Caring.com
Caring.com

(800) 558-0653

The 5 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Fort Walton Beach, FL for 2024

 

Located on the Florida panhandle, Fort Walton Beach is a small coastal city known for its beautiful beaches and amazing weather. It has a low cost of living and plenty of parks and golf courses, which makes it an ideal option for budget-minded seniors who love outdoor recreation and water activities. Of the 20,998 residents, 18.5% are aged 65 or older. These residents are served by two nearby hospitals that provide specialty services in a stroke center, a cancer care center and orthopedic facilities.

Assisted living communities in Fort Walton Beach cost about $4,924 per month, which is higher than the state average, but comparable to nearby cities. These communities are preferred by seniors who only need minimal daily assistance and wish to remain as independent as possible. Caring staff assists residents with daily personal routines through services such as housekeeping and meal preparation, and residents can take advantage of a diverse activities calendar that encourages community involvement.

This guide showcases the pros and cons of living in Fort Walton Beach and the various costs of care. Seniors and their families can also discover resources for special programs such as meal delivery, long-term care advocacy and volunteer opportunities.

What you can do with Caring

  • Search the Caring database

    Quickly search the largest online senior living and senior care directory

  • Read reviews and expert guidance

    Read our authentic consumer reviews and content by experts

  • Speak to a Family Advisor for free

    Guided, expert advice to find the best community or agency for you

  • Take a tour to decide yourself

    We’ll help you book tours or get in touch with local agencies

Assisted Living Facilities in Fort Walton Beach, Florida

7 Results


Pets AllowedPhysical TherapyPool / Hot TubVeterans Benefits

Filters

7 Results

Sort By

Didn't find what you were looking for?

Caring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.

Call us at (855) 948-3865

What to Consider About Assisted Living in Fort Walton Beach

Licensing for assisted living communities in Fort Walton Beach is overseen by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). This state agency ensures all facilities comply with the established state regulations and standards to safeguard the health, safety and well-being of residents. They conduct inspections, investigate complaints and work to enforce quality care and services for all.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Fort Walton Beach

 

  • There are 232 physicians per capita in Fort Walton Beach, which is higher than the national average of 210. Health care costs are just a shade lower than the U.S. average, and the city's primary hospital offers quality care for seniors. HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is a top-performing facility offering an advanced primary stroke center and cancer care center. USAF Regional Hospital is located on Eglin Air Force Base and is available to veterans or active military.
  • The cost of living in Fort Walton Beach is 3% lower than the nation's average. Housing, groceries and transportation are affordable compared to other areas along the Gulf Coast. The lack of state income tax helps keep a budget in check for seniors still earning any kind of wage.
  • In addition to the outdoor recreation connected to the beach, Fort Walton Beach also boasts six parks, 22 golf courses, four movie theaters and 11 malls or shopping centers nearby. This provides ample opportunities for entertainment and leisure.
  • Fort Walton Beach has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Rainfall occurs the most during the summer and averages around 66 inches, while there is no snow during the winter. Despite being prone to hurricanes, the area allows seniors to play golf and enjoy the outdoors year-round. The air quality index is higher than the national average, which makes it an excellent choice for those with respiratory illnesses.
  • The violent crime rate in Fort Walton Beach is significantly lower than the nation's average of 22.7 and sits at just 17.1 on a 100-point scale. Property crime is only a little higher at 44 against the national average of 35.4, but assisted living communities are among the safest areas due to their enhanced security measures and 24/7 monitoring, so seniors can rest assured they are protected.

 

Paying for Assisted Living in Fort Walton Beach

 

The current cost of assisted living services in Fort Walton Beach, FL, is $4,924 per month.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

Assisted living care in Fort Walton Beach costs $924 more than the state average and is $424 over the national average, but it's comparable to nearby cities. When looking at other cities along the panhandle, Fort Walton Beach is a little less expensive than Panama City, which costs $157 more. The other two closest cities are Pensacola, which is $600 less, and the capital city of Tallahassee, which is lower than Fort Walton Beach by only $274.

Fort Walton Beach

$4,924

Florida

$4,000

United States

$4,500

Panama City

$5,081

Pensacola

$4,323

Tallahassee

$4,650

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

When it comes to long-term care in Fort Walton Beach, assisted living is the most affordable option. For seniors who wish to remain in their own homes, they can choose from nonmedical in-home care at $5,005 per month or home health care provided by licensed medical professionals at $5,053 per month. The highest-cost option is a semiprivate nursing home room for $7,908 per month, but this includes 24/7 skilled nursing care.

In-Home Care

$5,005

Home Health Care

$5,053

Assisted Living Facility

$4,924

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$7,908

Note: Data for Fort Walton Beach was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Crestview, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Fort Walton Beach

The Statewide Managed Medicaid Care Long-Term Care program offers financial assistance to individuals who require an AFL. The Assistive Care Services program is another state program that is available to eligible individuals. A person may qualify for one or both programs, but those who utilize both programs must have a service plan in place that dictates which program pays for each service.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Florida page.

Financial Assistance in Florida

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

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

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

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Florida page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Fort Walton Beach

Fort Walton Beach and the surrounding area are home to numerous government agencies and non-profit organizations offering help for seniors searching for or currently residing in an assisted living community. These organizations can also provide assistance in a number of other eldercare services such as geriatric care management, elder law advice, estate planning, finding home care and health and wellness programs.

To see a list of free assisted living resources in Fort Walton Beach, please visit our Assisted Living in Florida page.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Fort Walton Beach

 

Fort Walton Beach Assisted Living Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Assisted Living Facilities in Florida are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Florida page for more information about these laws.

Laws and Regulations in Florida

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

Shirley

I visited this facility

Review of Meridian at Westwood

I was impressed with the tour at Meridian at Westwood. I liked the size of the rooms or apartments that were available. I liked it, but I'm not too sure if it was appropriate for my dad. It was...

Provider response

Hi Shirley, we are so glad our team could exceed all of your expectations. Thank you for taking the time to leave this positive review for our community! We look forward to seeing you again at...

Read more

Assisted Living

Brian

I visited this facility

Review of Meridian at Westwood

Meridian at Westwood was great and had friendly people. There's a huge covered open atrium where everybody gets down there to hang around, play games, and do exercise classes. It was awesome. The...

Provider response

Hi Brian, thank you very much for taking the time to leave us this positive review for our team at Meridian at Westwood. We look forward to your next visit! Until then, take care!

Read more

Assisted Living

Roberta

I visited this facility

Review of Bay Port of Fort Walton Beach

Bay Port of Fort Walton Beach is brand new, so everything is immaculate, and it looks nice. I can't remember the name of the person who showed me around and talked to me, but she was very friendly...

Read more

Helpful Articles

Assisted Living near Fort Walton Beach, FL

ShalimarNicevilleMiramar BeachSanta Rosa BeachCrestviewMilton

Other Options in Fort Walton Beach, FL

Business Owners

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Our Services

  • Senior Living Directory

  • Senior Care Directory

  • Caregiving Resources

  • Sitemap

  • Terms of Use

  • Privacy Policy


© 2024 Caring, LLC. All rights reserved.