The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Fort Myers, FL for 2023

Memory care is of increasing importance in Fort Myers, Florida, where 18 percent of the community's 80,000 residents are over 62. The Florida Department of Elder Affairs reports that nearly 15,000 residents in Lee County have cognitive disabilities, and it estimates that there are over 20,000 probable cases of Alzheimer's disease among senior citizens in the county. To meet the physical and mental needs of dementia patients, Fort Myers is home to more than a dozen memory care facilities. The state issues three specialty health care licenses to accredited communities that provide limited mental health services, limited nursing services or extended congregate care.

• The Cape Coral-Fort Myers-Naples area is the nation's 11th cleanest region based on annual particulate levels according to the American Lung Association. Fort Myers also scored well based on the number of high-ozone days and short-term particulate concentrations. The community's excellent air quality is favorable for seniors because older adults are more susceptible to pollution, especially those who have been diagnosed with asthma, COPD or lung cancer.
• The climate in Fort Myers benefits snowbirds and full-time residents. Average winter lows are around 52 degrees while summer highs regularly soar above 90 degrees. Residents enjoy 271 days of sunshine compared to the U.S. average of 205. Based on the number of days between 70 and 80 degrees, the community has a Sperling's comfort index of 82, which is 28 points higher than the typical American city.
• Florida is one of seven states without personal income tax. It does not tax Social Security retirement benefits, pensions or investments made through an individual retirement account or company-sponsored 401(k). This generous policy allows seniors to keep more of their hard-earned savings to use for medical treatments, memory care, personal assistance or living expenses.
• In the event of an emergency or illness, Fort Myers is home to several groundbreaking medical centers specializing in brain health and dementia care. Local facilities include the Neuropsychiatric Research Center, Mind and Brain Care and the Lee Health System, which is one of 16 state-funded memory care clinics dedicated to diagnosing and managing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.

Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Fort Myers

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

More Ways to Pay for Memory Care

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.

Fort Myers and the surrounding area are home to numerous government agencies and non-profit organizations offering help for seniors searching for or currently residing in a memory care 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 memory care resources in Fort Myers, please visit our Memory Care in Florida page.

Fort Myers-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.