Memory Care Communities in Fort Myers, Florida

Memory care facilities in the Fort Myers region charge $5,418 per month for specialized dementia care. While this rate exceeds Florida’s norm of $5,000, it comes lower than the national average of $5,625. While local care costs fall 18% below norms in Naples, seniors may find more affordable options in other nearby cities. For example, in North Port, rates average 4% below care costs in Fort Myers, and in Port St. Lucie, monthly norms come in 13% below Fort Myers’ rate. Similarly, care costs in Punta Gorda compete with Fort Myers’ norm, with seniors paying $4,188 for services.

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we've estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth's 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

In Fort Myers, memory care residents expect to pay approximately $5,418 per month for 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.

In Fort Myers, memory care rates average $5,418 per month, surpassing most other senior care options in cost. This is slightly higher than the $5,196 charged by agencies for in-home care and home health care. Assisted living, offering housing and personal care, costs about 20% less than memory care. Conversely, adult day health care, providing daytime support, is significantly more affordable at $1,603 per month. However, compared to nursing homes, which provide extensive care starting at $9,186, memory care can be considered a more economical option.

The Agency for HealthCare Administration, Bureau of Health Facility Regulation, licenses all memory care facilities in Fort Myers and the rest of Florida. These facilities officially operate as assisted living facilities, but the department subjects them to increased requirements for staffing, staff training, care planning and security. The department also investigates reports of substandard care or housing conditions. 

• The American Lung Association reports good air quality in the Fort Myers region, making the city a viable option for prospective memory care residents with heart or lung conditions. The organization gives Lee County a B for ozone pollution and an A for 24-hour particle pollution, and it reports just 1 day annually in which pollution levels may be high enough to affect vulnerable individuals.
• Fort Myers has dementia-friendly initiatives through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, promoting a welcoming environment for seniors and families facing a dementia diagnosis. Residents may find a range of services and supports, such as options counseling, benefits screening and financial and legal advice, to help them navigate dementia care.
• Fort Myers houses Lee Memorial Hospital, a 290-bed acute care hospital that serves as a designated Chest Pain Center and a Certified Primary Stroke Center. Additionally, the hospital offers a state-funded Memory Disorder Clinic, which provides free memory testing, diagnostic services and educational opportunities.
• Fort Myers has warm weather throughout the year, with daytime temperatures ranging from 74 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit. Residents experience the hottest, rainiest weather between mid-May and early October, although temperatures trend lower from December through February. Humidity levels tend to be highest during the summer months but remain noticeable throughout the year. Fortunately, memory care facilities provide indoor activities throughout the year to support residents’ comfort.
• Fort Myers has more crime than a typical U.S. city, which may be a concern for vulnerable seniors who live alone. On a 100-point crime index, the city scores 53.8 for violent crime, more than double the national norm of 22.7. Property crime has a similarly high score of 43.9 versus 35.4 nationally. To promote residents’ security, memory care facilities have alarm systems and surveillance cameras.
• The cost of living in Fort Myers reflects the state norm but exceeds the national average. On an index set to a national norm of 100, the city scores 104.2 compared to Florida’s average of 103.1. Fortunately, the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-term Care Program can help qualified individuals pay for memory care.