The 3 Best Memory Care Facilities in Sebastian, FL for 2024

Known for its scenic beauty, Sebastian is a coastal city that’s home to about 25,700 people. Nearly 35% of its population are seniors aged 65 and older, many of whom may be at risk of developing a cognitive condition. In fact, studies from the Alzheimer’s Association show that 1 in 9 American seniors is currently living with dementia.

To minimize the impact of this disease, many communities have adopted Alzheimer’s awareness programs and dementia care initiatives. Sebastian has been successful in its efforts. Data from the CDC shows that the number of Alzheimer’s deaths in the city fell by almost 14% between 2016 and 2020, while the number of all deaths rose by 14%. Memory care facilities can be very helpful, as they offer a safe environment where seniors with dementia have access to 24-hour supervision, personalized care and memory-focused wellness programming.

In this guide, seniors and families can find information to help them navigate their long-term care options. It features an overview of what it’s like to live in Sebastian, how much local memory care communities typically charge for their services and a list of resources that seniors and families can turn to for support.

Memory care facilities in Sebastian operate under the regulation of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, Bureau of Health Facility Regulation. The agency is also responsible for licensing facilities. This requires each memory care community to undergo a biennial inspection to assess whether it is compliant with state and federal rules and regulations.

• The overall cost of living in Sebastian falls below the Florida state median, making it an affordable choice for seniors. Based on the U.S. average of 100, the city receives an index rating of 97.6, while the state average is 103.1. Housing costs are particularly low and health care is quite affordable, though seniors may notice above-average grocery costs.
• Sebastian’s low crime rates may offer peace of mind for seniors and their families. On a scale of up to 100, with 100 representing high crime, the city earns an index rating of 12.7 for violent crime and 29.7 for property crime. These numbers fall below the U.S. averages of 22.7 and 35.4 in the same categories, respectively.
• Seniors can look forward to pleasant winters in Sebastian. The area receives no snowfall, and temperatures tend to stay above 50 degrees. However, it’s worth noting that seniors may experience harsh storms during hurricane season. The area gets plenty of sunshine, and temperatures are known to climb as high as 90 degrees, which is a benefit for those who enjoy warm weather. 
• The state of Florida is known for its tax-friendliness towards retirees. There is no state income tax, which means that all forms of retirement income, including Social Security benefits, pensions, IRAs and 401(k)s, are free from taxation. There are no estate or inheritance taxes in Florida, and sales taxes are moderate.
• Although public transportation options in Sebastian are limited, Indian River County does operate a public transportation system, GoLine, which provides free rides to medical centers, shopping malls and other destinations on its fixed routes. The service only operates during daytime hours and does not run on Sundays.
• Seniors in Sebastian breathe clean and healthy air. The American Lung Association awards the region with an A-rating in terms of the number of high ozone days it sees on an annual basis.
• There is only one major hospital serving seniors in Sebastian. Sebastian River Medical Center offers 24-hour emergency services and is known for specialities such as cardiology and orthopedics.

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.

Memory care communities in Sebastian cost an average of $4,188 per month.

Monthly care costs in Sebastian are around $800 lower than the Florida state median. They’re also over $1,400 lower than costs in the average American city. While rates in nearby Lakeland are slightly less expensive than those in Sebastian, many other communities see much higher rates. For example, costs in Miami are nearly $1,300 more per month, and rates in Palm Bay are almost $1,400 higher than those in Sebastian. Naples, which sees the state’s highest memory care rates, is over $2,400 more expensive than Sebastian.

Seniors may explore other long-term care options, including adult day care. While it only includes daytime assistance, it’s $2,888 less expensive than memory care. As assisted living is less specialized, it’s also a little cheaper, with costs averaging $3,350 per month. Both in-home care and home health care are about $900 more expensive than memory care, though they’re more suitable options for seniors who would prefer to age in place at home rather than live in a residential facility. Nursing homes offer the highest level of care and are nearly double the cost of memory care communities.

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.