
Fax: 239-652-6989
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders
4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 270
Tallahassee, FL 32399-7000
Phone: 800-963-5337
Fax: 850-414-2150
Email: information@elderaffairs.org
Florida Ombudsman Program
4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 380
Tallahassee, FL 32399-7000
Phone: 850-414-2323
If you’re 65 or older or diagnosed with certain disabilities or illnesses, you can apply for Medicare, a federal health insurance program. While Medicare can’t be used for custodial independent living costs, such as room and board, it can be used for short-term health costs such as doctor visits, medication, and acute care. You can sign up for Medicare online.
Florida also has a number of programs that can support people who need financial counseling or assistance with Medicare costs. These options include:
- Through Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, seniors can access free financial counseling and Medicare classes.
- Eligible individuals can use the Florida Medicare Savings Program to cover Part A and Part B premiums.
- Need a discount on prescription medications? Check out the Florida Discount Drug Card Program.
- Finally, check out the Hope Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE). If you’re eligible for the PACE program, you can receive free services such as medical and home care.
For questions about Medicare, it’s best to reach out to the Social Security Administration. However, if you need help with or have concerns about long-term care, you can also contact the Florida Ombudsman Program.
Naples resident Medicare resources
Naples Social Security Administration Office
2659 Professional Circle, Room 1114
Naples, FL 34119
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Florida Department of Elder Affairs
4040 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, FL 32399-7000
Phone: 850-414-2000
Fax: 850-414-2004
Florida Medicare Savings Program
Phone: 888-419-3456
Florida Discount Drug Card Program
Phone: 866-341-8894
Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders
4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 270
Tallahassee, FL 32399-7000
Phone: 800-963-5337
Fax: 850-414-2150
Email: information@elderaffairs.org
Hope Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly
13020 Livingston Road
Naples, FL 34105
Phone: 239-985-6400
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Florida Ombudsman Program
4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 380
Tallahassee, FL 32399-7000
Phone: 850-414-2323
Understand Florida laws and regulations for independent living communities
Stand-alone independent living communities are subject to the same state and federal laws as rental properties and senior apartments. In addition, tenants are protected under the Fair Housing Act, which protects renters and home-buyers from discrimination; the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which protects people from discrimination during the credit application process; and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which protects people with disabilities from discrimination. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development lists all Florida tenants’ rights and protections on its website.
However, stand-alone independent living communities aren’t licensed because they aren’t classified as care facilities. More than 60% of our partner independent living facilities in Naples are part of larger care communities, such as assisted living or memory care. If they aren’t stand-alone, independent living communities must follow the same licensing regulations the rest of the facility follows.
Florida’s Department of Health is in charge of licensing and inspecting care facilities. Facilities are inspected before opening and then every two years. Inspectors examine the following factors:
- Staff and patient ratios
- Staff training
- Resident care plans
- The number of registered nurses on staff
- And more
Inspection reports can be found online on the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration website.
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 Naples independent living communities
Naples doesn’t currently have city-wide ordinances related to COVID-19. However, it does recommend people and businesses follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These general guidelines include:
Vaccinations. Vaccines and boosters are recommended but not required.
Masking. Masks are recommended for anyone who’s been exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19.
Facility cleanliness. Communities should follow CDC best practices and improve ventilation systems to decrease the spread of COVID-19.
Social distancing. People should avoid getting close to those who have a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.
Get to know independent living in Naples
Types of independent living in Naples
With its subtropical climate, Naples is a wonderful option for independent seniors who want to spend time in or around water. All of our partner communities have a swimming pool. However, if you prefer to explore, Naples also has plenty of beaches, golf clubs, and opportunities to boat or fish.
Independent living amenities and services
Independent living facilities in Naples have plenty of amenities and services designed to make your life easy and stress-free. In terms of services, independent living communities provide dining options, housekeeping, and maintenance so you can spend more time doing what you love. As for independent living amenities, you’ll surely enjoy the swimming pools, fitness centers, game rooms, movie theaters, and arts and crafts centers at some of our partner facilities.
Peace of mind at any stage of life
Many people who are thinking about independent living are also considering what care they’ll need down the line. Luckily, more than 60% of our partner facilities in Naples are combined with other care communities that provide higher levels of health care.
For example, three of our partners offer a combination of independent living and assisted living, and three more offer independent living, assisted living, and memory care. These facilities are a smart option for those who want to avoid moving to a new place when they need additional support and health care.
Luxury living
Naples has a higher cost of living than other cities in Florida. With that higher cost of living comes an abundance of luxury features, such as nearby fine dining and high-end shopping. So, whether you like one-of-a-kind, upscale boutiques or stores with designer brands, there are plenty of options for you to indulge.
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Unfamiliar with Naples? Highlights for seniors
Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Naples
Median annual income for Naples seniors 65 and older
Health care for seniors in Naples
Transportation for seniors in Naples
Our partner independent living facilities make it easy to get around Naples since all of them offer free transportation, and 56% offer it at-cost. Depending on where you want to go, there are other ways to get around, too.
According to Walk Score, Naples’ walkability is only 35 out of 100.[05] This means you will need to use vehicles to run most daily errands. A walk score is based on public density, walking routes, biking routes, and public transportation. There are a few walkable neighborhoods, however, including Old Naples, Lake Park, and Sun Terrace.
Beyond driving, there are a few other options to get around the city:
- Naples has scattered bike lanes in some of the busier areas.
- Collier Area Transport (CAT) is the local transportation network, offering 19 routes throughout the county.
- Naples Bay Water Shuttle serves Naples’ waterfront and operates between some popular dining and shopping spots.
For those who need assistance, CAT’s bus system is fully accessible. It also offers door-to-door paratransit called CATConnect for those who meet Americans with Disabilities Act eligibility requirements. Application information for CATConnect is available online.
Walk Score
Bike Score
Senior activities in Naples
Naples is a haven for those who love spending time outside. With sun-soaked beaches and year-round balmy weather, this town has everything you’d expect from a seaside community. Some of the main activities revolve around outdoor points of interest; for instance, Lowdermilk Beach has pretty beach-front parks, and Naples Pier is the perfect place for a stroll. Water-focused activities are also popular. For example, you can view Florida’s famous waterways by boat.
Beyond its beaches, Naples has expansive outdoor areas to explore. Whether it’s Naples Preserve’s famous butterfly garden or the 21-acre Nature Center, there are several options to explore Florida’s flora and fauna by foot or by boat. You can also take a trip to the botanical garden to wander through nine perfectly manicured gardens celebrating different themes and regions of the world.
For those who want to beat the heat, Naples has a number of accessible museums that speak to different interests and ages. For example, the Revs Institute features historically significant classic cars, and The Baker Museum regularly hosts global exhibitions. Want a taste of local history? The Naples Historical Society has several tours, lectures, and events.
While there’s plenty to do in the city center, you could also spend a weekend at Seminole Casino Hotel watching the latest touring musician or spending time at the blackjack table.
If you want to expand your community, Naples is home to several community centers and country clubs. Check out these local spots to make new friends and find new activities:
Frequently Asked Questions
Seascape At Naples, American House Bonita Springs Independent Living and Canterfield of Fort Myers are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near Naples, FL. These Independent Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Independent Living in Naples is $4,962 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): Naples, Florida [Data set]. QuickFacts.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). NCH Baker Hospital in Naples, FL – Rankings, Ratings & Photos
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Physicians Regional-Pine Ridge Hospital in Naples, FL – Rankings, Ratings & Photos
Walk Score. (2023). Downtown Naples, Florida.
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