Like all cities located on Florida’s panhandle, Pensacola promises warm year-round weather and access to a variety of public and private beaches. Retired seniors have made this city along the Gulf Shore their home. Consequently, it’s a welcoming place for anyone who wants to move gracefully through all the stages of life’s golden years. In fact, it’s rated No. 3 in the nation for best places to retire.
If you’ve considered transitioning your loved one to a nursing home facility in Pensacola, A Place for Mom can help with your search. People searching for nursing homes in Pensacola are often seeking care from a skilled nursing facility, an assisted living community, or a memory care facility. Although we don’t partner with nursing homes, we do partner with 12 assisted living and memory care communities in Pensacola. Memory care facilities are dedicated to serving populations dealing with impaired cognition due to Alzheimer’s disease or a related condition, while assisted living means your loved one will get help with daily activities, such as getting dressed or using the restroom. Nursing homes, on the other hand, are for people who need 24/7 medical care as they would receive in a hospital.
All our partners are within 10 miles of downtown Pensacola, which means they are either in Escambia County or Santa Rosa County. As you look through our partner communities in Pensacola, you’ll see that all have unique amenities and benefits. This makes it easier to choose one that you feel will be well-suited for your relative’s or spouse’s daily needs, financial situation, and preferred lifestyle. To help you further, we’ve included other information about Pensacola in this guide, such as city highlights, how seniors get around, the many ways to pay for nursing home costs, and the best health care centers in the region.
10 Best Nursing Homes in Pensacola, FL
Like all cities located on Florida’s panhandle, Pensacola promises warm year-round weather and access to a variety of public and private beaches. Retired seniors have made this city along the Gulf Shore their home. Consequently, it’s a welcoming place for anyone who wants to move gracefully through all the stages of life’s golden years. In fact, it’s rated No. 3 in the nation for best places to retire.Read more
If you’ve considered transitioning your loved one to a nursing home facility in Pensacola, A Place for Mom can help with your search. People searching for nursing homes in Pensacola are often seeking care from a skilled nursing facility, an assisted living community, or a memory care facility. Although we don’t partner with nursing homes, we do partner with 12 assisted living and memory care communities in Pensacola. Memory care facilities are dedicated to serving populations dealing with impaired cognition due to Alzheimer’s disease or a related condition, while assisted living means your loved one will get help with daily activities, such as getting dressed or using the restroom. Nursing homes, on the other hand, are for people who need 24/7 medical care as they would receive in a hospital.
All our partners are within 10 miles of downtown Pensacola, which means they are either in Escambia County or Santa Rosa County. As you look through our partner communities in Pensacola, you’ll see that all have unique amenities and benefits. This makes it easier to choose one that you feel will be well-suited for your relative’s or spouse’s daily needs, financial situation, and preferred lifestyle. To help you further, we’ve included other information about Pensacola in this guide, such as city highlights, how seniors get around, the many ways to pay for nursing home costs, and the best health care centers in the region.
Nursing Homes Facilities near Pensacola, FL
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- Compare local facilities
- Determine care type
- Schedule tours
- Evaluate pricing
- What families are saying about nursing homes in Pensacola
- Costs of nursing homes in the Pensacola area
- How people pay for a nursing home in Pensacola
- Understand Florida laws and regulations for nursing homes
- Get to know senior living in Pensacola
- What to expect from nursing homes in Pensacola
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with Pensacola? Highlights for seniors
What families are saying about nursing homes in Pensacola
Recent reviews for nursing homes in Pensacola
Sodalis Pensacola
Sodalis Milton
The Camellia at Gulf Breeze
Costs of nursing homes in the Pensacola area
The median monthly cost to live in a nursing home facility in the Pensacola area is $9,764 for a private room and $8,760 for a semi-private room.[02] On the other hand, seniors pay $4,245 each month on average for our partner assisted living facilities and $4,773 each month for our partner memory care facilities in Pensacola, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[03] Our figures include all additional fees and service fee add-ons to represent a total average monthly cost.
Assisted living facilities, memory care facilities, and nursing homes vary in services and amenities provided. Assisted living offers on-site care for daily living activities, such as helping with mobility, eating, or going to the restroom. Memory care focuses on personalized care plans and activities for seniors with memory loss, providing round-the-clock supervision and specialized support for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Nursing homes provide 24/7 comprehensive skilled medical care, catering to both short-term and long-term resident needs.
It is important to always ask to see a full outline of your loved one’s expected costs and what services and amenities are on offer before making a decision. It is your relative’s right to know his or her financial obligation.
Average monthly cost of Nursing Homes in Pensacola, FL vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Nursing Homes in Pensacola, FL vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Nursing Homes in Pensacola vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Nursing Homes in Pensacola, FL by room type
Average cost of Nursing Homes in Pensacola over time
How people pay for a nursing home in Pensacola
There is no single way that people pay for their monthly nursing home, assisted living, or memory care facility costs in the Pensacola area. Most use a combination of methods. The top four include tapping into private savings and income, leveraging VA benefits, offsetting medical fees with Medicare coverage, and, for those who meet low-income criteria, getting assistance through Medicaid.
A private pay method is generally any type of accessible funding stream outside of public benefits. For example, seniors may have savings amassed over years of working. Or, they may receive regular deposits from an investment account, a retirement account, a personal or spouse’s pension, or Social Security. Those with equity in any type of home, including vacation property, may be able to cash out to gain access to additional funds.
Below is more information from A Place for Mom on how senior homeowners and those with health savings accounts and various types of insurance policies improve their financial standing and cover the move to an assisted living or memory care facility in Pensacola.
Number of veterans who live in Pensacola
About 19% of Pensacola veterans are 75+
Pensacola has a reputation for being a friendly place for active and retired members of the military. If your loved one or your loved one’s spouse is a veteran, he or she may already be receiving a special military-related benefit called a VA Pension. VA Pensions are distributed monthly into the recipient’s bank account. Your relative can use this money for any need, including costs associated with moving to and living in a skilled nursing facility, assisted living community, or memory care location.
If your relative or spouse has never applied for a VA Pension, it’s not too late. However, you’ll want to check the eligibility requirements prior to submitting an application. The language can be slightly confusing, and you may benefit from speaking with a veterans services officer for assistance. A phone call or visit to the Regional VA Benefits Office might also help.
Whether or not your loved one can receive or is receiving a VA Pension, the Aid and Attendance benefit could be a good match. The Aid and Attendance benefit can be added to the VA Pension. Like the funds from a VA Pension, the money from an Aid and Attendance benefit can go toward any cost of living expense, including costs associated with a senior living facility.
Navigating veterans benefits
You don’t have to figure out all the possible veteran benefits for your loved one on your own. The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA), the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, and local veterans services organizations (VSOs) can be excellent places to start your journey. The veterans services officers there will help determine whether your loved one is eligible for benefits and answer all other questions at no cost.
Resources for Pensacola veterans
Regional VA Benefits Office
9500 Bay Pines Blvd.
Bay Pines, FL 33744
Phone: 800-698-2411
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Escambia County Veterans Services Office
221 Palafox Place
Pensacola, FL 32502
Phone: 850-595-2409
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Contact: Martin Merillat, Escambia County Veterans Services Officer
Phone: 850-595-1479
Email: mrmerillat@myescambia.com
VFW Post 706
5000 W. Lillian Highway
Pensacola, FL 32506
Phone: 850-455-0026
Email: vfwpost39+ContactUs@gmail.com
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Office
4504 Twin Oaks Drive
Pensacola, FL 32506
Phone: 727-319-7444
Frank Marston American Legion Post 33
1401 W. Intendencia St.
Pensacola, FL 32502
Phone: 850-359-4260
Email: media.post33@outlook.com
American Legion Post 240
8666 Gulf Beach Highway
Pensacola, FL 32507
Phone: 850-455-6111
Seniors who meet federal low-income guidelines may qualify for medical coverage through Medicaid. However, Medicaid won’t necessarily cover the room and board costs for all facilities that fall under the nursing home umbrella. For example, seniors in assisted living communities and memory care facilities won’t be able to use Medicaid for room and board. However, those in skilled nursing facilities can if nursing home services are prescribed by a physician in Florida. The facility also has to be one that accepts Medicaid payments.
Florida Medicaid, run by the Agency for Health Care Administration, can be applied for online.
Medicaid waivers
After a senior has been approved to receive Medicaid, you can take the next step, which is getting a home and community based services (HCBS) waiver or 1915(c) waiver. As explained in our HCBS waiver guide, waivers can be used to pay for some types of care received in assisted living or memory care facilities.
In Florida, you may be surprised to learn that there isn’t just one type of HCBS waiver, either. Some of the others include the FL Long-Term Care Waiver, the Florida Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) waiver, and the FL Developmental Disabilities Individual Budgeting Waiver.
Understanding Medicaid
If you have questions, a good place to start is to speak with a long-term care ombudsman. You may also want to contact the Northwest Florida Area Agency On Aging or the HHS Region 4 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)/Health and Human Services (HHS) Regional Office.
Pensacola resident Medicaid resources
Department of Children and Families Escambia County Service Center
33 Brent Lane
Pensacola, FL 32503
Phone: 866-762-2237
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Northwest Florida Area Agency On Aging, Inc.
5090 Commerce Park Circle
Pensacola, FL 32505
Phone: 850-494-7101
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
160 W. Government St., Suite 514
Pensacola, Florida 32502
Phone: 850- 595-0469
Fax: 850- 916-6722
Medicare is a federal medical insurance program for those 65+. However, it’s designed to only cover short-term medical care and not the long-term care costs associated with living in a skilled nursing facility. It also won’t cover room and board fees for assisted living or memory care.
This doesn’t mean your loved one can’t get any financial relief from Medicare. Because Medicare pays part or all of the fees associated with a variety of medical visits and treatments, it naturally alleviates some of the monetary burdens associated with paying to live in a residential senior living facility.
For instance, your loved one could be paying much less for Medicare premiums and copayments with the Medicare Savings Programs available through the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. If Medicare’s prescription discounts aren’t low enough, you might be able to find lower prices by joining the Florida Discount Drug Program.
Want more information about Medicare? Contact the Pensacola Social Security Administration or the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, called Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE) program. You can also get in touch with a long-term care ombudsman or the Aging & Adult Service office at the Florida Department of Elder Affairs to speak with experts on Medicare.
Pensacola resident Medicare resources
Social Security Administration Office
411 W. Garden St.
Pensacola, FL 32502
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Florida Department of Elder Affairs (SHINE) program
4040 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: 850-494-7100; 800-414-2000
Email: information@elderaffairs.org
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration
2727 Mahan Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: 888-419-3456
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
160 W. Government St., Suite 514
Pensacola, Florida 32502
Phone: 850-595-0469
Understand Florida laws and regulations for nursing homes
All facilities that fall under the broader nursing home category, including assisted living and memory care communities, are licensed by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration’s Bureau of Health Facility Regulation.
Inspections of senior living facilities in the Pensacola area cover quite a bit of ground. Inspectors check everything from fiscal records and facility policies to staff education plans, and training standards, patient advance directives, and professional medical staff service agreements. To access the inspection report, use this facility locator. It’s important to note that if a senior care facility fails a certain part of the inspection, the AHCA records and makes available any identified deficiencies through a public record search. Once your relative has transitioned to an assisted living or memory care facility, you have the option to report any concerns to the AHCA for appropriate action.
All nursing home facilities, assisted living communities, and memory care facilities must maintain specific staff-to-patient ratios, meet training regulations, have individual care plans for all residents, and provide all required activities. Every facility must prioritize its residents’ care, comfort, and concerns, encompassing aspects such as staff training, and nutritional programming. In addition to Florida laws and regulations, skilled nursing facilities are also governed by federal laws and regulations, too.
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 Pensacola nursing homes
Florida nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and memory care units aren’t required to follow specific COVID-19 guidelines. However, they are encouraged to follow best practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other serious conditions that could be especially dangerous for the elderly as well as those who are immunocompromised. This includes getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the seasonal flu and masking when appropriate.
Vaccinations.
Individuals healthy enough to get the COVID-19 vaccine should speak with their primary health care providers about obtaining a vaccine or booster.
Masking.
A high-quality mask can lower the chances of COVID-19 spreading among individuals in crowded indoor spaces. It’s not required, but the CDC recommends masking when appropriate.
Quarantining.
People who have been exposed to COVID-19, may have been exposed, or have tested positive should isolate per their doctors’ recommendations. The CDC suggests five days.
Get to know senior living in Pensacola
Number of people we have referred to our partner communities in Pensacola
Average age of resident we have referred to partner communities in Pensacola
Gender split: 61% female
What to expect from nursing homes in Pensacola
Every senior living facility we partner with within 10 miles of historic Pensacola has its own character and amenities. This makes it simpler for you to find the right fit for your parent, spouse, or other loved one. Whether you’re searching for somewhere that offers occasional skilled nursing care, round-the-clock access to skilled nursing, or specialized services like memory care, you can find it within this Florida panhandle city.
Living in Pensacola can be understandably humid in the summertime due to its location along the clear waters of the Gulf Shore. Nevertheless, it’s still one of the most popular places in America for older adults to retire.[01]
Types of senior living facilities
You’ll discover that there isn’t just one particular kind of senior living facility in Pensacola. While some are standalone properties, others are part of large communities with beautifully landscaped lawns, common spaces, gardens, and walking paths.
One of the most popular types falls under the category of assisted living. Assisted living communities are excellent choices for seniors who are at least moderately independent. With assisted living, they’re able to get help when they need it but have the freedom to engage in all the pastimes they adore.
Another commonly searched type of senior living facility is one dedicated to residents with cognitive impairment due to a condition like Alzheimer’s. These memory care communities are designed to provide safe residential housing and focused attention, treatments, and services.
A Place for Mom currently partners with 12 assisted living and memory care facilities within 10 miles of Pensacola’s central downtown and three additional facilities within a 25-mile radius of that same area.
Seven are stand-alone assisted living facilities, and two are stand-alone memory care facilities. The others are all combined communities that offer a mix of residential housing and care opportunities like adult daycare programs and licensed group home setups. You may want to consider a combination community if you’re planning to move with your loved one to Pensacola and you each require different levels of care.
Senior living designed for modern seniors
The senior living facilities in Pensacola you’ll explore through A Place for Mom all provide different types of care. There are some commonalities, however. For instance, all our partner assisted living and memory care community listings have staff members available 24 hours a day and give residents regular access to a visiting physical therapist. Beyond those services, you can find a wide array of additional skilled nursing and medically-focused options such as full medication management, on-call doctors, on-site hospice, and visiting nurses and other medical professionals.
Entertainment and activities
Seniors who move to assisted living facilities or memory care communities typically want to continue living as they did in their previous homes. For this reason, 92% of our partner facilities hire activity directors to plan everything from art and cooking classes to day trips around Pensacola and live music opportunities.
Be sure to ask about the happenings that are regularly held at each of your top facilities. You may be surprised to hear about all the happy hours, fitness sessions, picnics, parties, devotional services, and games that happen each week. Remember, too, that visitors are usually welcome to join in on these activities for quality time with loved ones.
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Unfamiliar with Pensacola? Highlights for seniors
Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Pensacola
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Pensacola population
Median annual income for Pensacola seniors 65 and older
Health care for seniors in Pensacola
Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola Hospital
Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola Hospital specializes in critical care and specialty services. It’s consistently regarded highly by U.S. News & World Report, which ranks the facility as high performing in seven different procedures. A few of the hospital’s notable specialties are cardiology, neurology, cancer care, orthopedics, kidney health, and stroke care.
Baptist Hospital
U.S. News and World Report rates Baptist Hospital as a high performer in six procedures. Because Baptist Health Care has been serving the region for more than 70 years, it’s a well-respected health care provider. As of late 2023, Baptist Hospital is breaking ground on a new building to continue offering services such as heart and vascular treatments, cancer care, orthopedics, surgery, and behavioral health.
HCA Florida West Hospital
HCA Florida West Hospital has built its reputation on striving to elevate the patient experience, which has earned it high ratings from U.S. News and World Report in two areas. Some of the treatment options available at HCA Florida West Hospital are robot-assisted surgery, orthopedics, gastroenterology, and women’s care.
Transportation for seniors in Pensacola
It’s not unusual for the majority of seniors living in assisted living communities, memory care facilities, and other skilled nursing facilities to rely on the transportation offered by their communities. A full 92% of all the Pensacola assisted living and memory care facilities partnered with A Place for Mom offer free transportation options. Three-quarters offer transportation for a nominal fee.
However, this doesn’t mean your loved one can’t use other types of transportation as long as he or she is accompanied by a responsible caregiver. For instance, residents and tourists alike often use the ECAT bus line. Operated by the Escambia County Area Transit, the ECAT bus lines are extensive enough to get riders across the city easily and affordably. ECAT buses are accessible and wheelchair-friendly. However, if your loved one requires extra assistance, you may want to check out the curb-to-curb services provided by ECAT ADA.
There are a few other transportation choices for Pensacola seniors as well. The first is called the Go Seniors! Transportation Program. Run by the ECMS Foundation, it’s specifically set up to transport seniors to medical visits. Riders need to get vouchers for Go Seniors! from their health care providers so they can ride for just $20 each trip.
The second Pensacola transportation possibility aside from the ECAT is the ECCT Paratransit Services program. Though it’s free, it’s not guaranteed, and you need to call at least a day in advance before noon to see if you can get a spot. Nevertheless, it’s a great solution for seniors on fixed incomes who don’t have other means of transportation or may not be close enough to an ECAT bus line.
Freedom To Go rounds out the non-ECAT transit options. This private transportation service is tailored exclusively for seniors in Pensacola, providing a convenient way for seniors to travel within the city. Whether it’s for doctor appointments, grocery shopping, or simply enjoying brunch outings with friends, their drivers are readily available Monday through Friday, operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Prices often fluctuate based on changes in gas prices, ensuring fair and current rates for all passengers.
Senior activities in Pensacola
It would be impossible to talk about Pensacola’s biggest tourist attractions without starting with its range of beaches. Thanks to the city’s location along the warm Gulf of Mexico shoreline, beaches are plentiful and diversified.
Without a doubt, Pensacola Beach is one of the most well-known and popular. With its iconic 1,500-foot-long pier, it’s ideal for fishing, beachcombing, and general sightseeing. Yet it’s far from being the only place where sand, sea, and surf combine. Other beach must-sees include the Gulf Island National Seashore less-groomed Johnson Beach and Perdido Key Beach, as well as Opal Beach, Park West, and Langdon Beach.
Before you head to any Pensacola beach with your loved one, plan ahead. Not all offer on-duty lifeguards or feature amenities like public bathrooms. Plus, many aren’t well suited for individuals who use wheelchairs or assisted devices like walkers and canes. Not to worry: There are plenty of other places to explore in this welcoming Panhandle city.
Pensacola museums and landmarks
Residents and tourists alike appreciate all the landmarks and historic sites throughout Pensacola. If your loved one enjoys visiting museums, try The National Naval Aviation Museum. The exhibits include a massive collection of aircraft. It’s free to everyone, although you can enjoy extra experiences like a flight simulator or for a fee or the ability to catch a Blue Angels flying practice.
Another military-inspired museum is the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, which is located at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. Only the first floor offers wheelchair accessibility. Still, it’s a terrific tribute to the area’s maritime history. Plus, the space gives both seniors and military members a nice discount on the already-low daily admission price.
If you and your relatives are searching for more of an immersive museum experience, try the Historic Pensacola Village. It’s yet another place that discounts tickets for seniors ages 65+. The site consists of several properties and museums, each of which helps visitors get a better picture of the past 450 years in the Pensacola region.
When you’re ready to relax but still want to learn a little about this Escambia County city, consider pampering yourself with a tour of Pensacola’s landmarks. You and your loved one can ride in comfort in an air-conditioned Ford transit bus straight out of the 1930s. Simply sit back and listen as your guide points out important buildings and tells you story after story about what makes Pensacola a one-of-a-kind place to live.
Other things to do and see
No rundown of tourist hotspots in Pensacola would be complete without a nod to the Blue Wahoos Ballpark. Situated on the picturesque Pensacola Bay, it’s a baseball fan’s delight from late spring through fall. Yet the ballpark isn’t just home to a regional minor league baseball team. It’s also a go-to location for concerts, celebrations, and other events.
For cultural experiences, head to a performance at Ballet Pensacola. The core company of dancers fills each season with inspirational classics and modern interpretations in this fully accessible venue. In the mood for remarkable music? The Pensacola Opera promises extraordinary celebrations of traditional, well-known classics as well as newer tributes to modern composers and songwriters. And don’t overlook the Pensacola Saenger Theatre. You never know if the stage is going to be populated by comedians, traveling Broadway-style plays, or old films.
Of course, you can always finish up any outing in Pensacola with a visit to a restaurant, diner, pub, or tapas bar. No matter what type of cuisine you’re in the mood to try, you can likely find it here. And to capitalize on the scenic atmosphere, be sure to eat at least once at a place situated near the waterfront for good food and great views.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Waterford at Carpenter's Creek, Sodalis Milton and Sodalis Cantonment are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Pensacola, 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 Pensacola is $3,894 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
U.S. News & World Report. (2022). What’s it Like to Live in Pensacola, FL?
Genworth Financial. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
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. (2023). Best Hospitals in Pensacola.
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