The Tampa metro area sprawls along the eastern coast of Florida, encompassing the cities of Clearwater and St. Petersburg and a myriad of small communities. More than 1.5 million people live in this metropolis, and more than 200,000 of them are seniors, a portion of whom have some level of dementia. Between 2014-2018, dementia deaths in Tampa increased by an astonishing 71%, from 336 in 2014 to 525 just four years later.
Memory care services can help reduce the deaths caused by dementia. In memory care communities, seniors have access to specialized therapies designed to maintain or improve cognitive functions, allowing seniors to live longer with their full faculties.
In this comprehensive memory care guide, we discuss the benefits and drawbacks of living in Tampa as a senior with dementia, the financial cost of memory care in the area and how to find financial assistance to cover that cost. We also provide a list of free or low-cost resources for seniors with dementia and their families.
Memory Care Facilities in Tampa, FL
2626 W. Bearss Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33618
3401 West Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL, 33618
Absolutely terrible! We moved my mother-in-law out of there today. Her room was filthy! There was poop on her mattress, they just flipped it over, poop on her fabric chair! To know that she was sleepi
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Absolutely terrible! We moved my mother-in-law out of there today. Her room was filthy! There was poop on her mattress, they just flipped it over, poop on her fabric chair! To know that she was sleeping in a room full of poop is disgusting! I guess they thought since COVID that no one was watching! We haven’t been allowed in her room for a year!!! After the price of her monthly cost almost doubled, we decided to move her out. I guess the extra care we were paying for was just BS!! So terribly disappointed in this facility. Started out good and then went to this?!?! They don’t even deserve one star!
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Absolutely terrible! We moved my mother-in-law out of there today. Her room was filthy! There was poop on her mattress, they just flipped it over, poop on her fabric chair! To know that she was sleepi
… (read more)
Absolutely terrible! We moved my mother-in-law out of there today. Her room was filthy! There was poop on her mattress, they just flipped it over, poop on her fabric chair! To know that she was sleeping in a room full of poop is disgusting! I guess they thought since COVID that no one was watching! We haven’t been allowed in her room for a year!!! After the price of her monthly cost almost doubled, we decided to move her out. I guess the extra care we were paying for was just BS!! So terribly disappointed in this facility. Started out good and then went to this?!?! They don’t even deserve one star!
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1513 West Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33612
Atrium Gardens has been such a great decision for our family. From the very first visit, we felt very comfortable and at ease that our father would be taken well care of. It’s been over a year now, an
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Atrium Gardens has been such a great decision for our family. From the very first visit, we felt very comfortable and at ease that our father would be taken well care of. It’s been over a year now, and the staff (from top to bottom), have always been available to answer questions and are transparent sharing updates. I appreciate the care and commitment they always take with my dad. It’s been a true blessing – thanks Atrium!
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Atrium Gardens has been such a great decision for our family. From the very first visit, we felt very comfortable and at ease that our father would be taken well care of. It’s been over a year now, an
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Atrium Gardens has been such a great decision for our family. From the very first visit, we felt very comfortable and at ease that our father would be taken well care of. It’s been over a year now, and the staff (from top to bottom), have always been available to answer questions and are transparent sharing updates. I appreciate the care and commitment they always take with my dad. It’s been a true blessing – thanks Atrium!
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2301 W Palm Dr, Tampa, FL, 33606
I think The Estate At Hyde Park is a first-class place. The staff who accommodated me was very good. Everything about it was first class. Residents were doing a little activity, but I didn’t pay atten
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I think The Estate At Hyde Park is a first-class place. The staff who accommodated me was very good. Everything about it was first class. Residents were doing a little activity, but I didn’t pay attention to it. The room was very nice.
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I think The Estate At Hyde Park is a first-class place. The staff who accommodated me was very good. Everything about it was first class. Residents were doing a little activity, but I didn’t pay atten
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I think The Estate At Hyde Park is a first-class place. The staff who accommodated me was very good. Everything about it was first class. Residents were doing a little activity, but I didn’t pay attention to it. The room was very nice.
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14950 Casey Rd, Tampa, FL, 33624
Arden Courts of Tampa is close to my home. I’m only using it for respite so it would be easy for me to go back and forth. I liked the setup and the way it was arranged. I liked the staff; the marketin
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Arden Courts of Tampa is close to my home. I’m only using it for respite so it would be easy for me to go back and forth. I liked the setup and the way it was arranged. I liked the staff; the marketing person stopped by the house to see us and meet my husband. They said I could bring him in on certain days so he could get familiar with the place, which is good. They have a menu, but the clients have the option to have something else. They have socials, like ice cream socials and coffee socials. The staff was very friendly and open to considering my questions. Their facility is broken into different units with individual rooms for social gatherings.
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Arden Courts of Tampa is close to my home. I’m only using it for respite so it would be easy for me to go back and forth. I liked the setup and the way it was arranged. I liked the staff; the marketin
… (read more)
Arden Courts of Tampa is close to my home. I’m only using it for respite so it would be easy for me to go back and forth. I liked the setup and the way it was arranged. I liked the staff; the marketing person stopped by the house to see us and meet my husband. They said I could bring him in on certain days so he could get familiar with the place, which is good. They have a menu, but the clients have the option to have something else. They have socials, like ice cream socials and coffee socials. The staff was very friendly and open to considering my questions. Their facility is broken into different units with individual rooms for social gatherings.
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18600 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy, Tampa, FL, 33647
16702 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL, 33618
Tampa Gardens is nestled between the peaceful neighborhoods of Lake Heather and Cypress Meadows in Tampa, Florida. Residents and visitors love that the staff at this facility are friendly, helpful and
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Tampa Gardens is nestled between the peaceful neighborhoods of Lake Heather and Cypress Meadows in Tampa, Florida. Residents and visitors love that the staff at this facility are friendly, helpful and diligent. They also like that the accommodations at Tampa Gardens are clean, stylish and well-furnished. Residents especially enjoy exercising in the community fitness room, where they can partake in yoga and weight-training classes. The community receives praise for its schedule of bingo and card games, cooking classes and ice-cream socials, as well as regular group outings.
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Tampa Gardens is nestled between the peaceful neighborhoods of Lake Heather and Cypress Meadows in Tampa, Florida. Residents and visitors love that the staff at this facility are friendly, helpful and
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Tampa Gardens is nestled between the peaceful neighborhoods of Lake Heather and Cypress Meadows in Tampa, Florida. Residents and visitors love that the staff at this facility are friendly, helpful and diligent. They also like that the accommodations at Tampa Gardens are clean, stylish and well-furnished. Residents especially enjoy exercising in the community fitness room, where they can partake in yoga and weight-training classes. The community receives praise for its schedule of bingo and card games, cooking classes and ice-cream socials, as well as regular group outings.
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5130 Kelly Road, Tampa, FL, 33615
Overpriced for the quality of service that is provided to its residents. Also, there is absolutely NO diversity within the staff.
Overpriced for the quality of service that is provided to its residents. Also, there is absolutely NO diversity within the staff.
9215 Causeway Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33619
2940 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL, 33614
My father moved into Senior Point Assisted Living. They’re doing a wonderful job, and we’re very happy with them. They’re very attentive with their patients, and they’ve taken really good care of Dadd
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My father moved into Senior Point Assisted Living. They’re doing a wonderful job, and we’re very happy with them. They’re very attentive with their patients, and they’ve taken really good care of Daddy. They make sure he eats, which is good. The doctor services have been great. They brought in the house doctor, who called and probably spent an hour on the phone with me making sure we had everything done right. His room is extremely clean, the facility is very clean, they have activities for them, and overall we couldn’t ask for anything better. For lunch alone, they had a full-course meal, and the food seems to be really good, so we have no complaints with that — and Daddy doesn’t either; he loves to eat. The facilities are very nice. It’s a relatively new facility; I think it’s only two years old, and it’s really nice. For Daddy’s birthday, they had a gentleman come in and sing happy birthday to him, and we got it on video. They sent it to us, and that was really good.
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My father moved into Senior Point Assisted Living. They’re doing a wonderful job, and we’re very happy with them. They’re very attentive with their patients, and they’ve taken really good care of Dadd
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My father moved into Senior Point Assisted Living. They’re doing a wonderful job, and we’re very happy with them. They’re very attentive with their patients, and they’ve taken really good care of Daddy. They make sure he eats, which is good. The doctor services have been great. They brought in the house doctor, who called and probably spent an hour on the phone with me making sure we had everything done right. His room is extremely clean, the facility is very clean, they have activities for them, and overall we couldn’t ask for anything better. For lunch alone, they had a full-course meal, and the food seems to be really good, so we have no complaints with that — and Daddy doesn’t either; he loves to eat. The facilities are very nice. It’s a relatively new facility; I think it’s only two years old, and it’s really nice. For Daddy’s birthday, they had a gentleman come in and sing happy birthday to him, and we got it on video. They sent it to us, and that was really good.
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12250 N 22nd Street, Tampa, FL, 33612
5175 Cypress Preserve Dr, Tampa, FL, 33647
The Facility Is great . And the Care Staff Work so good , but the way management treats them are unacceptable . The new Administrator , Rhonda is the worst asset of MLC . She treats those girls so dir
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The Facility Is great . And the Care Staff Work so good , but the way management treats them are unacceptable . The new Administrator , Rhonda is the worst asset of MLC . She treats those girls so dirty . If it Wasn’t for the great service of then care staff , I would take mom out .
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The Facility Is great . And the Care Staff Work so good , but the way management treats them are unacceptable . The new Administrator , Rhonda is the worst asset of MLC . She treats those girls so dir
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The Facility Is great . And the Care Staff Work so good , but the way management treats them are unacceptable . The new Administrator , Rhonda is the worst asset of MLC . She treats those girls so dirty . If it Wasn’t for the great service of then care staff , I would take mom out .
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2011 Cape Bend Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33613
4406 North Melton Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33614
The staff is excellent and very personal and caring toward my mother and myself. Christine the manager goes out of her way to make sure that my mom feels like she’s at home. My mom calls the staff m
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The staff is excellent and very personal and caring toward my mother and myself. Christine the manager goes out of her way to make sure that my mom feels like she’s at home. My mom calls the staff member her daughters and that they protect her and look out for her.
The facilities is clean and the cleaning staff also care about the residents
Overall an excellent place
I sleep well knowing my mom is well taken care of.
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The staff is excellent and very personal and caring toward my mother and myself. Christine the manager goes out of her way to make sure that my mom feels like she’s at home. My mom calls the staff m
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The staff is excellent and very personal and caring toward my mother and myself. Christine the manager goes out of her way to make sure that my mom feels like she’s at home. My mom calls the staff member her daughters and that they protect her and look out for her.
The facilities is clean and the cleaning staff also care about the residents
Overall an excellent place
I sleep well knowing my mom is well taken care of.
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312 E. 124th Street, Tampa, FL, 33612
4100 East Fletcher Ave., Tampa, FL, 33613
12951 West Linebaugh Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33626
My mother is in Aston Gardens At Tampa Bay. They’re doing a fantastic job. We like the staff and we like everything about it. It’s not perfect and it’s not laid out like an apartment, but it’s well ke
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My mother is in Aston Gardens At Tampa Bay. They’re doing a fantastic job. We like the staff and we like everything about it. It’s not perfect and it’s not laid out like an apartment, but it’s well kept for being a memory care unit and the difficult environment that they have with the patients that are in there. It’s very clean, neat, and orderly, and they have good facilities.
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My mother is in Aston Gardens At Tampa Bay. They’re doing a fantastic job. We like the staff and we like everything about it. It’s not perfect and it’s not laid out like an apartment, but it’s well ke
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My mother is in Aston Gardens At Tampa Bay. They’re doing a fantastic job. We like the staff and we like everything about it. It’s not perfect and it’s not laid out like an apartment, but it’s well kept for being a memory care unit and the difficult environment that they have with the patients that are in there. It’s very clean, neat, and orderly, and they have good facilities.
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16001 Lakeshore Villa Drive, Tampa, FL, 33613
My husband is moving to Renaissance North Tampa. I was impressed with the cleanliness and how they handled things. Things seemed pretty calm and organized. Everyone there has been very helpful with th
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My husband is moving to Renaissance North Tampa. I was impressed with the cleanliness and how they handled things. Things seemed pretty calm and organized. Everyone there has been very helpful with the process and if I call, they call back or answer right away. They have two dining rooms, they showed me one room which is a smaller unit and wasn’t so big. A couple of the other places I’ve looked at had long halls and were very large, but at this one, the halls aren’t long. They all lead into either a family room or the kitchen area. It’s a little homier to me, and not all spread out. The time that we were there, they had a gentleman playing the guitar and they were singing and playing the tambourine. Everyone seemed very content and did not wander around. They had a nice, big garden area, and one of the garden areas is in the center. Everybody so far has been very, very helpful. The main nurse came out to our house and talked to me, to my husband, see how he was, and ask questions. Overall, since the place is a little smaller it’s more personable, and I was impressed with what I saw.
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My husband is moving to Renaissance North Tampa. I was impressed with the cleanliness and how they handled things. Things seemed pretty calm and organized. Everyone there has been very helpful with th
… (read more)
My husband is moving to Renaissance North Tampa. I was impressed with the cleanliness and how they handled things. Things seemed pretty calm and organized. Everyone there has been very helpful with the process and if I call, they call back or answer right away. They have two dining rooms, they showed me one room which is a smaller unit and wasn’t so big. A couple of the other places I’ve looked at had long halls and were very large, but at this one, the halls aren’t long. They all lead into either a family room or the kitchen area. It’s a little homier to me, and not all spread out. The time that we were there, they had a gentleman playing the guitar and they were singing and playing the tambourine. Everyone seemed very content and did not wander around. They had a nice, big garden area, and one of the garden areas is in the center. Everybody so far has been very, very helpful. The main nurse came out to our house and talked to me, to my husband, see how he was, and ask questions. Overall, since the place is a little smaller it’s more personable, and I was impressed with what I saw.
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13810 Sheldon Road, Tampa, FL, 33626
After several site visits to facilities in Northeast Pinellas (Clearwater/Safety Harbor/Palm Harbor) and in Northwest Hillsborough, I selected the Evergreen (Alzheimer’s) Unit at Arbor Terrace Citrus
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After several site visits to facilities in Northeast Pinellas (Clearwater/Safety Harbor/Palm Harbor) and in Northwest Hillsborough, I selected the Evergreen (Alzheimer’s) Unit at Arbor Terrace Citrus Park for my father. He has been in their great care for 5 months now, and our entire family is very pleased with all they do for him.
I visit at many different times and find every team member of every shift to be compassionate and loving for all of their residents. Dad is treated with dignity and respect. The service attitude is modeled throughout the entire complex.
The facilities and grounds are beautiful and well kept.
I only have one negative — cell service is spotty indoors, but that gives me more reason to take Dad outdoors to explore the gardens (and beyond).
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After several site visits to facilities in Northeast Pinellas (Clearwater/Safety Harbor/Palm Harbor) and in Northwest Hillsborough, I selected the Evergreen (Alzheimer’s) Unit at Arbor Terrace Citrus
… (read more)
After several site visits to facilities in Northeast Pinellas (Clearwater/Safety Harbor/Palm Harbor) and in Northwest Hillsborough, I selected the Evergreen (Alzheimer’s) Unit at Arbor Terrace Citrus Park for my father. He has been in their great care for 5 months now, and our entire family is very pleased with all they do for him.
I visit at many different times and find every team member of every shift to be compassionate and loving for all of their residents. Dad is treated with dignity and respect. The service attitude is modeled throughout the entire complex.
The facilities and grounds are beautiful and well kept.
I only have one negative — cell service is spotty indoors, but that gives me more reason to take Dad outdoors to explore the gardens (and beyond).
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13005 Community Campus Dr., Tampa, FL, 33625
I went to Weinberg Village and did a tour. They were super nice. It’s an older facility, it’s a Jewish community, so in the memory care part they were not keen about somebody who was very social. The
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I went to Weinberg Village and did a tour. They were super nice. It’s an older facility, it’s a Jewish community, so in the memory care part they were not keen about somebody who was very social. The price was right, it just wasn’t the place for Dad. The staff was nice and pleasant. It was clean, it just smelled. The dining area is more like a cafeteria type.
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I went to Weinberg Village and did a tour. They were super nice. It’s an older facility, it’s a Jewish community, so in the memory care part they were not keen about somebody who was very social. The
… (read more)
I went to Weinberg Village and did a tour. They were super nice. It’s an older facility, it’s a Jewish community, so in the memory care part they were not keen about somebody who was very social. The price was right, it just wasn’t the place for Dad. The staff was nice and pleasant. It was clean, it just smelled. The dining area is more like a cafeteria type.
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COVID-19 Rules for Memory Care in Tampa
Since most COVID-19 rules for Memory Care Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Memory Care in Florida. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
What to Consider About Memory Care in Tampa
In Florida, memory care communities fall under the purview of the Division of Health Quality Assurance, a division of the Agency for Health Care Administration. The Health Quality Assurance division is responsible for the licensure and regulation of all manners of health care providers, including memory care facilities, and must conduct regular onsite evaluations and investigate care complaints as necessary.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Care in Tampa
- Tampa has been a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities since 2021. This signifies a huge commitment to making the city more senior-friendly by improving the infrastructure of the community and working with seniors to determine what the area needs to do to improve senior livability. This often includes making areas more pedestrian-friendly or increasing transportation options for seniors.
- The weather in Tampa is both a positive and a negative. Summers are very hot and humid, with a normal summer high of 90 degrees. Fortunately, most homes and businesses have air conditioning, so seniors who cannot handle the heat can spend the most sweltering parts of the day inside. The winter climate is pleasant, with plenty of sun and temperatures in the 70s.
- The cost of living in Hillsborough County, including Tampa and St. Petersburg, is about the same as the national average, with the cost of utilities and health care slightly below average and groceries slightly above average. However, the sheer number of organizations, businesses and utility companies in the area creates a competitive environment that can benefit seniors who aren’t afraid to shop around.
- Tampa is a relatively safe place to live for being such a large city. The city has a crime rate that is 1.4 times lower than the national average, with a recent downward trend in violent crime and property crime. There is a larger law enforcement presence here than in other areas of the state and more access to emergency services.
- Seniors in the early stages of dementia have a huge selection of indoor and outdoor activity options to choose from around the city. Only a short jaunt away, the white, sandy beaches offer natural beauty and plenty to see. The city also has a walkability score of 85 out of 100, so seniors be accompanied to local shops and restaurants for good food and a little retail therapy.
- Tampa’s healthcare system has a lot of ground to cover, but seniors with dementia have a good selection of high quality physicians to choose from. AdventHealth Tampa offers Alzheimer’s and Dementia testing and a range of neurological and neurosurgical treatment options to help seniors maintain their current level of cognitive function.
Paying for Memory Care in Tampa
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.
The Cost of Memory Care in Nearby Cities
Memory care costs in Tampa are among the most reasonable in Florida. Residents pay an average of $4,188 per month for comprehensive memory care services, approximately $900 less than the state average and nearly $1,500 less than the national average. In relation to the cities surrounding Hillsborough County, Tampa is one of the least expensive cities in the region, at $1,000 less than the North Port Area and approximately $1,100 less than Homosassa Springs per month. Tampa and its southern neighbor Punta Gorda share the same cost for assisted living. Lakeland, which is located east of Tampa towards the center of the state, offers assisted living care for around $60 less per month.
Memory Care vs Other Types of Care in Tampa, FL
The cost of memory care in Tampa is around $800 more than that of assisted living per month, mainly due to the extra services and treatment options that seniors with memory care require. Memory care services are also more expensive than adult day health care by more than $2,000 per month. Seniors who utilize in-home care or home health care pay slightly more for services than memory care seniors, an amount that averages around $580 more for home care and around $670 more for home health care. A semi-private room in a nursing home is $8,927, more than twice the cost of memory care services.
Nursing Home (semiprivate room)
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Tampa
In Tampa, there are options for seniors who need financial assistance paying for Memory Care. For more information about other options, who qualifies, and how to apply, 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.
Free Memory Care Resources in Tampa
It can be difficult for seniors in the St.Petersburg-Tampa metro area to find the resources that are out there for seniors with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. The sprawling metropolis is just so big, with memory care agencies scattered from one side of the county to the other. The table below is a small collection of free or almost free resources for seniors in the Tampa area who live with dementia.
The Dementia Spotlight Foundation is a nonprofit organization that offers dementia-related seminars and events to residents of southern Georgia and Florida. They also host regular support groups and virtual memory cafes for seniors to connect with peers who also have cognitive impairments.
The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter serves a sixteen county area, providing support and educational services to those with Alzheimer's, as well as their families. They also offer an early-onset connections program, support groups and a resource/referral guide for seniors who need special services.
This USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Center is working toward finding treatments and therapies that can improve the lives of those with dementia. The Center provides medical treatment choices for seniors in Hillsborough County who are dealing with dementia and allows seniors to sign up for a potential spot in current or future clinical trials.
The Hillsborough County Department of Elder Affairs provides support services to seniors with dementia who live in the Bay Area. Thanks to the department's Alzheimer's Disease Initiative, seniors can participate in memory disorder clinics and receive free counseling and case management services.
Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Tampa
Tampa Memory Care Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Memory Care Facilities in Florida are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Florida page for more information about these laws.
