Surrounded by lakes and state forests, Ocala is part of Marion County in north-central Florida. The United States Census estimates that the city is home to 11,306 seniors over the age of 65, accounting for about 18% of its 60,786 residents. Ocala’s older adults benefit from an extensive health care system that includes Ocala Regional and West Marion Community Hospital, both of which have ranked in the top 100 hospitals in the country for orthopedic surgery. The city’s overall cost of living is relatively low compared to state and national figures, and at $8,187 per month, seniors in Ocala save thousands of dollars a year on nursing home care compared to seniors across the state.
Nursing homes predominantly assist seniors with chronic illnesses and disabilities requiring constant medical supervision from physicians and registered nurses. Going beyond assistance with daily living activities, nursing homes usually offer IV therapy, wound care, on-site rehabilitation and other care services that seniors wouldn’t receive with the same level of attention at an assisted living community or through home health care.
This guide provides a snapshot of the costs of senior care in Ocala as well as resources seniors can utilize to make care more affordable.