The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Merritt Island, FL for 2023
Located on the eastern coast of Florida, Merritt Island is a small island community that’s home to around 34,500 residents. Seniors aged 65 and older make up about 24% of the town’s population. Merritt Island offers a peaceful environment where retirees can enjoy beautiful year-round weather, affordable health care and a waterfront lifestyle. There are plenty of public parks for seniors to visit, as well as many nearby beaches and a national wildlife refuge.
When exploring long-term care options, individuals who require daily assistance may consider assisted living. These communities offer a supportive environment where trained caregivers provide personalized care and help with tasks such as bathing, grooming and medication management. Most also offer daily meals, complimentary transportation and activities programs. In Merritt Island, these communities typically cost $4,461 per month, which is more affordable than the national average but more expensive than the state average.
This guide offers a more in-depth look at assisted living in Merritt Island, including a breakdown of how costs compare to other types of long-term care, some benefits and drawbacks of retiring to the area and a list of organizations that seniors can contact for free/low-cost support services.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Merritt Island, FL
The tour we had went really well. The facility was pretty nice. It was very cozy, very clean, and very nice. The people were very attentive. Cindy was one that gave us the information about the financ
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The tour we had went really well. The facility was pretty nice. It was very cozy, very clean, and very nice. The people were very attentive. Cindy was one that gave us the information about the financing situation and everything. The rooms were pretty big and spacious. So, it’s pretty good for what we were looking for. The menu looked really good, too. They were playing bingo and they had a nice library, and they seemed really happy.
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The tour we had went really well. The facility was pretty nice. It was very cozy, very clean, and very nice. The people were very attentive. Cindy was one that gave us the information about the financ
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The tour we had went really well. The facility was pretty nice. It was very cozy, very clean, and very nice. The people were very attentive. Cindy was one that gave us the information about the financing situation and everything. The rooms were pretty big and spacious. So, it’s pretty good for what we were looking for. The menu looked really good, too. They were playing bingo and they had a nice library, and they seemed really happy.
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i just wanted to let you know that my Mom was in this memory care facility, and she was given the most excellent care. We as a family want to extend our most heartfelt thank you for all the care that
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i just wanted to let you know that my Mom was in this memory care facility, and she was given the most excellent care. We as a family want to extend our most heartfelt thank you for all the care that was given to her. The Kocher Family.
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i just wanted to let you know that my Mom was in this memory care facility, and she was given the most excellent care. We as a family want to extend our most heartfelt thank you for all the care that
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i just wanted to let you know that my Mom was in this memory care facility, and she was given the most excellent care. We as a family want to extend our most heartfelt thank you for all the care that was given to her. The Kocher Family.
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My sister will be moving into Cedar Creek Assisted Living. It is under new ownership. It’s been fully renovated. The rooms are brand new. The halls are bright and clean. They put a lot of money into t
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My sister will be moving into Cedar Creek Assisted Living. It is under new ownership. It’s been fully renovated. The rooms are brand new. The halls are bright and clean. They put a lot of money into the facility. You walk in, and it smells wonderful. Everything is in good repair. The air-conditioning is nice and cold. Everything is dry. The activity room is full of commotion and lots of things going on. The people who live there look very well cared for. I know from what I read, it wasn’t like that before, but it certainly is now. Everything seems to be doing very well now. Everyone was very friendly and very kind. They have a sunroom, an activity room, a beautiful dining room, and a wonderful place outside for everyone to sit. The grounds are very well cared for, and the people seemed very content.
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My sister will be moving into Cedar Creek Assisted Living. It is under new ownership. It’s been fully renovated. The rooms are brand new. The halls are bright and clean. They put a lot of money into t
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My sister will be moving into Cedar Creek Assisted Living. It is under new ownership. It’s been fully renovated. The rooms are brand new. The halls are bright and clean. They put a lot of money into the facility. You walk in, and it smells wonderful. Everything is in good repair. The air-conditioning is nice and cold. Everything is dry. The activity room is full of commotion and lots of things going on. The people who live there look very well cared for. I know from what I read, it wasn’t like that before, but it certainly is now. Everything seems to be doing very well now. Everyone was very friendly and very kind. They have a sunroom, an activity room, a beautiful dining room, and a wonderful place outside for everyone to sit. The grounds are very well cared for, and the people seemed very content.
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My mother was in a larger facility and she needed more care so we found Melodie’s Place and what a different they gave more individual care, she didn’t complain about the food anymore, her hair was cl
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My mother was in a larger facility and she needed more care so we found Melodie’s Place and what a different they gave more individual care, she didn’t complain about the food anymore, her hair was clean and combed, and she was ready with he makeup on and nails polished for appointments. Beautiful view of the river that makes you think its part of heaven. Thank goodness we found this place and it is as good her other place in cocoa.
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My mother was in a larger facility and she needed more care so we found Melodie’s Place and what a different they gave more individual care, she didn’t complain about the food anymore, her hair was cl
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My mother was in a larger facility and she needed more care so we found Melodie’s Place and what a different they gave more individual care, she didn’t complain about the food anymore, her hair was clean and combed, and she was ready with he makeup on and nails polished for appointments. Beautiful view of the river that makes you think its part of heaven. Thank goodness we found this place and it is as good her other place in cocoa.
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Do not take your family members to this place. The owner took over 6000 $ from Me and then 2 1/2 weeks later she dropped my mother off at a hospital without even telling me and told them to find her r
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Do not take your family members to this place. The owner took over 6000 $ from Me and then 2 1/2 weeks later she dropped my mother off at a hospital without even telling me and told them to find her replacement. I go to this residence every single day. So she took her early in the morning before I got there. She refused to give any of the money back even though she did not keep her. My mother did not try to hurt herself or anyone else. She could not give any reason for taking her other than her facility could not handle her Needs. But she refused to give the deposit back or the remainder of the money back for the rest of the month.
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Do not take your family members to this place. The owner took over 6000 $ from Me and then 2 1/2 weeks later she dropped my mother off at a hospital without even telling me and told them to find her r
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Do not take your family members to this place. The owner took over 6000 $ from Me and then 2 1/2 weeks later she dropped my mother off at a hospital without even telling me and told them to find her replacement. I go to this residence every single day. So she took her early in the morning before I got there. She refused to give any of the money back even though she did not keep her. My mother did not try to hurt herself or anyone else. She could not give any reason for taking her other than her facility could not handle her Needs. But she refused to give the deposit back or the remainder of the money back for the rest of the month.
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Owner cannot keep facility staffed. Facility has several state violations. Owner left 4 residents unsupervised. One resident fell, other residents called 911. It was an additional 1.5 hours before
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Owner cannot keep facility staffed. Facility has several state violations. Owner left 4 residents unsupervised. One resident fell, other residents called 911. It was an additional 1.5 hours before owner returned. After incident she scolded residents for calling for help and not waiting for her return. Search Yan Yan on WFTV.COM
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Owner cannot keep facility staffed. Facility has several state violations. Owner left 4 residents unsupervised. One resident fell, other residents called 911. It was an additional 1.5 hours before
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Owner cannot keep facility staffed. Facility has several state violations. Owner left 4 residents unsupervised. One resident fell, other residents called 911. It was an additional 1.5 hours before owner returned. After incident she scolded residents for calling for help and not waiting for her return. Search Yan Yan on WFTV.COM
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The Brennity at Melbourne is a gated independent and assisted living and memory care facility in Melbourne, Florida. It’s surrounded by fields, across from a residential community, minutes from Duran
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The Brennity at Melbourne is a gated independent and assisted living and memory care facility in Melbourne, Florida. It’s surrounded by fields, across from a residential community, minutes from Duran Golf Club, and about a twenty-minute drive from Pineda Beach. Residents and visitors comment on the excellence of the caring, helpful and flexible staff. They’re impressed by the quality and variety of living options and the indoor and outdoor pools. Amenities and activities include hiking trails, yoga, golf, a barber shop, a coffee shop, book clubs and Wii sports.
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The Brennity at Melbourne is a gated independent and assisted living and memory care facility in Melbourne, Florida. It’s surrounded by fields, across from a residential community, minutes from Duran
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The Brennity at Melbourne is a gated independent and assisted living and memory care facility in Melbourne, Florida. It’s surrounded by fields, across from a residential community, minutes from Duran Golf Club, and about a twenty-minute drive from Pineda Beach. Residents and visitors comment on the excellence of the caring, helpful and flexible staff. They’re impressed by the quality and variety of living options and the indoor and outdoor pools. Amenities and activities include hiking trails, yoga, golf, a barber shop, a coffee shop, book clubs and Wii sports.
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We went to Palm Cottages. They have a different style of philosophy. They have 14 or 16 smaller rooms that go around the perimeter of one large central room, which also has a kitchen. As far as the ro
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We went to Palm Cottages. They have a different style of philosophy. They have 14 or 16 smaller rooms that go around the perimeter of one large central room, which also has a kitchen. As far as the rooms are concerned, they were smaller than the other places that we looked at. The grounds looked to be well maintained. The staff was very nice and helpful. We did not sample the food, but each cottage had its own kitchen. We just didn’t feel it was really what we were looking for. They had bingo and other games and they had card tables. You have to leave the building where your unit is and go outside in the weather to get to the amenities.
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We went to Palm Cottages. They have a different style of philosophy. They have 14 or 16 smaller rooms that go around the perimeter of one large central room, which also has a kitchen. As far as the ro
… (read more)
We went to Palm Cottages. They have a different style of philosophy. They have 14 or 16 smaller rooms that go around the perimeter of one large central room, which also has a kitchen. As far as the rooms are concerned, they were smaller than the other places that we looked at. The grounds looked to be well maintained. The staff was very nice and helpful. We did not sample the food, but each cottage had its own kitchen. We just didn’t feel it was really what we were looking for. They had bingo and other games and they had card tables. You have to leave the building where your unit is and go outside in the weather to get to the amenities.
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Sonata Viera Assisted Living is a lovely community based in Melbourne, Florida. It’s just a short distance from Viera East Market Center and the Indian River, and the newly renovated facility offers v
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Sonata Viera Assisted Living is a lovely community based in Melbourne, Florida. It’s just a short distance from Viera East Market Center and the Indian River, and the newly renovated facility offers various room sizes. The community is commended for its holistic approach to senior care, with staff available to residents 24/7, medication assistance and an emergency response system. Residents appreciate the living room, library, arts and crafts studio and full-service hair salon, and reviews praise the well-kept grounds. Animal lovers are pleased to find that small pets are welcome.
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Sonata Viera Assisted Living is a lovely community based in Melbourne, Florida. It’s just a short distance from Viera East Market Center and the Indian River, and the newly renovated facility offers v
… (read more)
Sonata Viera Assisted Living is a lovely community based in Melbourne, Florida. It’s just a short distance from Viera East Market Center and the Indian River, and the newly renovated facility offers various room sizes. The community is commended for its holistic approach to senior care, with staff available to residents 24/7, medication assistance and an emergency response system. Residents appreciate the living room, library, arts and crafts studio and full-service hair salon, and reviews praise the well-kept grounds. Animal lovers are pleased to find that small pets are welcome.
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Alura Senior Living is the place we like the best. The facility was very clean. They have a lot of activities. The rooms are a good size for an assisted living facility. It almost looks like a hotel.
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Alura Senior Living is the place we like the best. The facility was very clean. They have a lot of activities. The rooms are a good size for an assisted living facility. It almost looks like a hotel. It’s beautiful when you go in, but it’s costly. The staff was very nice, knowledgeable, pleasant, patient, and explained everything to us more than once. The rooms were very nice. We looked at the one-bedroom and the two-bedroom. They had a kitchen area that was very nice. It had room for a kitchen table and to put a TV in that same space. You could put a couch in there. They had huge bathrooms. It was very clean, up-to-date, had plenty of room, and was set up for handicapped people with bars. They had balconies.
I had a meal there, and that was delicious. They serve three meals a day, and then you have choices. They have 30 or 40 more items on the menu. They were playing bingo the first time we toured there. They have musicals and happy hours. They have a beauty parlor and an exercise room. They do physical therapy there. They have three nurses on board, and a doctor comes in.
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Alura Senior Living is the place we like the best. The facility was very clean. They have a lot of activities. The rooms are a good size for an assisted living facility. It almost looks like a hotel.
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Alura Senior Living is the place we like the best. The facility was very clean. They have a lot of activities. The rooms are a good size for an assisted living facility. It almost looks like a hotel. It’s beautiful when you go in, but it’s costly. The staff was very nice, knowledgeable, pleasant, patient, and explained everything to us more than once. The rooms were very nice. We looked at the one-bedroom and the two-bedroom. They had a kitchen area that was very nice. It had room for a kitchen table and to put a TV in that same space. You could put a couch in there. They had huge bathrooms. It was very clean, up-to-date, had plenty of room, and was set up for handicapped people with bars. They had balconies.
I had a meal there, and that was delicious. They serve three meals a day, and then you have choices. They have 30 or 40 more items on the menu. They were playing bingo the first time we toured there. They have musicals and happy hours. They have a beauty parlor and an exercise room. They do physical therapy there. They have three nurses on board, and a doctor comes in.
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Discovery Village had both assisted living and memory care. It was a delightful, beautiful place. The people were friendly, and the residents were very happy. They had a new director, and it looks lik
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Discovery Village had both assisted living and memory care. It was a delightful, beautiful place. The people were friendly, and the residents were very happy. They had a new director, and it looks like it’s going great. I went through the memory care, and the people looked in better shape.
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Discovery Village had both assisted living and memory care. It was a delightful, beautiful place. The people were friendly, and the residents were very happy. They had a new director, and it looks lik
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Discovery Village had both assisted living and memory care. It was a delightful, beautiful place. The people were friendly, and the residents were very happy. They had a new director, and it looks like it’s going great. I went through the memory care, and the people looked in better shape.
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Autumn House was very nice and elegant but too expensive. Everything was very nicely arranged, and they pay attention to detail and what the patients need. I talked to the director and secretary, who
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Autumn House was very nice and elegant but too expensive. Everything was very nicely arranged, and they pay attention to detail and what the patients need. I talked to the director and secretary, who were very nice people.
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Autumn House was very nice and elegant but too expensive. Everything was very nicely arranged, and they pay attention to detail and what the patients need. I talked to the director and secretary, who
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Autumn House was very nice and elegant but too expensive. Everything was very nicely arranged, and they pay attention to detail and what the patients need. I talked to the director and secretary, who were very nice people.
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This is a small 6 bed facility with a great waterfront view. Magnolia house has the best staff and every resident gets wonderful individualized care. The house is always very clean and meals are home
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This is a small 6 bed facility with a great waterfront view. Magnolia house has the best staff and every resident gets wonderful individualized care. The house is always very clean and meals are home cooked. This is just hands down one of the best places. My mom loved that it is a quite home environment!! I just can not say enough wonderful things about magnolia house. Their is nothing like your parent spending their last days being cared for and loved the way the staff did for my mom.
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This is a small 6 bed facility with a great waterfront view. Magnolia house has the best staff and every resident gets wonderful individualized care. The house is always very clean and meals are home
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This is a small 6 bed facility with a great waterfront view. Magnolia house has the best staff and every resident gets wonderful individualized care. The house is always very clean and meals are home cooked. This is just hands down one of the best places. My mom loved that it is a quite home environment!! I just can not say enough wonderful things about magnolia house. Their is nothing like your parent spending their last days being cared for and loved the way the staff did for my mom.
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Earning a Caring Star means this community is among the best Senior Living commuities in America.
COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in Merritt Island
Since most COVID-19 rules for Assisted Living Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Assisted Living in Florida. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
What to Consider About Assisted Living in Merritt Island
Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration, Bureau of Health Facility Regulation is responsible for overseeing the licensing and operation of assisted living facilities in Merritt Island. When applying for a license, facilities must undergo an initial inspection to confirm that they are compliant with the established laws and regulations. Follow-up inspections must be completed at least every 2 years.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Merritt Island
Merritt Island is a coastal paradise known for its warm and sunny year-round climate. Winters are especially pleasant, as there is no snowfall and temperatures don’t fall below 49 degrees. Summer temperatures can climb as high as 90 degrees, which is more comfortable than many Florida cities that see very hot and humid weather during the summer months.
The region also boasts high air quality. The American Lung Association gives the area A-ratings in the categories of high ozone days and 24-hour particle pollution.
With an index score of 103.7, the overall cost of living in Merritt Island is comparable to the Florida state median of 103.1. However, it is slightly more expensive than the average American city (100). This is largely due to the area’s high housing costs. Fortunately, transportation costs are about 14% lower than the national average, and health care costs are moderate.
Florida’s low taxes can help offset seniors’ living expenses. As there is no state income tax, seniors do not have to pay taxes on retirement income generated from Social Security benefits, government pensions, IRAs and 401(k)s. Florida seniors are also free from paying estate and inheritance tax.
Seniors can access local destinations and nearby communities using Space Coast Area Transit. The public transportation system offers fixed route services around Merritt Island and a curb-to-curb paratransit service. Seniors 60 and up are eligible for reduced fares.
Crime rates in Merritt Island are a bit above average. Measured on a scale from 1 to 100, the town receives an index rating of 25.8 for violent crime, which is several points higher than the national average of 22.7. In terms of property-related offenses, its score of 47.2 is quite a bit higher than the U.S. average of 35.4. However, most assisted living facilities have advanced security systems and video surveillance to keep residents safe.
Paying for Assisted Living in Merritt Island
The average cost of assisted living communities in Merritt Island is $4,461 per month.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
Compared to the state median, care costs in Merritt Island are more than $400 higher. They are, however, slightly lower than the national average of $4,500. In nearby Orlando, rates are on par with the state average of $4,000. Lakeland is even more affordable, with rates over $1,000 below those in Merritt Island. However, Merritt Island is a less expensive option than Jacksonville, where rates are around $200 higher. The town also sees lower costs than The Villages, where seniors typically pay over $5,200 per month.
$4461
Merritt Island
$4000
Florida
$4500
United States
$4000
Orlando
$3300
Lakeland
$5208
The Villages
$4660
Jacksonville
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Adult day care offers light, part-time assistance at the affordable rate of $1,408 per month, which is over $3,000 less than assisted living. In-home care and home health care are around $300 more expensive than assisted living, though they’re ideal for seniors who wish to remain living at home rather than in a residential setting. Base rates for nursing care are over $5,200 higher than assisted living costs, though they include 24-hour supervision and specialized skilled nursing care.
$4767
In-Home Care
$4767
Home Health Care
$1408
Adult Day Health Care
$4461
Assisted Living Facility
$9688
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
Note:Data for Merritt Island was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Palm Bay, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Merritt Island
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 & Low-Cost Assisted Living Resources in Merritt Island
Seniors in Merritt Island may require additional assistance with managing their long-term care needs. The following organizations offer free and low-cost services and programs to help seniors stay happy, healthy and safe in their communities.
Aging Matters in Brevard is the region's lead agency for senior services. It provides a range of free programs, including a senior lunch program, transportation services, health education workshops and senior volunteer opportunities. The agency also operates a caregiver resource center.
This nonprofit offers free care management services to help seniors and families locate resources and understand their long-term care options. It also hosts a social dining program for individuals aged 60 and older as well as a coffee program that gives assisted living residents an opportunity to socialize with community members.
As the regional Aging & Disability Resource Center, the SRA helps seniors and families locate resources in their communities, such as Medicare assistance, long-term care options counseling, nutrition programs and caregiver support. The organization's Elder Helpline is free to call and available 24/7 for information and referrals.
Helping Seniors of Brevard helps older adults access information, education and resources. The nonprofit runs a comprehensive media outreach program that delivers senior-focused educational content in the form of newsletters, television shows, radio programs and podcasts. It also operates a free information helpline that provides case management and referral services.
Seniors can visit One Senior Place for information, health products and referral services. Specialists are available to provide free one-on-one consultations, and the center hosts daily seminars and educational events on a variety of aging topics. There's also a free on-site resource library that seniors can utilize.
Through this statewide program, trained volunteers work to advocate for the quality of care seniors receive in long-term care facilities, such as assisted living communities. They work with residents to address concerns, resolve disputes and educate individuals on their rights
With its network of more than 400 volunteer attorneys, this nonprofit firm provides free legal aid to low-income seniors on matters such as guardianship, consumer law, elder abuse and bankruptcy. It also hosts clinics on topics such as government health benefits and wills.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Merritt Island
Merritt Island 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.
Recent Reviews of Assisted Living in Merritt Island
Review of Cedar Creek Assisted Living
My sister will be moving into Cedar Creek Assisted Living. It is under new ownership. It's been fully renovated. The rooms are brand new. The halls are bright and clean. They put a lot of money int...
Read more
Review of Sodalis Merritt Island
The tour we had went really well. The facility was pretty nice. It was very cozy, very clean, and very nice. The people were very attentive. Cindy was one that gave us the information about the fin...
Read more
Review of Cedar Creek Assisted Living
My mother will be moving into Cedar Creek Assisted Living in a couple of weeks. I like that it's small, so they get more one-on-one. That's the best part of it. The rooms are great, very open, and ...
Read more
The decision to help an aging adult move out of a current home is a complex one -- both emotionally and practically. Above all, you want the person to be safe and well. How can you all feel more co...
The first step to finding the best senior housing for your loved one is to understand what type of care facility is the best fit. There are six main types of residential elder care options:
_[Inde...
As you're weighing senior care options for your loved one, cost is likely a top factor. The good news? Depending on what care your loved one needs, assisted living can be much more affordable than ...
If you're shopping for assisted living, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the levels of care, as the monthly rate for assisted living will depend on the level of care that the resident requi...
