The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Gainesville, FL for 2024

There are 16,286 people aged 65 and over living in Gainesville according to the U.S. Census Bureau. With seniors accounting for just 11.6% of the total population — compared to Florida's overall average of 21.1% — the city has thus far avoided large numbers of fatalities caused by dementia. Statistics reported by the CDC indicate an upsurge in recent years, however, with Gainesville experiencing a 97.8% increase in Alzheimer's-related deaths from 2016 to 2020. According to the Alzheimer's Association, dementia is the underlying cause of death for one in three seniors nationwide, although Florida's mortality rate is significantly lower than the U.S. average.

Seniors with Alzheimer's generally need more help as the disease progresses, making dementia care facilities the best option in many cases. Also referred to as memory care communities, these facilities provide a secure environment and 24/7 assistance from caregivers, as well as activities and programming designed to maintain and improve an individual's cognitive functions. This guide compares the average cost of Gainesville's memory care facilities with those in nearby cities and discusses the financial and community support services available.

The Bureau of Health Facility Regulation oversees the licensing and monitoring of assisted living facilities in Gainesville, including memory care facilities. These facilities must meet special conditions to care for those with cognitive issues, including creating a community living support plan that details each person’s specific needs.

• Health care is very accessible in Gainesville. The city is home to six hospitals, including the North Florida Regional Medical Center and the UF Health Shands Hospital. University of Florida Health in Gainesville is home to the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, which specializes in dementia, Alzheimer’s and memory disorders.
• In addition to the number of hospitals and specialized health care institutions, Gainesville has over 100 physicians who specialize in the treatment of Alzheimer’s. Although the average patient rating given to the group is 3.8 out of 5, there are plenty of members who have multiple five-star ratings from the patients they treat and their caregivers.
• For those who appreciate warm weather, Gainesville is a good place to live. It offers 224 sunny days per year and no snow in the winter months. Summers can get hot though, with July and August temperatures typically over 90 degrees. During the rest of the year, the warm, sunny climate is ideal for seniors who like to relax outdoors.
• Gainesville’s crime rate is higher than the national and state average at 52.4 on a 100-point index. That number is driven mainly by an increase in theft and vandalism, which should not have an impact on those living in memory care facilities. Crime rates are also affected by the University of Florida, which is located in the city.
• The Central and North Florida chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association serves Gainesville’s senior population affected by cognitive disorders and offers a variety of programs and educational resources designed to help them and their caregivers. The state as a whole has prioritized Alzheimer’s and other related dementia issues through the Department of Health’s ADRD program, and it’s the only state in the country to have it as a standalone priority.

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we’ve estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

The average monthly cost for memory care in Gainesville is $2,938.

Gainesville is very affordable for those seeking memory care facilities. The city’s average monthly cost is $2,062 less than the state and $2,687 less than the U.S. as a whole. It’s also cheaper than most nearby cities. Memory care in Ocala, for example, costs $1,875 more per month. Jacksonville’s monthly average cost is $2,887 higher, and Tampa’s is $1,250 more than Gainesville.

Memory care in Gainesville is one of the most affordable long-term care options. Adult day health care and assisted living facilities are a bit cheaper at $1,535 and $588 less per month, respectively, but in-home care is $1,543 per month more expensive, and home health care is $1,638 more. Nursing home facilities are the most expensive option for long-term care. A semiprivate room runs an average of $5,275 per month more than a memory care facility, and that number jumps to $6,035 more for a private room.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Florida page.