The Best Memory Care Communities in Okaloosa County, FL

Some 202,970 people reside in Okaloosa County, and 15.7 percent of them are aged 65 or older, which equals more than 30,000 residents. According to Elder Affairs, about 4,150 people in the county are living with Alzheimer's disease or some other dementia-related condition, and that number is expected to rise.

Florida has about 540,000 seniors currently, but it's estimated that by 2025, more than 720,000 seniors will live in the state. These people may require specialized care, and per state regulations, assisted living facilities are required to obtain a supplemental license to become an extended congregate care (ECC) facility that can treat residents who have cognitive impairments. Six ECC are in the area with three in Ft. Walton and one in Niceville.

• Okaloosa County averages 67 inches of rain annually with no snow. It has 226 sunny days, which is 21 more than the U.S. average. The low winter temperature is 41 degrees, and the summertime high is 89. The county scores 75 on the Sperling Comfort Index, which is attractive to seniors, especially those with painful joints.
  
• The cost of living of 99.4 is almost equal to the U.S. average of 100. Since seniors may require continuous healthcare for dementia, families should remember that those expenses in Okaloosa County are congruent with the national average.
  
• On a scale of one to 100, with one being lowest and 100 being highest, Okaloosa County ranks exactly the same as the national violent crime average of 31.1. Its 55.3 rating in property crime is 17 points higher than the U.S. average of 38.1. Families should ask any prospective ECC about extra protection for elderly residents, such as security doors, closed circuit cameras and guards.
  
• Florida is among the most tax-friendly states in the nation. Residents do not pay any state income taxes, so families may find extra money in their budgets to spend on healthcare.

Memory Care costs in Okaloosa County start around $4,148 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Okaloosa 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.

Okaloosa 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.