Why Select Assisted Living in Miami, FL?
It’s hard not to think about Florida without Miami being one of the first cities to come to mind. After all, Miami is one of the most scenically beautiful cities on the southeastern seaboard, making it a popular coastal escape for everyone from vacationers to retirees looking to live in some of the best-assisted living communities in the country.
Miami is a particular favorite of seniors as the city enjoys warm temperatures year-round. While the summer can be hot and humid, the fall and winter seasons are absolutely spectacular in Miami, with cooler and drier weather providing the perfect backdrop to getting outside and seeing the sights, which the area has plenty of!
Along with great weather, Miami also allows seniors to stretch their dollars to the maximum because Florida is one of the few states where social security income isn’t taxed, and Medicare covers some of the cost of assisted living.
Miami has been a trendsetting city since its beginning. After all, it has the distinction of being the only major city in the United States that was founded by a woman – Julia Tuttle. A local citrus grower, Tuttle was a wealthy businesswoman who came to Florida from Cleveland and owned the land on which Miami now stands. She eventually became known as the “Mother of Miami” after convincing railroad tycoon Henry Flagler to bring a leg of his Florida East Coast Railway to the region.
Since that time, Miami has gone through many changes, from serving as coastal defense against German submarines in World War II to it becoming the largest city with a Cuban American plurality and the second-largest city in the United States with a Spanish-speaking majority to it becoming one of the most progressive cities in the world and a major global leader in finance, commerce, culture, and the arts.
Today, Miami welcomes thousands of seniors looking to enjoy their golden years in one of the most beautiful places in the world, surrounded by incredible food, world-class attractions, and the best beaches on the East Coast. Find out for yourself why Miami is called the Magic City!
Assisted Living in Miami, FL: What You Need to Know
If you’re looking to learn more about assisted living in Miami, FL, then Senioridy is here to help. Just click on the topics below to learn more about assisted living in Miami, FL.
- How Many Seniors Live in Miami, FL
- Typical Costs of Assisted Living in Miami, FL
- Criteria for Admittance into Assisted Living in Miami, FL
- Senior-Friendly Attractions in Miami, FL
- Benefits of Assisted Living in Miami, FL
- Transportation Services in Miami, FL
- Senior Centers in the Miami Area
- How to Find Assisted Living in Miami, FL
How Many Seniors Live in Miami?
As of 2022, Miami has a population of 381,551 adults, and 76,598 of them are seniors aged 65 and older. The city is a particular favorite for those living in their golden years for a variety of reasons, two of the most common being that its climate is ideal for older Americans and that Florida is one of the most tax-friendly states for seniors to live in. In Florida, seniors are not taxed for money received from their Social Security benefits, pensions, IRAs, 401(k)s, and other retirement income. There is also no inheritance tax or real estate taxes for families of seniors living in long-term care facilities.
These financial benefits for seniors are important because the cost of living in Miami-Dade County is roughly 19% higher than the national average. Despite this, however; Miami is so popular with older Americans that there is usually a waiting list to get into some of the best assisted living facilities in Miami.
Typical Costs of Assisted Living in Miami, FL
While the cost of living is a little higher in Miami, it is important to note that the typical cost of assisted living in the city is lower than in many other parts of the state. For instance, the average monthly cost for assisted living in Miami is $3,350, compared to $4,660 in Jacksonville. In addition, in Florida, Medicaid can pay a fixed daily rate to help cover certain assisted living costs such as a resident’s room, meals, staff care, and medical supplies, but certain restrictions apply.
Most assisted living facilities in Miami-Dade County offer apartments in both furnished and unfurnished models. Most also typically feature large social rooms for community activities, full-featured fitness centers, libraries, media rooms, and other attractive amenities.
But when choosing an assisted living facility for yourself or a loved one, it is always important to remember that most assisted living communities vary in the types of amenities they offer to their residents, and these can affect their monthly costs. Common amenities that can affect the total cost of assisted living can include, but are not limited to:
- Restaurant-style dining
- Private and shared apartments with full kitchens
- Housekeeping and linen service
- Scheduled transportation
- Social, cultural, and recreational activities
- Emergency response system
- On-call medical staff
Criteria for Admittance into Assisted Living in Miami, FL
To be admitted to an assisted living facility in the state of Florida, residents need to meet the following criteria:
- Must be capable of performing ADLs with supervision or assistance
- Must not require 24-hour nursing supervision
- Must be free of Stage II, III, or IV pressure sores
- Must be able to participate in social and leisure activities
- Must be ambulatory
- Must not display violent behavior or be a danger to self or others
- Must have a medical examination from a physician or advanced RN practitioner 60 days before or 30 days after admission
Senior-Friendly Attractions in Mami, FL
Miami has no shortage of things for seniors to see and enjoy, making for another reason why so many choose to retire here. There are dozens of tours available that can provide those living in assisted living facilities in Miami a look at some of the region’s most spectacular sights, from excursions to the Everglades to romantic sunset cruises along the bay.
Miami is also home to an entire world of opportunities for those who love the arts, history, architecture, music, food, and more. Miami also offers free access to the arts for seniors who are residents of Miami-Dade County with its Golden Ticket arts guide. The guide features free cultural offerings for Miami-Dade County senior residents, ages 62 and over. Seniors can enjoy everything included in the guide free of charge.
Just a few of the attractions that seniors will appreciate include:
- South Beach’s Art Deco Historic District
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
- Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
- Wynwood Arts District
- Zoo Miami
- Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
- Miami Seaquarium
- Little Havana
- Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
Meanwhile, the restaurants in Miami are a food lover’s delight. With a local cuisine specializing in fresh-off-the-boat seafood and Latin-inspired specialties, there’s no shortage of elegant bistros, fine dining restaurants, fish camps, and celebrity chef-owned eateries to choose from when you’re spending a day out.
Benefits of Assisted Living in Miami, FL
The assisted living facilities in Miami-Dade County are recognized as some of the best in the country for their ability to provide their residents with an outstanding quality of life. While each facility is unique in the programs and services it offers, most provide a standard set of services that allow residents to enjoy certain freedoms and experiences, such as:
Comfortable, Home-Like Settings
Assisted living residents in Miami are usually free to decorate their apartments as they wish. This is an important component because it allows a senior to make their new living space feel more like home. They can fill their new apartment with their own furniture, home décor, and dinnerware. They can enjoy all the comforts of home without the responsibilities that come with traditional homeownership, like doing lawn work, making repairs, maintaining the home, cooking, cleaning, and performing other tedious or physically demanding tasks. In assisted living, all those menial tasks are handled by professionals.
Personalized Care
The hallmark of an assisted living facility is its ability to provide customized solutions that are designed to satisfy every resident’s unique health needs and personal preferences. Personalized care can include anything from 24/7 nursing care and medication administration to comprehensive monitoring for mood and behavioral issues. Assisted living staff are experts at providing every resident with an optimum environment that is conducive for living their best life.
Hands-On Assistance with Daily Living Tasks
In an assisted living facility, one resident may require more support than another. For instance, some may only need a little assistance with certain tasks, while others may need extra help with their ADLs like housekeeping, transportation, bathing, dressing, hygiene, and laundry. The facility’s staff provides respectful, hands-on assistance that protects the resident’s dignity regardless of how much, or little, support they require.
Safety and Security
Safety and security are always a priority in Miami’s assisted living communities. Having advanced safety measures in place not only puts the minds of family members at ease but also reduces the risk of something happening to their residents. When someone reaches the point in their lives where they require help with their ADLs or they’re prone to wander, there is nowhere safer for them to be than in an assisted living facility.
Access to Quality Healthcare
Assisted living facilities in Miami offer their residents easy access to some of the best healthcare services in the country, both on-site and when necessary, at local hospitals and other types of healthcare facilities. Miami is home to the University of Miami Health System, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Baptist Hospital of Miami, and others.
Engaging Social Activities
Social activities are an important part of any assisted living community’s services because attending them helps older adults stay as active and engaged as possible despite certain limitations. From dance classes, book clubs, and pottery to gardening and daytime excursions, every facility’s list of activities is unique but comprehensive. All residents are encouraged to participate in these activities because being social within the community helps prevent depression and feelings of isolation and greatly improves every resident’s quality of life.
Quality Nutrition and Dining Options
Assisted living facilities in Miami, FL take their residents’ dietary needs seriously because after all, good health starts with proper nutrition. As a result, most facilities offer a wide range of dining options, including flexible mealtimes, greater meal variety, diet-specific meals, and more.
Senior Centers in Miami-Dade County
With such a large senior population, Miami-Dade County has strategically placed senior centers where older adults can enjoy easy access to a wide variety of beneficial programs and services. The following is a list of senior centers in Miami-Dade County:
- Senior Citizens Activities Center of Homestead
- Gesu Senior Citizen Center
- North Miami Foundation For Senior Citizens Services
Transportation Services in Miami, FL
Miami has plenty of public transportation options for seniors living in the city, including Metrorail, Metromover, and Metrobus, all of which provide low-cost or free transport solutions for older adults in Miami. Miami is also connected with a wide variety of free trolley routes connecting some of the city’s most popular areas, including Biscayne Bay, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Coral Way, Historic Overtown, Downtown Miami, and Wynwood.
Passengers who are age 65 and older can ride Miami’s public transportation services for free with a Golden Transport EASY Card. Applications can be submitted in person at the Miami-Dade Transit Golden Passport Office, located on the first floor of the Stephen P. Clark Center, or at any 311 Service Center.
How to Find Assisted Living Facilities in Miami, FL
Whether you are looking for an assisted living facility for yourself or a loved one, there are a few options available to you that can help you find the right one for your needs in Miami-Dade County. One option is to do it the old-fashioned way by looking in the phone book or inquiring about assisted living from your friends and relatives.
Another is to contact a placement agency. Senior placement agencies help seniors find the right assisted living facility for them by working with the senior and their families to find the best possible fit for their needs. These types of services typically charge a referral fee to the Assisted Living community since they are bringing in revenue to that facility, so they don’t usually charge seniors or their families. It is important to note that since agents can only get paid by assisted living facilities that they have contracts with, you may not be shown all the assisted living facilities that are available to you.
Another option is to use an online directory of assisted living facilities in Miami, Florida from a site like Senioridy.com. Senioridy's search tools are comprehensive, so they can provide you with the best possible results.
Just go here to find Assisted Living Communities in Miami, Florida.
