Will my loved one get the care they need in Jacksonville, Florida? What if they need skilled nursing care? Regardless of what kind of care your loved one is looking for, Jacksonville, Florida, has plenty of options that can fit your loved one’s needs and budget. Jacksonville’s temperate climate, low cost of living, and world-class health care system make it an attractive locale for seniors looking to start their next chapter.
Some assume nursing home refers to all senior living communities, including assisted living and memory care. However, nursing homes are specialized facilities that provide skilled nursing services. Often, the care delivered in nursing homes is just below that of a hospital. The residents of nursing homes need round-the-clock medical care and are usually recovering from a procedure or an illness. Most seniors looking for senior living won’t need the kind of care reserved for a nursing home, meaning they may be a better fit for assisted living or memory care facilities instead.
While A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with traditional nursing homes, we do partner with assisted living facilities, memory care facilities, and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) that have skilled nursing wings. Seniors can typically get the same kind of professional skilled nursing care at these multilevel facilities as they can at traditional nursing homes. A Place for Mom partners with 18 senior care facilities that provide skilled nursing in Jacksonville. These communities are all within a 10-mile radius of Jacksonville’s city center.
This guide has everything you need to know about nursing homes in Jacksonville, Florida. Read on to learn about Jacksonville’s senior living communities, local and state regulations, how much senior living costs, and how to pay.
10 Best Nursing Homes in Jacksonville, FL
Will my loved one get the care they need in Jacksonville, Florida? What if they need skilled nursing care? Regardless of what kind of care your loved one is looking for, Jacksonville, Florida, has plenty of options that can fit your loved one’s needs and budget. Jacksonville’s temperate climate, low cost of living, and world-class health care system make it an attractive locale for seniors looking to start their next chapter.Read more
Some assume nursing home refers to all senior living communities, including assisted living and memory care. However, nursing homes are specialized facilities that provide skilled nursing services. Often, the care delivered in nursing homes is just below that of a hospital. The residents of nursing homes need round-the-clock medical care and are usually recovering from a procedure or an illness. Most seniors looking for senior living won’t need the kind of care reserved for a nursing home, meaning they may be a better fit for assisted living or memory care facilities instead.
While A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with traditional nursing homes, we do partner with assisted living facilities, memory care facilities, and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) that have skilled nursing wings. Seniors can typically get the same kind of professional skilled nursing care at these multilevel facilities as they can at traditional nursing homes. A Place for Mom partners with 18 senior care facilities that provide skilled nursing in Jacksonville. These communities are all within a 10-mile radius of Jacksonville’s city center.
This guide has everything you need to know about nursing homes in Jacksonville, Florida. Read on to learn about Jacksonville’s senior living communities, local and state regulations, how much senior living costs, and how to pay.
Nursing Homes Facilities near Jacksonville, FL
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- Unfamiliar with Jacksonville, FL? Highlights for seniors
What families are saying about nursing homes in Jacksonville
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Sunrise of Jacksonville
Seagrass Village of Fleming Island
HarborChase of Mandarin in Jacksonville, FL
Costs of nursing homes in the Jacksonville area
The average monthly cost for a private room and care in a Jacksonville nursing home is $8,213, according to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey.[02] Skilled nursing care is consistently costlier than other types of senior living, regardless of where you’re looking. Because skilled nursing care requires specialized training, 24/7 assistance, and medical tools, its costs are comparable to hospital care. Unlike in assisted living or memory care facilities, care services — not rent — are the most expensive aspect of a nursing home stay.
A breakdown of nursing home costs includes the following:
- Rent for a private or semi-private room
- Meals
- Skilled nursing care, including injections, wound care, and IVs
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Assisted living and memory care are half as expensive as skilled nursing care in Jacksonville, at $3,885 and $4,110 a month, on average.[01] These smaller assisted living and memory care fees don’t include skilled nursing care, but they do offer the following:
- Rent for a private or shared room
- Meals
- Personal care, such as bathing and medication management
- Daily activities and access to amenities
Jacksonville is considered an affordable city, and its assisted living and memory care costs are below the national average. However, the cost of skilled nursing care in Jacksonville is slightly above the national average. This is partly because Florida has one of the lowest resident-to-nurse ratios in the United States and, as a result, provides some of the highest quality skilled nursing care.
Average monthly cost of Nursing Homes in Jacksonville, FL vs. nearby cities
Jacksonville, FL
How people pay for a nursing home in Jacksonville, FL
Most families try to pay for as much of their loved one’s skilled nursing care with public funds as they can before supplementing with private savings or income. While it differs for each individual, you may find that you can pay for more than you expect of your loved one’s skilled nursing care in Jacksonville using Medicaid, Medicare, or veterans benefits. However, you’ll likely need to use some personal savings or income as well.
We know that paying for your loved one’s senior care is one of the most important considerations you face. To help, we’ve compiled these resources that can light a path for you to pay for your loved one’s senior care in Jacksonville.
Retirement accounts are one of the most common ways to pay for senior care, but they’re not the only method. Investment returns, the sale of a house, or even cashing out life insurance policies can help make the right senior living facilities affordable. Explore the articles below to learn how to use these other common private income sources.
Jacksonville is one of the most veteran-friendly cities in the United States. Due to its many military facilities and Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Jacksonville is home to many veterans of all ages, but it’s senior veterans who most often make Jacksonville home. The city dedicates an entire department to veterans services, and local former service members benefit from a robust community.
Can I pay for skilled nursing care with veterans benefits?
While applying for veterans benefits can be difficult, your loved one is likely eligible for at least some assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Aid and Attendance benefit is one of the most generous and can be used to pay for anything that improves the veteran’s quality of life, including skilled nursing care.
Benefits counseling for veterans and their families in Jacksonville, FL
Many families find the application process for veterans benefits challenging and confusing, but the application for VA benefits is certainly not a journey you need to take alone. There are plenty of resources in Jacksonville to help you and your loved one determine eligible benefits, apply, and even appeal decisions.
Use the following organizations to help apply for VA benefits:
- Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs). Veterans Service Organizations are a network of VA-vetted benefits counselors working across the United States. The expert veterans service officers can help you identify the benefits your loved one is eligible for, and they can help you apply as well. You can find VSOs by going to the VSO web page and clicking on “Find a new Representative,” or by going to the National Resource Directory and searching “VSO in Florida.”
- The City of Jacksonville’s Military Affairs and Veterans Department. Jacksonville serves local veterans directly through their Military Affairs and Veterans Department. You can get benefits counseling through the veterans service officers on staff. The department also provides information about local housing and employment opportunities. To contact a service officer directly, call the department using the number listed below.
- The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA). The FDVA offers virtual benefits counseling to in-state veterans and their families. Benefits counselors will help determine for which benefits your loved one should apply and will walk you through the application process. You can set up your virtual appointment by calling 727-319-7408.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Jacksonville. Jacksonville VFW and DAV chapters are not affiliated with the state or federal government and therefore provide an outside perspective on veterans benefits. These programs offer benefits counseling at no cost to veterans or their families, and they can even appeal decisions.
Jacksonville’s VA nursing home
The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) runs nine nursing homes throughout the Sunshine State. The closest VA nursing home to Jacksonville is the Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home in St. Augustine, Florida.
This 120-bed facility provides skilled nursing care to local veterans and can provide care for up to 60 residents with dementia. To be eligible for this nursing home, a veteran needs an honorable discharge and needs to be in need of skilled nursing care according to a physician. Applying for this nursing home doesn’t guarantee admission, and there’s likely a waiting list.
Number of veterans who live in Jacksonville, Florida
About 17% of Jacksonville’s veterans are 75+
Resources for Jacksonville veterans
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
9500 Bay Pines Blvd., #214
St. Petersburg, FL 33708
Phone: 727-316-7440
Email: vso@fdva.state.fl.us
Virtual benefits counseling
Jacksonville Vet Center
3728 Phillips Highway, Suite 31
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: 904-399-8351
Jacksonville Military Affairs and Veterans Department
City Hall, 117 W. Duval St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: 904-778-7907
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7909
6204 Blanding Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32244
Phone: 904-778-7909
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Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3270
915 8th Ave. South Jacksonville Beach
Jacksonville, FL 32250
Phone: 904-249-7366
Disabled American Veterans Jacksonville
1439 Parental Home Road
Jacksonville, FL 32216
Phone: 904-720-0244
Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home
4650 State Road 16
St. Augustine, FL 32092
Phone: 904-940-2193
Seniors in need of long-term care, such as skilled nursing care, assisted living, or memory care, should sign up for Florida Medicaid’s Long Term Care (LTC) plan. Florida Medicaid offers two different plans — the Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) plan and the LTC plan — but only the LTC plan covers personal care, room, and board in a long-term care facility.
Will Florida Medicaid’s LTC plan cover nursing home costs?
The LTC plan will automatically cover the entire cost of a nursing home stay, as long as that nursing home is Medicaid-approved and the individual is eligible for the LTC plan. In Medicaid-approved nursing homes, the LTC plan will cover the following:
- Room and board
- On-site physician and nursing services
- Housekeeping and laundry services
- Prescription medications
- Social services
If you want to find a comprehensive list of what Florida Medicaid covers, you can go to the Agency for Health Care Administration’s website. You’ll find a list of services, including an explanation of what services are covered in nursing homes or in skilled nursing wings.
Will Florida Medicaid’s LTC plan cover skilled nursing services in multilevel care facilities?
Florida Medicaid guarantees coverage for eligible seniors who already live in a Medicaid-approved nursing home. And while it does cover services for eligible seniors who live in a skilled nursing wing in a senior living facility, it does not guarantee immediate coverage. Many seniors are put on a waitlist to receive this coverage if they reside in a multilevel care facility.
Florida Medicaid doesn’t guarantee immediate coverage for seniors receiving skilled nursing in any facility that’s not a traditional nursing home. So if you want to cover your loved one’s skilled nursing costs at a multilevel care facility, consider contacting a Medicaid-patient advocate or an elder law attorney.
Will Florida Medicaid’s LTC plan cover assisted living or memory care costs?
Florida Medicaid’s LTC plan will cover some, but not all, of your loved one’s assisted living or memory care costs. First, the facility must be Medicaid-approved. Second, your loved one must be eligible for the LTC plan. If these two criteria are met, the LTC plan will cover all health care services and personal care, such as bathing and grooming. Unlike LTC coverage for nursing homes, however, the LTC plan won’t cover rent or meals in an assisted living or memory care facility.
Eligibility for Florida Medicaid’s LTC plan
To be eligible for Florida Medicaid’s LTC plan, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a Florida resident
- Be 65 years of age or older
- Be without other health insurance
- Be low-income (A single person can make no more than $18,075 annually before taxes to be considered low-income, and a couple can make no more than $24,353, as of 2023. These numbers are adjusted yearly for inflation.)
Help with applying for Florida Medicaid’s LTC plan
The resources below are a useful starting point to help you identify if your loved one is eligible for the LTC plan. If you need more assistance, you can contact the Human Services Counselors through the Florida Department of Health. They can help you and your loved one through the application process, and they can answer any questions you may have. You can direct any complaints about Florida Medicaid to the Florida Ombudsman Citizens’ Aide.
Jacksonville resident Medicaid resources
Florida Medicaid
2727 Mahan Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: 866-762-2237
Human Services Counselors
921 N. Davis St.
Bldg. A, Suite 251
Jacksonville, FL 32209
Phone: 904-253-1000
Jacksonville’s Senior Services Directory
Administrative offices, City Hall at St. James building
117 W. Duval St., Suite 280
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Gloria Crawford, Chief of Jacksonville’s Senior Services Division
Phone: 904-255-5400
Email: adultsvcs@coj.net
Medicare is a federal program that helps qualified seniors pay their health care expenses. Seniors are generally eligible if they’re over 65 and have paid their Medicare taxes or married to someone who has. Some younger individuals with disabilities are also eligible for Medicare.
What does Medicare cover?
Medicare covers short-term and medically necessary expenses. Short-term means that Medicare will not cover an indefinite hospital stay. Instead, Medicare will cover the full cost of care up to 20 days in an inpatient or rehabilitation setting, including room fees, meals, and all health care expenses. From day 21 to day 100 in an inpatient or rehabilitation facility, individuals must pay a $200 daily copay. After day 101, Medicare won’t cover any services.
What is medically necessary for one person may not be for another, and this difference is up to the individual’s physician and Medicare. Some common examples of procedures or medications that Medicare may cover include knee replacement surgery, dialysis, and blood pressure medication. You can find out if a service, item, or prescription is covered on the Medicare coverage portal.
Will Medicare cover nursing home costs?
Medicare will cover short-term stays in a nursing home if that stay is deemed medically necessary. Most people stay in a nursing home or a skilled nursing facility only for a short period of time to recover from an illness or a procedure, and often these stays are covered by Medicare. Medicare will pay for rent in a semi-private room, meals, and all medical services and therapies for up to 20 days.
Will Medicare cover assisted living or memory care costs?
Medicare does not cover assisted living or memory care costs, because neither are medically necessary or short-term. However, if your loved one lives in an assisted living or memory care facility and needs medical treatment, they may be able to cover their medical costs with Medicare.
Can seniors in Jacksonville get help paying their Medicare premiums?
Yes, there are plenty of programs for Jacksonville seniors to help pay Medicare premiums. The Medicare Savings Programs will pay for a senior’s Medicare premiums if the senior makes under $1,153 a month in income. These programs are outlined in full, along with their application information, on the federal Medicare website. You can also call the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) for more information or to apply.
Can seniors get help applying for Medicare in Jacksonville?
If after reviewing the Medicare website — which outlines eligibility information, covered services, and how to apply — you’d like more help with applying for Medicare, you have options in Jacksonville. The local Human Services Counselors, employed by the Florida Department of Health-Duval County, can help you through the Medicare application process. The Florida Ombudsman Citizens’ Aide can take any complaints you may have.
Jacksonville resident Medicare resources
SSA office — Jacksonville
1685 Dunn Ave.
Jacksonville, FL 32218
Phone: 866-635-0789
Human Services Counselors
921 N. Davis St.
Bldg. A, Suite 251
Jacksonville, FL 32209
Phone: 904-253-1000
Jacksonville’s Senior Services Directory
Administrative offices, City Hall at St. James building
117 W. Duval St., Suite 280
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Gloria Crawford, Chief of Jacksonville’s Senior Services Division
Phone: 904-255-5400
Email: adultsvcs@coj.net
Understand Florida laws and regulations for nursing homes
Florida nursing homes provide some of the best skilled nursing care in the nation. According to a 2018 Kaiser Family Foundation report, Florida is one of only five states that exceed the ideal number of nurses on staff at nursing facilities. In addition, Florida also requires more hours per day of care for each resident in nursing homes than any other state.
This explains why Florida nursing homes tend to be more expensive than the national average. It also explains why Florida nursing home residents see better health outcomes than in most other states. According to a study by U.S. News and World Report, nursing home residents in Florida experience more positive health results, are less likely to be given antipsychotics, and have fewer rehospitalizations and falls than residents of nursing homes in other states.[04]
Florida state regulations for nursing homes
Florida’s nursing homes are regulated and licensed by the AHCA’s Long Term Care Services Unit. The AHCA conducts unannounced evaluations of nursing homes every 15 months.
You can find a list of every nursing home in Florida with their contact information at FloridaHealthFinder.gov. Select “Locate a Facility of Provider” to find a list of skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care facilities. Each listing has information about the facility’s capacity, license, history, location, and past violations.
According to the AHCA’s Bureau of Health Facility Regulations, nursing homes in Jacksonville must meet these requirements:
- Guard resident rights to dignity, personal decisions, and communication.
- Allow residents to communicate with people or organizations outside of the community.
- Protect residents’ rights to choose their own physician and health care services.
- Allow residents to maintain their privacy.
Florida nursing homes also need to meet minimum hourly care requirements for each resident, including the following:
- Each resident must receive an average of at least 3.6 hours of care each day.
- A minimum of two of these hours must be from a nursing assistant.
- A minimum of one of these hours must be from a licensed nurse.
Florida’s regulations for other senior care facilities
Other senior care facilities, like assisted living and memory care communities, are also licensed by the AHCA’s Long Term Care Services Unit. These communities keep their licensure by following these guidelines, among others:
- Assisted living and memory care facilities can only accept residents who don’t require 24-hour medical care.
- Facilities must be kept in a clean and livable condition.
- Residents must be given regular meals that accommodate their dietary restrictions.
- If a couple lives in the same community, they should be allowed to live together.
- Families and guardians must be contacted at least every 30 days for updates.
Employees of assisted living and memory care communities need to follow these guidelines:
- All employees of Florida’s assisted living communities receive a background check.
- Site administrators should complete 26 hours of initial training and 12 hours of continuing education every two years about senior care.
- Caregiving staff must complete a care needs training within a month of their hire date.
Federal regulations for nursing homes
Many skilled nursing services can be funded by the federal government through Medicaid and Medicare, so the federal government does have some specific requirements for nursing homes. You can find public report cards for every skilled nursing home or rehabilitation facility in the U.S. on the Medicare provider search tool.
According to the Code of Federal Regulations, nursing homes or skilled nursing units are required to follow these standards:
- Respect residents’ rights to privacy, freedom, and dignity
- Provide a care plan for each resident
- Maintain the quality of life for each resident to the best of their ability
Florida Department of Health contact information
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) — Long Term Care Services Unit
Brian O. Smith, Manager of Long Term Care Services Unit
2727 Mahan Drive, MS#33
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: 805-412-4303
Email: LTCStaff@ahca.myflorida.com
COVID-19 regulations for Jacksonville nursing homes
Florida doesn’t mandate any COVID-19 procedures in Jacksonville nursing homes. However, Florida does set guidelines for all skilled nursing facilities, including a recommendation to mask and quarantine in case of an outbreak. Facilities are able to ask visitors to mask if they’ve chosen that policy themselves, but masking is not mandated by the state. Visitors are allowed to visit at any time, regardless of whether or not they’re vaccinated.
Jacksonville publishes case maps and testing sites on the Jacksonville COVID-19 FAQ page.
Masking. Skilled nursing facilities can choose to require masks, but it’s not mandated by the state of Florida.
Facility cleanliness. Nursing homes must maintain good hygiene and are recommended to sanitize high-use areas regularly.
Quarantining. Skilled nursing facilities should have a quarantine wing prepared for ill residents.
Get to know senior living in Jacksonville, FL
What to expect from nursing homes in Jacksonville, FL
Much of Jacksonville’s population growth in the past decade has been from people over 65. Whether they’re following children who moved to Jacksonville for work, were stationed in Jacksonville during their time in the military and wanted to return, or were simply looking for an affordable place in the sun, more and more seniors are calling Jacksonville home.
Most of these seniors end up looking for senior living options, whether in an assisted living facility, memory care community, or nursing home. While A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with traditional nursing homes, your loved one may be a better fit for assisted living or memory care. Nursing homes offer a level of care just below that of a hospital, and most seniors only spend time in a nursing home while recovering from a procedure or an illness. Typically, only people who need round-the-clock medical assistance reside in traditional nursing homes.
That said, A Place for Mom does partner with 18 assisted living and memory care facilities that have skilled nursing wings to serve residents who need extra support.[01] Of these 18 communities, most are multilevel care communities, while fewer are continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Both come with different opportunities for senior residents. Learn which type of senior care facility is the best fit for your loved one in Jacksonville, Florida.
Skilled nursing in multilevel care senior living facilities in Jacksonville, FL
The majority of Jacksonville’s skilled nursing wings are in multilevel care facilities, often with assisted living, memory care, and independent living. These are large structures with multiple buildings on sprawling grounds. Skilled nursing wings at these facilities provide the same type of care as traditional stand-alone nursing homes. Nurses and nursing assistants offer wound care and administer injections and IVs. Visiting physical and occupational therapists make sure your loved one is well on their way to recovery. Typically, rooms in these facilities are shared, but you may be able to get a private room for an extra fee.
Skilled nursing care is expensive, and it’s not typically included in your normal fees for assisted living or memory care. Expect to pay a considerable extra amount towards your loved one’s skilled nursing care at these multilevel care facilities if their care isn’t covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or veterans benefits.
Skilled nursing continuing care retirement communities in Jacksonville, FL
Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) look almost identical to other multilevel care senior living facilities. They tend to have a full range of senior living options on one campus, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. The main difference lies in their payment structure.
While in other multilevel care facilities, families pay considerably higher fees for skilled nursing care on top of their other fees for assisted living or memory care, in CCRCs, skilled nursing costs are subsidized by an initial admissions fee. When moving into a CCRC, a resident must pay a large fee, usually between $50,000 and $500,000. This fee covers all future care costs, including very expensive skilled nursing care. Many seniors use the sale of a home to pay their admissions fees.
Assisted living and memory care in Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville’s assisted living and memory care communities are almost entirely in South Jacksonville, away from the busy downtown area and protected from coastal weather patterns. These facilities are designed to make your loved one’s life larger, not smaller. Amenities like pools, language classes, craft rooms, and daily social activities can keep your loved one engaged and happier than ever. Most memory care communities in Jacksonville follow specific, accredited memory care curricula, such as the Montessori Method.
Because Jacksonville is so large — the city sprawls over 840 square miles — its senior living facilities tend to be larger than in other cities. Seniors can expect rooms with plenty of natural light, kitchenettes, and access to beautiful outdoor areas. All of A Place for Mom’s partnering facilities also offer complimentary transportation within 15 miles of the community, so your loved one will be able to get to all of their appointments. Dining is almost always restaurant-style in communal dining rooms, and communities are required to accommodate their residents’ dietary needs.
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Unfamiliar with Jacksonville, FL? Highlights for seniors
Number of seniors over the age of 75 currently living in Jacksonville
Approximate percentage of seniors 75 and older within Jacksonville
Jacksonville’s average high temperature in Fahrenheit in January
Health care for seniors in Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville is home to main campuses for both the Mayo Clinic and the Baptist Medical Group. Seniors can expect most health care options to be conveniently located in South Jacksonville, where the majority of our partnering senior living options are located. While nursing home residents will receive their health care from their senior living facility, for serious procedures or other health care needs, exceptional hospital systems and geriatric providers are never far away.
Mayo Clinic — Jacksonville
The Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville is rated the best hospital in Florida, according to U.S. News and World Report. As a main campus for the world-class Mayo Clinic hospital system, it provides exceptional care for people of all ages, but it’s especially known for its geriatric care and its Memory Disorder Clinic.
4500 San Pablo Road
Jacksonville, FL 32224
Phone: 904-953-2000
Find a doctor
Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville
The Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville is the main campus for the entire Baptist Health hospital system. It provides excellent care for seniors across multiple specialties including neurology and geriatrics.
800 Prudential Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: 904-202-2000
Find a doctor
University of Florida Health Jacksonville
The University of Florida Health in Jacksonville is an academic medical center that offers care across a wide range of specialties and trains future physicians. It has four different campuses across the greater Jacksonville area.
655 Eighth St.
West Jacksonville, FL 32209
Phone: 904-244-0411
Find a doctor
Transportation for seniors in Jacksonville, FL
All of A Place for Mom’s partnering assisted living and memory care facilities offer transportation services, either at no cost or for a small fee. Residents won’t need to worry about driving themselves or taking public transportation to make an appointment. However, some communities do limit the radius they’ll drive to 15 miles, so make sure your loved one’s health care provider is within a reasonable distance from their facility.
Jacksonville spreads out over 840 square miles, so it’s no surprise that this is primarily a driving city. The area isn’t overly congested, but traffic can get backed up at peak hours. Jacksonville does have a public transportation system, called the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTAFLA), which runs a city-wide bus system, and seniors ride for free. However, it’s not recommended that any senior with memory impairment or physical limitations ride public transportation alone.
Senior activities in Jacksonville, FL
There’s a thriving senior population in Jacksonville, and they know how to have fun. Every senior living community that we partner with in the Bold New City of the South — with the exception of some senior apartments — put on daily or weekly activities for their residents. It’s likely your loved one won’t need to search for something to do. Common activities are bingo, singalongs, and social hours.
Outings are common, as Jacksonville has more than its fair share of beautiful and accessible beaches and birding routes. Most communities are flexible and take their residents’ interests seriously when planning their activity schedules. If your mom loves John Wayne movies and quilting, let her activities coordinator know!
The City of Jacksonville’s special events for seniors
The City of Jacksonville organizes annual events for seniors across the city. Some are educational, like the Safety and Security Seminar for Seniors, and some are just for fun, like the annual Fish-a-Thon, Bash at the Ballfield, and Senior Prom. Each season typically has its own senior dance, like the Fall Fling. Throughout the year, seniors can get involved in athletic leagues, pickleball tournaments, and volunteer opportunities. To register for these events or to learn more about upcoming opportunities, call 904-255-5667 or email adultsvcs@coj.net.
Discover the arts in downtown Jacksonville
Whether you live in Jacksonville or are visiting a loved one, there’s plenty for you and your family to enjoy. Jacksonville’s downtown is the artistic heartbeat of the city. Most well-known is the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, which makes for a refreshing day trip. The museum’s art collection is well-curated, but you don’t want to miss the gardens, which have some of the best examples of native and exotic flora in Florida.
The museum also puts on an event designed specifically for people with dementia, called Artful Moments. Guides can take you and your loved one on a gentle and sensory-rich walk through the museum and the gardens — and best of all, you get a free lunch. You can reserve a spot online.
Bask at The Beaches
The Beaches are a set of coastal towns adjacent to Jacksonville’s city center. These are small, quiet towns with miles of beaches and a laid-back atmosphere. In other words, this is where you go to relax. With a population of about 24,000 people, Jacksonville Beach is the largest of these towns. Seniors may especially enjoy the fishing pier in Jacksonville Beach.
Other towns like Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach each offer their own beaches, restaurants, and shopping experiences. But the best thing to do at The Beaches is to sit back, pick up a book, and eventually take a nap. More active families, especially with older kids, may enjoy kayaking at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, which is one of the best places in the world to experience the coastal hammock groves.
Put the wild in wildlife in North Jacksonville
Fans of big-cat documentaries may be especially interested in Jacksonville’s own Catty Shack Ranch, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing illegally captive big cats. The Catty Shack is an ethical organization and doesn’t sell or breed their animals. Tickets are $15.
Families may also enjoy the Fort Caroline National Memorial, a French colony dating back to 1564. This historic site’s past includes conflicts with native peoples, a Spanish war, and a free Black population dating back to the 1500s. It’s now an ecological preserve and makes for good hiking.
Jacksonville sports teams
What Jacksonville sport fans have plenty of is team spirit and originality. Local professional sports teams, such as the Jaguars, the Jumbo Shrimp, and the Icemen, all have loyal followings in Jacksonville, and going to a game at Everbank Field is a must-do for regular visitors.
Day trips from Jacksonville
Jacksonville is conveniently located near a few excellent day-trip destinations. Among these are Little Talbot Island State Park and Big Talbot Island State Park. These are both accessible by car and are about 26 miles north of the city. Kids and seniors alike can enjoy the sand dunes, clear water, and exceptional birding opportunities.
Blue Springs State Park is within driving distance from Jacksonville and has its own manatee population. Ichetucknee Springs is another perfect place to splash around and enjoy the unique landscape.
Local guides to Jacksonville
For up-to-date information about events in Jacksonville, check out Jacksonville’s local visitors’ guide. You can find information about what to do, where to stay, and where to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Jacksonville, FL. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Jacksonville is 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.
Genworth. (2022). Cost of care survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Jacksonville city [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. World and News Report. (2022). Best nursing homes in 2022-2023.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101): Jacksonville city [Data set]. American Community Survey.
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- Orange Park, Florida
- Center Park, Florida
- Eggleston Heights, Florida
- Sans Pareil, Florida
- Sunbeam, Florida
- Royal Terrace, Florida
- Pearl Court, Florida
- Panama Park, Florida
- Stockade, Florida