The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Largo, FL for 2023

Largo is one of the largest cities in Pinellas County, occupying the space between the Gulf Coast and Old Tampa Bay. More than a quarter of its 82,000-plus residents are 65 years old or more, the age group most at risk of developing a memory loss condition. The most prevalent form is Alzheimer’s, which currently affects 6 million Americans, and is the sixth-leading cause of death in the country. Fortunately, Florida has one of the lowest death rates from Alzheimer’s and the latest figures released by the CDC shows the rate in Largo fell by 8.35% between 2014 and 2018.

Largo’s memory care facilities are structured to be safe and supportive environments for seniors with cognitive impairments. They are staffed round-the-clock by people specially trained to assist vulnerable residents and therapists skilled in the latest techniques to slow down the onset of dementia. The facilities also provide standard residential care services, such as housekeeping staff to keep rooms clean and chefs to freshly prepare nutritious meals. This guide reviews the advantages and disadvantages of living in Largo. It also reveals memory care costs in the area, compares the fees for other types of care and lists some senior-friendly resources.

The Bureau of Health Facility Regulation, a department within the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, is responsible for regulating, monitoring and licensing memory care communities within the state. It grants licenses to applicants who satisfy all the requirements relating to health and safety, staff training, insurance and fire safety. The Bureau also certifies facilities that accept Medicaid and Medicare. 

• Largo’s residents have easy access to 3 hospitals in the city, in addition to the many more medical facilities in the Tampa Bay Area. Largo Medical Center is a 455-bed teaching hospital specializing in many areas of medicine, including heart disease, knee replacement, stroke care and transplants. Bardmoor Emergency Center has an excellent reputation for providing immediate care, with those who need overnight stays referred to Morton Plant Hospital in nearby Clearwater. Largo can also boast of having many more Medicare-registered physicians than normal for the country.
• Largo’s health cost index of 101.4 is above the state and national averages, although not by a significant number. When comparing the overall cost of living in the city, the index is 96, which is notably below the state and national indices of 102.8 and 100, respectively. This suggests that for many in Florida, Largo is a more affordable place to live. 
• With temperatures averaging a pleasantly cool 53 degrees in January and a comfortably warm 93 degrees in July, Largo earns its reputation for having a senior-friendly climate. The city also gets an additional 41 sunny days compared to the U.S. average of 205 and no snow. Rainfall is higher than normal, at 51 inches annually, which can cause humid heat, but it also freshens the environment and contributes to the city’s above-average air quality.
• Crime rates in Largo are generally similar to the state and national averages. The chances of being a victim of a violent crime are 1 in 248 compared to Florida’s average of 1 in 258. For property crime, the figures are 1 in 46 for Largo and 1 in 56 for the state. Seniors and families concerned about the crime rates may want to know that memory care communities typically include comprehensive security systems as standard.
• Neighborly is a nonprofit organization located in Clearwater that provides a transportation service for adults aged 60+ attending medical appointments within a 10-mile radius of their homes. It’s a door-to-door service and all vehicles are suitable for wheelchair users.

Largo’s memory care facility fees are usually between 20-30% more than the assisted living communities they’re within. This is due to several factors, including greater staff-to-resident ratios. The following figures come from using assisted living costs published in the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey and adding 25%. Consequently, Largo’s median fees are below the state average of $5,000 by $812 per month, rising to $1,437 when compared to the nation’s.

With the exception of Lakeland, where costs average $4,125, Largo is the most affordable city for memory care within a 2-hour journey of its limits. Orlando’s costs are the same as the state average and seniors in North Port pay approximately $5,181 per month.

Adult day centers offer the most affordable type of senior care in Largo at $2,123, followed by assisted living at $3,350. Homemaker service companies typically charge $4,767, while a home health aide will likely add another $95 per month to the fee. Nursing homes are the most expensive option, with fees averaging $8,927 for semiprivate rooms and $9,885 for private ones.

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: