The Best Memory Care Communities in Clay County, FL

Clay County is located at the northeastern corner of the Florida Panhandle with Green Cover Springs as the county seat. The population is 212,230, and the number of seniors aged 65 and older living in the county with Alzheimer's disease is currently estimated to be 3,730, but that figure is expected to increase by 25 percent by 2025.

Those people with severe cognitive impairment may need to be housed in an assisted living facility that has been licensed by the state to provide treatment. The state also regulates and inspects these facilities to make sure they are providing the kind of care these patients require. Facilities offering extended congregate care are called ECCs. There are four ECC-licensed facilities in the Clay County area.

• The cost of living in Clay County is 108, which is only 8 points higher than the U.S. median. All categories are within a few points of the average, so families looking for an ECC in this area should not expect to pay extra for basic living expenses.
• Clay County receives an average of 52 inches of rain per year. There are approximately 221 sunny days every year in Clay County, which is 16 more than the U.S. average and very pleasant for older folks with painful joints or respiratory diseases. Summer highs top out at 92 degrees, and winter temperatures get as low as 44. Sperling's Comfort Index for the area is 76 out of 100.
• Because Florida does not have a state income tax, families may find more money to spend on care for their senior relatives who wish to age in place and are living with Alzheimer's disease, dementia or another form of cognitive impairment.
• The violent crime rate in Clay County is 9 points higher than the U.S. average at 40.9 to 31.1, respectively, and the property crime rate is close to equal at 38.3 compared to 38.1. Families who are worried about their loved ones should ask prospective ECCs what type of safety measures are in place to safeguard the residents from crime.

Memory Care costs in Clay County start around $5,369 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,743 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Clay County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

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

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.

Clay County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Florida are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Florida page for more information about these laws.