207 Assisted Living Communities near Miami

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living communities are residential facilities for seniors who want to maintain active, independent lifestyles but require some assistance with routine activities such as laundry, housekeeping, meal prep and grooming.

In Florida, the Bureau of Health Facility Regulation licenses and regulates several types of assisted living communities depending on the type of services they offer. All facilities have at least a standard license. However, some Miami assisted living communities also carry specialized licenses that allow them to offer more complex services to residents such as mental health or limited nursing services.

What Services are Available in Assisted Living in Miami?

Miami assisted living communities offer a variety of services based on the needs of residents and the type of license the facility carries; however, these are some of the general services available at most assisted living near you:

• Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Medication management
• Security & supervision
• Basic housekeeping
• Daily meals
• Health and exercise programs
• Transportation

All standard-licensed facilities offer housing, meals and one or more personal care services for periods not exceeding 24 hours at a time. Personal care services include direct physical assistance with or supervision of a resident's activities of daily living (ADLs).

Facilities with a standard license may also hire or contract licensed personnel to help seniors with medication management. If your loved one requires more extensive care, you should look for a facility with a Limited Nursing Services license. These facilities employ licensed staff members to help residents in need of assistance with things like catheter care, range-of-motion exercises and routine dressing changes.

If your loved one requires regular nursing care, you should look for a facility with an Extended Congregate Care license. These facilities carry both standard and limited nursing services licenses. The state also has a Limited Mental Health license, which allows the facility to provide care to seniors with dementia, Alzheimer's disease or types of mental illnesses.

Getting Ready to Move to Assisted Living in Miami

Moving into a Miami assisted living community requires some time and planning, but the process is a lot easier on you and your loved one if you're prepared. It's important to keep your loved one involved in each step of the planning process. This helps them accept the change they are about to make and feel good about it.

You should start by scheduling a physical exam for your loved one. This way you know exactly the type of care your loved one requires, which makes it a lot easier to find an assisted living community that fits their needs.

In addition to completing a medical assessment, you should also:

• Review the assisted living facility's policies and procedures with your loved one, so you both know exactly what to expect as your loved one gets settled into their new home.
• Ask the staff for a list of suggested items to bring to the community. Having a list on hand makes it a lot easier to determine what belongings your loved one should keep.
• Sell your loved one's current home or start the process to cancel their current rental agreement.
• Donate or sell your loved one's car, or give it to a younger family member.
• Sort through your loved one's belongings. Pack everything your loved one needs to keep and donate, sell or give away any belongings that remain.
• Review your loved one's finances and pay any outstanding bills.
• Make a list of any services you need to cancel once your loved one moves including utilities and meal services.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Miami?

The average monthly cost of assisted living in Miami is $3,100 according to the Genworth cost of Care survey 2017.

Monthly assisted living costs vary from facility to facility. If you're looking for a cost-effective assisted living community, you should tour facilities that only offer basic services and have minimal amenities. Assisted living communities that offer more advanced nursing services or resort-style amenities, such as modern, multi-room apartments, concierge services and gourmet meals we categorize as Luxury and will cost more.

According to Genworth, monthly assisted living costs in Florida average $3,100. This is a lot lower than the 2017 national median of $3,750 per month. Even better, the average cost of assisted living in Miami is still lower, at $3,000 per month.

Our local Seniorly Partner Agents often have the ability to negotiate monthly rent and fees on your behalf at many of the communities you might be interested in.  This is a free service to you.  To connect to a Seniorly Partner Agent email us now at ask@seniorly.com or call (855) 866-4515.

What’s the Difference Between Assisted Living vs. Other Senior Care Types?

The primary way to distinguish assisted living from other types of senior care is that assisted living sits between independent living and skilled nursing facilities, commonly known as nursing homes.

Assisted living facilities in Miami, Florida, are licensed to care for residents with basic and specific requirements. However, it's also important to know what type of facilities are located in the area and what they offer. This way you know you're choosing an assisted living community that fits all of your loved one's needs.

• Independent living communities are ideal for seniors who are in great physical condition and are ready to live a more worry-free life without the responsibilities of owning a home
• Skilled nursing facilities offer skilled nursing services to residents struggling to cope with chronic illnesses
• Memory care facilities provide safe, homelike environments for seniors with dementia and Alzheimer's disease
• Hospice care is the option for seniors who have decided to stop battling a chronic illness, such as cancer, or those who face end-of-life scenarios resulting from dementia or Alzheimer's disease

Helpful Apps and Websites for Assisted Living in Miami

Miami has a wide variety of businesses and organizations that offer services that enhance your assisted living experience. The three websites below give you a glimpse at some of the things available to Miami area seniors:

• Lyft is a great resource for Miami seniors residing in assisted living facilities. It lets you schedule door-to-door transportation on an as-needed basis, making it easy for you to get to doctor's appointments or run errands.
• Door Dash delivers food from your favorite local restaurants right to your door, making it easy for you to enjoy meals from restaurants that don't typically deliver.
• Miami's Pet Grooming offers a mobile pet grooming service that makes it easy for you to care for your furry companion. Their website has a full list of services, discounts and coupons.

Resources for Caregivers in Miami

Even after your loved one moves into an assisted living facility, you might find yourself caring for them on a semi-regular or regular basis. However, it's important that you don't let your own needs go to care for your loved one. Miami has several organizations that offer resources for caregivers, including the three listed below, that help you maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

• United Homecare's Caregiver Resource Center offers health, wellness, long-term care and short-term care information for and resources for non-professional caregivers. The center has support groups, professionals available to give you advice and educational programs available.
• Easterseals offers caregiver services around the country, including Miami area support groups. The organization also has a variety of online resources available for caregivers.
• Miami Gardens Senior Focal Point Center offers several programs for seniors. However, it also has a caregiver assistance program designed specifically for those who care for seniors.

Government Resources for Seniors in Miami

In addition to community and local organizations, there are also several government-run programs available to assist Miami area seniors and their loved ones. Some examples include:

• Miami-Dade County's Senior Companion Program's volunteers offer friendship and support to area seniors by visiting them regularly and transporting them to appointments. This program is a good option for seniors whose caregivers also work full-time jobs.
• Florida Department of Elder Affairs offers information about senior housing and assistance programs. It also has resources available to help seniors find nearby senior centers and/or need advice planning for their future needs.
• Alliance for Aging Inc. has an Aging and Disability Resource Center in Maimi. It offers various resources on government funding and programs available to area seniors.

Miami Demographics

Miami has a population of 453,579, and a good portion of it consists of seniors. Residents age 65 and older make up 16.4% of the cities population.

Miami Weather

Many seniors retire to Miami to enjoy the city's year-round warm weather. Miami winters are mild and pleasant with temperatures rarely dropping below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and temperatures in the summers in the summer rarely exceed the low 90s.

Transportation In and Around Miami

Miami-Dade Transportation and Public Works operates 95 Metrobus routes in and around Miami. They offer a Golden Passport for seniors age 65 years old and older that enables you to ride for free. The city's Metromover train system is also free to ride.

Fun Facts About Miami

Miami is a city that offers seniors the best of both worlds. It's hip and trendy, yet steeped with history. In fact, it was founded in 1896 when Julia Tuttle convinced a nearby railroad mogul to expand service into the area, making it the only major U.S. city to be founded by a woman.

Seniors who appreciate art deco style will enjoy strolling through Miami neighborhoods. The city houses the world's largest display of art deco architecture.

If you enjoy outdoor activities, Miami is a great place to retire. It has more than 800 parks, and it's the only U.S. city surrounded by two large national parks — Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park.

Seniors in the Miami area won't need to look far to find a good burger. In fact, Burger King opened its first burger chain in Miami in 1957 to introduce the famed Whopper, which sold for only $0.37.

Miami Hospital Information

Living in Miami gives you access to several world-class medical facilities including Mercy Hospital, University of Miami Hospital and Jackson Memorial Hospital. All offer emergency medical care and have a long list of specialty treatments offered. The city also has several healthcare centers including Florida Medical Center Group, Varadero Medical Center and Borinquen Health Care Center.

Assisted Living Community Ratings, Inspection Reports and User Reviews for Miami

When choosing an assisted living community for your loved one, it's important to do some of your own research. Reading reviews and researching complaints gives you a good idea of the level of care provided at a facility. The Florida Bureau of Health Facility Regulation has an online tool to help you find an assisted living facility in Miami. While it doesn't provide reviews on individual facilities, it does give you a list of facility names, addresses and phone numbers, so it's a good place to start your research. You can use the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website to see if there are any complaints listed against the facilities on your list t narrow down your options.

Once you have a short list of facilities you're interested in touring, use Yelp or Google Maps to read facility reviews. Seniorly also offers detailed reviews from facility residents and their loved ones.

What Questions Should I Ask When Touring Assisted Living Facilities in Miami?

While visiting assisted living facilities in Miami, make sure to ask these 10 questions to get the most out of your tour:

1. What is the staff to resident ratio?
2. Are background checks performed on all staff members?
3. Do residents have the option of a private or shared room?
4. Are residents permitted to keep food in their room?
5. Are there TVs in the resident's rooms?
6. How many meals are provided per day?
7. What common spaces are available to residents?
8. What type of activities are available to residents, and how often do they occur?
9. What is your medication management policy?
10. Is there a written care plan for each resident? How long often is it reviewed and updated?

Of course, this is only a basic list of questions. You can view a complete list of more than 70 questions to ask during your assisted living facility tour on Seniorly's website.