About Assisted LivingAssisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.Complete guide to assisted livingBest of 2024 Assisted Living Winners
About Memory CareMemory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering. Complete guide to memory careBest of 2024 Memory Care Winners
About Independent LivingIndependent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to independent livingBest of 2024 Independent Living Winners
About Senior LivingSenior living is a term used to describe various housing and care options for older adults from maintenance-free, 55+ facilities for active seniors, to secure, fully staffed facilities for seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia. Complete guide to senior livingFind senior living facilities near you
About Nursing HomesNursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.Complete guide to Nursing Homes
About Senior ApartmentsSenior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to Senior Apartments
About Care HomesResidential care homes are shared neighborhood homes for seniors who need a live-in caregiver to assist with activities of daily living, like dressing and bathing.Complete guide to care homes
Veteran ResourcesVA benefits for long-term care, such as Aid and Attendance benefits, can help eligible veterans and their surviving spouses pay for senior care.Guide to VA benefits for long-term care
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10 Best Nursing Homes in Tampa, FL

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Who are you searching for?

Is Tampa a good place to get skilled nursing care? What about assisted living or memory care? No matter the care you’re searching for, Tampa has the care seniors need. With its sunshine and warm weather, diverse culture, and exceptional skilled nursing care, Tampa continues to be a senior hot spot for retiring. And its senior-friendly tax laws make Tampa a perennial favorite place to live for seniors from all over the United States.

For many, the term “nursing home” is a stand-in for senior living in general. However, nursing homes are a distinct type of senior living facility that provides 24/7 skilled nursing care to seniors — a level of medical care just below hospitals. Most people on the hunt for senior living don’t need this type of intense medical care, especially since skilled nursing services are not only provided in nursing homes. Many assisted living and memory care communities that A Place for Mom partners with have skilled nursing wings on-site — for residents who grow to need such care. So, you or your loved one may be a better fit for a more comfortable, less institutional assisted living or memory care community.

With low resident-to-nurse ratios, Florida’s senior care communities provide some of the most personalized and high-quality care in the nation. Whether you’re looking for an assisted living community, memory care, or skilled nursing care, you’ll find options in Tampa, Florida. While A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with stand-alone skilled nursing homes, we do partner with 47 assisted living and memory care facilities within a 10-mile radius from Tampa’s city center — and over half of these communities offer on-site skilled nursing services.

Nursing Homes Facilities near Tampa, FL
Showing 73 communities
Last Updated: 3/26/24
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Best of Senior Living

The top senior living communities stand out for their exceptional care and support of seniors in independent living, assisted living, memory care, and in-home care. Our Best of Senior Living Award winners represent the top 1-2% of senior care providers nationwide based on reviews from those who matter most: residents and families.

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Providers
Types of care available in Tampa, FL
Nursing Homes
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.
Average starting price $X,XXX/month
Assisted Living
Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Average starting price $X,XXX/month
Memory Care
Memory Care
Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Average starting price $X,XXX/month
Independent Living
Independent Living
Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Average starting price $X,XXX/month
Residential Care Home
Residential Care Home
Residential care homes are shared neighborhood homes for seniors who need a live-in caregiver to assist with activities of daily living, like dressing and bathing.
Average starting price $X,XXX/month
Senior Apartments
Senior Apartments
Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Average starting price $X,XXX/month
Home Care
Home Care
Home care relies on trained aides to provide companionship and non-medical care for seniors living at home.
Recent reviews of Nursing Homes in Tampa, FL
5 / 5.0

She pulled the fire alarm and tried to escape and the Canopy did have her taken to the hospital to get her settled down. Which I think was fine. They did not Baker Act her. The place she was at before did baker act her 2 times for misbehavior. They also refused to take her back. Made it very difficu...

4.5 / 5.0

The Villas fits our needs! We throughly, enjoy the individual/independent or assisted Villa living. We have a a large open, outdoor patio, a full kitchen if we choose to cook and privacy. Villa's meals are presented nicely & quite tasty. Staff are friendly, caring and work hard to meet and please re...

5 / 5.0

The service was outstanding because [of] the personnel [was] outstanding. The personnel [was] outstanding because the supervisory and management was outstanding.

Photo of Springs Water ALF
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of A Safe Place
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Palm Ave Baptist Tower
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of St Elizabeth Convent
Provides: Nursing Homes
Care types provided by this community
Nursing Homes: Nursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.
Photo of Angels' House ALF Inc
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Castle Court Alf Inc
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Rose of Saron
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Gloria's ACLFI
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Photo of Larry's Family 1 Care ALF LLC
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of SeaCoast at Uptown Oaks
22 Photos available
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
We are excited to show you how you can get superior assisted living or memory care at its best with all inclusive pricing.
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Photo of Hyde Park Assisted Living
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Arbor Village of North Tampa Inc
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Shady Oaks Retirement Home
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Chalet Village
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Canterbury Tower
Provides: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Nursing Homes
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Nursing Homes: Nursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.
Photo of Fountain Ave ACLF Inc
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Park Place of Carrollwood
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Villa Rosa
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Bayshore Pointe Nursing and Rehab Center
99 Photos available
Provides: Nursing Homes
Care types provided by this community
Nursing Homes: Nursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.
Helping Hands, Compassionate Hearts. We are not only concerned for our residents' health but their overall quality of life. These features and amenities provide for our residents' needs while also lending an important social dimension to their well being and lifestyle.
Photo of Odenia's Angels ALF Corp
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Riverwood ALF
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Consuelo's ALF II
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Assured Care ALF North
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.

Costs of nursing homes in the Tampa area

Regardless of where you’re looking, nursing home or skilled nursing care is considerably more expensive than any other type of senior care. This is because skilled nursing units provide a high level of medical care, just below the kind of care you would get in a hospital. Care, not rent, is usually the most expensive part of the monthly fees for skilled nursing homes or units.

The average total cost of a private room and care in a Tampa skilled nursing home in 2021 was $9,885 a month, according to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey. This is twice as much as the monthly room and care costs for assisted living communities in Tampa, at $3,711, or Tampa memory care communities, at $3,793, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[01]

Tampa’s senior living costs are slightly below the national average for every senior care type except for skilled nursing care. This is in part because Florida skilled nursing homes or units have the lowest resident-to-nurse ratio in the country and offer some of the highest quality care as a result.

Average cost comparisons near Tampa, FL

Average monthly costs

Tampa, FL

$3,943

How people pay for nursing home care in Tampa, Florida

Most families use a mix of private funds and public assistance to pay for their nursing home or skilled nursing services. Medicaid and Medicare can both be used to cover some skilled nursing care services. Veterans benefits may also be used to cover skilled nursing care costs. Planning how you will pay for nursing home or skilled nursing care is key to avoiding additional stress. Read on to explore how to use private and public funds to pay for your Tampa senior living and care.

Private pay methods in Tampa, Florida

Private funds include anything from savings accounts to investments, real estate equity, and life and long-term care insurance. Some individuals cash out their life insurance policies or use their long-term care insurance to help cover long-term care costs. But policies differ, so it’s a good idea to consult your policy provider or an elder care attorney to see what your policy will cover, especially if you want to also use Medicaid or Medicare.

Below, you’ll find articles about how to use common private funds to pay for senior care:

Caregiver Resources
Can You Use Your HSA for Long-Term Care Costs?
By Celia Searles
Caregiver Resources
Reverse Mortgages and Long-Term Care: The Pros and Cons
By Merritt Whitley, senior living writer and editor
Veterans benefits for nursing homes in Tampa, Florida

Florida is a hub for senior veterans

Florida has one of the highest numbers of veterans in the country, and many choose to live in Tampa. An impressive 39.1% of veterans in Tampa are 65+, and 15.2% of veterans are 75+.[02]

The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (also known as the FDVA) is an excellent resource for Floridian veterans. Through the FDVA, Florida veterans can access benefits counseling – both in-person and virtual.

Nursing homes for Florida veterans

The FDVA operates eight different nursing homes for veterans in Florida. The closest VA nursing home to Tampa is the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes, which is about 40 minutes north of Tampa. This facility has 120 beds and reserves about half of its beds for veterans in need of memory care. Prospective residents can apply on the FDVA website below, or they can call the number below for additional information.

Aid and Attendance benefit

The Aid and Attendance benefit is additional money added to the VA pension and can be used for anything as long as it benefits the disabled veteran’s quality of life. So it can pay for things like rent and care in a senior living setting. Before getting the Aid and Attendance benefit, veterans need to first qualify for the VA pension by meeting the following eligibility criteria:

  • Have an honorable discharge
  • Serve at least 90 days of active duty (with at least one during wartime)
  • Meet low-income status and be either 65+ or disabled

To be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit, veterans must be eligible for the VA pension and meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Have very limited eyesight before receiving treatment
  • Be bedbound if a disability is not treated
  • Need assistance with some daily tasks
  • Already reside in a nursing home or assisted living community
17700

Number of veterans in Tampa, according to the U.S. Census Bureau

Percent of veterans who are 75+ in Tampa, according to the U.S. Census Bureau

Resources for Florida veterans

9500 Bay Pines Blvd., #214
St. Petersburg, FL 33708
Phone: 727-319-7440
Email: VSO@fsva.state.fl.us

6919 Parkway Blvd.
Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639
Phone: 813-558-5000

Florida Medicaid for nursing home or skilled nursing care

Florida Medicaid is run by the Agency for Health Care Administration (also known as AHCA). Florida offers different types of Medicaid health care plans. Seniors wanting to use Medicaid to pay for assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing care need to pick a Long-Term Care plan (also known as an LTC plan) that covers such services. To qualify for Florida Medicaid, a senior needs to meet the following criteria:

How Florida Medicaid pays for skilled nursing care services differs depending on where you plan to receive your care. There are two things to know about using Florida Medicaid if you’re looking to pay for skilled nursing care in a senior care facility:

  • First, not all senior care facilities in Florida accept Medicaid, so check with the facility before moving in if you plan to use Medicaid to cover any future care services.
  • Second, Florida guarantees Medicaid coverage for eligible seniors who are already living in a Medicaid-approved nursing facility but does not guarantee immediate Medicaid coverage for skilled nursing services provided in any other type of facility.

Many seniors receive Medicaid coverage for skilled nursing services in other types of communities, like assisted living or memory care communities, but it’s not guaranteed or immediately provided like it is in Medicaid-approved nursing homes.

Florida Medicaid for skilled nursing services in an assisted living community

People who want to receive skilled nursing services from assisted living communities outside the Medicaid-approved facility network are put on a waitlist to receive Medicaid funds for care. If you think you may become eligible for Medicaid after moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home, it may be a good idea to contact a Medicaid-patient advocate or an elder law attorney. A Medicaid-patient advocate can help you understand what care services are covered at the assisted living, memory care, or nursing facility of your choice.

Skilled nursing services covered by Florida Medicaid

For seniors in a Medicaid-approved senior living community that provides skilled nursing care, Medicaid will pay for the following services:

  • Room and board
  • On-site physician and nursing services
  • Housekeeping, including laundry
  • Prescription medications
  • Social services, like access to case workers who help connect seniors to financial, housing, and educational resources
  • Dialysis

You can find a comprehensive list of covered services under Florida Medicaid on the Agency for Health Care Administration website, including explanations of coverage for care services that you would receive outside of a nursing home or skilled nursing wing of a facility.

Florida resident Medicaid resources

2727 Mahan Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: 888-419-3456
Feedback and question form

Fran Lima, Field Office Manager
15500 Lightwave Drive, Suite 100
Clearwater, Florida 33760
Phone: 727-552-2000

Medicare nursing home coverage in Tampa, Florida

Medicare is a federal program to help qualifying people pay for parts of their health care costs. Medicare will cover some health care costs for the following groups:

  • People over 65 who have paid Medicare taxes
  • People over 65 who are married to someone who has paid Medicare taxes
  • People with disabilities

Medicare-covered services

Medicare pays for short-term medically necessary health care needs. This means Medicare will not cover board and care in a skilled nursing facility indefinitely. Instead, Medicare is most frequently used to cover short-term rehabilitation and recovery from an illness or a procedure, like a knee replacement surgery. Short-term care services that Medicare will pay for include the following:

  • A semi-private room in a skilled nursing facility
  • Medical care and medication administration
  • An ambulance ride to the nearest emergency room
  • Meals
  • Certain rehabilitative therapies

Medicare recipients will pay nothing toward their nursing care in the first 20 days, and from days 21-100, they will owe up to a $200 copay each day. Starting on day 101, Medicare no longer covers any services.

Services not covered by Medicare

Recipients don’t have to receive their care from a nursing home to be covered by Medicare. Most nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, or skilled nursing facilities accept Medicare, as do some assisted living and memory care communities. Wherever a senior chooses to receive their care, Medicare only covers short-term medically necessary services. Medicare does not cover the following:

  • Personal care (help with daily activities) that you would normally receive in an assisted living community
  • Dental and vision care
  • Hearing aids

You can find out if a care service or prescription is covered by using this Medicare coverage portal to check. To learn more about Medicare services in Tampa, Florida, contact your local Social Security office.

Tampa, Florida, resident Medicare resources

3415 E. Frontage Road, Suite A
Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 800-772-1213

3900 Commonwealth Blvd., MS 49
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: 850-245-2118
Email: Public.Services@FloridaDEP.gov

Florida is a leader in skilled nursing care

Florida has some of the most rigorous requirements for nursing homes or skilled nursing units in the nation. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation report in 2018, Florida is one of only five states in the country that exceeds the ideal number of nurses on staff at nursing facilities. Florida also requires more hours of care per day for each nursing home resident than any other state. This means residents of Floridian nursing homes, on average, receive more attention and care than they would in almost any other state. As a result, Florida nursing homes or skilled nursing units have above-average outcomes in nearly every aspect of patient care. According to a study by U.S. News and World Report, nursing home residents in Florida are less likely to be given antipsychotics. They also have fewer rehospitalizations and falls than nursing home residents in other states.

Federal regulations for nursing homes

Because many skilled nursing services for seniors are funded by the federal government through Medicaid and Medicare, nursing homes or skilled nursing units are more regulated by the federal government than other senior care types. According to the Code of Federal Regulations for long-term care facilities, nursing homes or skilled nursing units are required to do the following:

  • Respect resident rights
  • Provide person-centered care planning
  • Maintain quality of life and care of residents

In fact, Medicare.gov has a public report card for every skilled nursing home and rehabilitation center in the United States. Use Medicare’s provider search tool to find and compare senior care facilities near you.

Florida state regulations for nursing homes

In Florida, nursing homes are also regulated and licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration (also known as the AHCA) — Long Term Care Services Unit. The AHCA’s Bureau of Health Facility Regulation outlines the resident’s rights and requirements that nursing homes must follow, including the following:

  • Nursing homes need to protect the rights of the residents to dignity, self-determination, and communication, as well as provide residents access to people and services outside the facility. This includes the resident’s right to choose their own physician and clothing, as well as maintain their privacy.
  • Florida nursing homes must provide an average of at least 3.6 care hours a day for each resident. A minimum of two of these hours must be from a nursing assistant, and a minimum of one of these hours must be from a licensed nurse.
  • Nursing homes in Florida must undergo at least one unannounced evaluation every 15 months.

You can find a list of every nursing home in Florida with their contact information on the FloridaHealthFinder.gov website. To find information about nursing homes, select “Locate a Facility or Provider.” You can then search for all long-term care facilities in Florida, including skilled nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care. When you click on a facility, it will show information about the capacity, license, history, and location, as well as a list of violations.

Florida’s regulations for other senior care facilities

Assisted living and memory care facilities in Florida are also licensed through the AHCA’s Long Term Care Services Unit, Bureau of Health Facility Regulation. To keep their licensure, assisted living communities need to follow specific guidelines:

  • Residents of assisted living facilities must be able to complete their daily activities with caregiver assistance and cannot require 24-hour medical care.
  • Facilities must be kept in a clean and livable condition.
  • Residents must be given regular, nutritious meals that accommodate their dietary needs.
  • Spouses should be allowed to share a room if they both reside in the same community.
  • Family members and guardians should be contacted at least every 30 days for updates about the resident.

All employees of Florida assisted living communities need to go through a background check. Site administrators must also complete 26 hours of initial training and 12 hours of continuing education every two years. Caregiving staff needs to also complete an infectious disease and care needs training within a month of being hired.

Florida Department of Health contact information

Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) — Long Term Care Services Unit

Brian O. Smith
Manager, 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 Tampa nursing homes

Florida’s state government does not have any COVID-19 mandates specific to nursing homes or skilled nursing units in assisted living facilities. Instead, the Florida COVID-19 Response department offers suggestions about how to identify and manage ill residents, and how to slow the spread of COVID-19 from staff members and visitors. On the Florida COVID-19 Response website, vaccination, testing, and treatment site maps are available. The site also has data about the spread of COVID-19 in Florida, which is updated every two weeks.

Get to know senior living in Tampa, Florida

430Number of in-network assisted living facilities in market
3.2/5.0 average in-network rating
94% of these communities offer on-site nursing
91% of these communities have 24-hour available staff
68% of these communities in Tampa have a doctor on call
66% of these Tampa communities offer day trips and outings
47% of these communities offer devotional activities on-site
5
Number of people we have referred to our partner Tampa senior care homes
81
Average age of residents we have referred to our partner senior care homes in Tampa
Percent of referrals to our partner senior care homes in Tampa that are couples

What to expect from senior care communities in Tampa

Tampa has exceptionally high-quality nursing home care. But, if you’re looking for other senior care options, like assisted living or memory care, Tampa has those, too. In Tampa and the greater Tampa Bay area, there are senior care options to meet almost any need — and some of the wants, too. In this section, you’ll get an overview of what it’s like to live in a Tampa senior community. You’ll find insights into nursing homes or skilled nursing care and other senior care types.

Nursing home or skilled nursing care

Generally, people tend to refer to all senior living communities as nursing homes. However, nursing homes are technically a senior living facility that exclusively provides 24/7 skilled nursing services for medical conditions. Whether it’s a stand-alone nursing home or a skilled nursing wing in a larger senior living community, the available on-site medical care services are the same. Nursing homes or skilled nursing units differ from other senior living types in that they are institutional-like, medical units similar to hospitals.

Most seniors only need skilled nursing services temporarily — either for hospice or to recover from a medical procedure, injury, or illness. And, many assisted living and memory care communities have these skilled nursing wings on-site or offer skilled nursing services to residents in the comfort of their own rooms. A Place for Mom’s Tampa partner senior care communities offer these kinds of skilled nursing services on-site, so the resident doesn’t need to move if their care needs ever evolve to require skilled nursing care.

Tampa is a diverse senior playground

Explaining Tampa’s perennial appeal to seniors is like pointing to a beach speckled with hundreds of different kinds of shells after a storm. You’ll find a little bit of everything, but it’s all grouped together under the tag “senior-friendly.” The comfortable weather is often the first draw for many seniors. Tampa’s average low temperature in January is 53 degrees, which makes it safe for most seniors to spend time outside at any time of the year.

One of the biggest perks to seniors in Tampa is the seniors themselves. While people between the ages of 25 and 39 make up the biggest percentage of Tampa’s population, people 65+ are the second most populous demographic in the Floridian city. In Tampa, finding like-minded senior friends is as easy as going outside and enjoying the sunshine.

Tampa senior living serves up options

A Place for Mom alone partners with 47 assisted living and memory care communities, many with on-site skilled nursing care, within 10 miles of downtown Tampa alone.[01] But, including all assisted living, memory care, senior apartments, and independent living communities, A Place for Mom’s partnerships bump up to a total of 67 senior living communities within a 10-mile radius from Tampa’s city center.[01] At 20 miles, the number of senior living communities nearly triples! In Tampa, seniors can expect to find low-budget or luxury options for any care type — and A Place for Mom can help them find the perfect fit for their needs.

Traditional, stand-alone nursing homes in Tampa

Traditional, stand-alone nursing homes in Tampa are some of the best in the nation. Due to Florida’s high nursing care standards, residents of Tampa nursing homes tend to have better health outcomes and faster recoveries than they would in other states. Medicaid is also automatically granted for eligible residents of Medicaid-approved nursing homes or skilled nursing units, making Tampa an excellent place for seniors who need skilled nursing care.

Assisted living and memory care in Tampa

In the city of Tampa, assisted living and memory care communities provide exceptional care, often in buildings built about 30 to 40 years ago. Tampa’s assisted living and memory care communities are often found together in the same community or on the same campus. This makes transitions easier for seniors as their care needs shift. Many of these communities also have independent living and skilled nursing wings, making them a useful one-stop shop for local seniors looking to age in place.

The neighboring communities in the wider Tampa Bay area offer the same types of care but tend to be newer facilities with more amenities. For example, Wesley Chapel is a quiet, family-forward suburb north of Tampa with plenty of assisted living and memory care communities. The city of Clearwater, about 30 minutes from Tampa, has the highest concentration of all senior living care types. In Clearwater, assisted living and memory care facilities range from being affordable and a little older to luxurious and brand new. All of these Clearwater communities are usually more spacious and are often right on the water — with easy beach access and scenic views.

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Unfamiliar with Tampa? Highlights for seniors

21,013

Number of seniors over the age of 75 living in Tampa, Florida, according to the U.S. Census Bureau

5%
Percentage of seniors 75 and older living in Tampa, Florida, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
10%
Percentage of seniors 75 and older living in Clearwater, Florida, according to the U.S. Census Bureau

Health care for seniors in Tampa, Florida

Tampa has a reputable health care system, and many of the hospitals are nationally recognized for their geriatric and cancer care.

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Tampa General Hospital

A teaching hospital, Tampa General Hospital is nationally ranked for a number of specialties, including ENT care, diabetes and endocrinology, orthopedics, general surgery, and geriatrics.

1 Tampa General Circle
Tampa, FL 33606-3571
Phone: 813-844-7000

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H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute

The H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute is ranked nationally for cancer treatment, geriatrics, GI surgery, and urology.

12902 USF Magnolia Drive
Tampa, FL 33612-9497
Phone: 813-592-3894

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Morton Plant Hospital

Located in Clearwater, Florida, the Morton Plant Hospital is rated No. 7 in the state of Florida.

300 Pinellas St.
Clearwater, FL 33756-3804
Phone: 727-462-7000

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St. Joseph’s Hospital — Tampa

St. Joseph’s Hospital — Tampa is a highly rated regional hospital and surgery center, and it performs highly for lung and colon cancer care.

3001 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33607-6387
Phone: 813-870-4000

Transportation for seniors in Tampa, Florida

Many seniors in Tampa have access to transportation from their senior living communities. In Tampa, almost 78% of our partnering assisted living communities and 50% of our memory care communities offer complimentary transportation to their residents.

The city of Tampa also has one of the only door-to-door transportation systems for the elderly or disabled, called The Sunshine Line. To use it, seniors need to enroll by calling their enrollment number, 813-272-7272.

While being outside is a state-wide pastime in Florida, Tampa is not the most walkable city. Tampa residents usually drive instead of using public transportation, but there is a local bus system. The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) is affordable and somewhat reliable, although most residents find it faster to drive.

A senior woman relaxing on a Florida beach during a sunset

Senior activities in Tampa, Florida

Tampa, Florida, is a vacation destination for people of all ages and interests. But what’s it like to live there as a senior? Unsurprisingly, Tampa’s virtues — amenable weather, natural beauty, history, and an authentically diverse culture — apply to senior activities, too.

Senior care community-led activities

Activities and entertainment are usually organized by the staff of nursing home, assisted living, and memory care communities for residents to enjoy. Local artists often perform for residents, and volunteers lead groups and classes to keep spirits high. Most communities also have on-site fitness classes, game nights, and happy hours. Some even welcome social visitors. Almost all assisted living communities in Tampa offer off-site day trips to keep things fresh for the residents. These outings can be to the beach, local restaurants, museums, performances, and more. The communities make sure to keep these outings and all other planned activities accessible to all residents with special needs.

Tampa’s official senior activities program

The city of Tampa also organizes plenty of activities for their local senior residents through its Parks and Recreation department. Local seniors enjoy a uniquely well-organized and busy activity program suited to their interests. This distinct program puts on weekly classes and events, like water aerobics, bingo, and a quilting club, all at no charge for seniors over 65. Seniors can sign up for and find information about senior-specific local events, classes, and clubs on the Tampa Parks and Recreation website.

Historical and cultural attractions

Besides the beaches, Tampa has a wealth of historical and cultural attractions. Ybor City neighborhood in Tampa is the only National Historic Landmark District in the American South. Visitors can embark and become urban explorers amongst the Spanish and Cuban architecture and learn how the neighborhood put Tampa on the map as the cigar capital of the United States.

The University of Tampa’s campus is another popular historical attraction, even for people unaffiliated with the university, due to its striking Moorish architecture. The historic Tampa Bay Hotel sits in the center of campus, and though it now houses classrooms and offices, it maintains the opulence of its early days and extravagant architecture. Tours are available Monday through Friday, and occasionally on Saturdays.

For seniors interested in the area’s musical culture, the music venue Ruth Eckerd Hall puts on a yearly musical retrospective program. This program brings in popular acts like Elvis impersonators, The Beach Boys, and the Irish Tenors. They also organize musical performances at local senior care communities for exciting on-site entertainment.

Birding

Because of the rich ecological diversity, birding is one of the most popular pastimes for seniors in Tampa. The Tampa Audubon Society, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, is an excellent place to find birds of a feather. The Society puts on regular birding walks and lists the difficulty of the trails beforehand. Anyone can sign up for birding expeditions on the Tampa Audubon Society website. Some of the regular birding routes, like the Circle B Bar Reserve, are even wheelchair accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

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The average cost of Nursing Homes in Tampa is per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.

References

  1. A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.

  2. United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Tampa city [Data set]. American Community Survey.

  3. United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101): Tampa city [Data set]. American Community Survey.

  4. United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101): Clearwater city [Data set]. American Community Survey.

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1.

A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.

2.

United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Tampa city [Data set]. American Community Survey.

3.

United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101): Tampa city [Data set]. American Community Survey.

4.

United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101): Clearwater city [Data set]. American Community Survey.