10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Fort Myers, FL

When joining an assisted living community, most seniors use a combination of methods to pay for housing and care costs. They might use Medicaid or Medicare, veterans benefits, or private payment methods such as pensions or investment returns. In this payment guide, we provide advice for using these methods, as well as resources you might want to check out.

It’s important to understand the laws and regulations that govern assisted living facilities in Fort Myers. Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) are licensed by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration’s Bureau of Health Facility Regulation. A standard license is for an ALF providing housing, meals, and personal care. On top of that license, there are three specialty licenses an ALF can acquire:

• Limited Nursing Services (LNS): This license allows nursing care to be provided on top of the standard license.
• Extended Congregate Care (ECC): This license incorporates both the standard and LNS license, but allows for an even higher level of physical and mental health care.
• Limited Mental Health (LMH): This license allows standard facilities to care for those with mental illness.

State laws and regulations must be adhered to by all types of licensed ALFs. These cover medication administration, meal service guidelines, staffing requirements, as well as staff training, facilities requirements, and the exact services each level is authorized to provide.

Every assisted living facility in Fort Myers must be inspected prior to licensure, as well as at least once every two years. However, ECC facilities must have quarterly visits by a registered nurse to monitor residents and to determine facility compliance. You can request inspection reports from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration or search for them yourself using this Facility/Provider Locator.

Half of the assisted living facilities in our network also provide memory care to residents, so these facilities must also fulfill the requirements for memory caregivers. This includes memory care-trained staff, layouts, and equipment that help protect residents with dementia from harm.

Florida Department of Health contact information

Florida Department of Health
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: 850-245-4444
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Fort Myers assisted living facilities

Fort Myers assisted living facilities follow COVID-19 guidance set out by the state of Florida and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While there currently aren’t any legal mandates for masking, social distancing, or vaccination, recommendations continue to be followed and effective in minimizing the impact of community spread.

Fort Myers, which sits between the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico, offers year-round warmth, beach-lined coasts, urban amenities, and ubiquitous history. Assisted living communities in the area have been designed to make the most of these aspects of Florida living.

A balance of care and independence

In Fort Myers and among the 20 assisted living communities within our network of partners, you will find a diverse range of senior care options. For those wanting a little more independence, there are communities that blend higher and lower levels of care, helping you adapt as your needs shift. For those needing more regular remedial and custodial care, many facilities offer intensive, on-site nursing. All communities offer a safe, enclosed, and well-supported environment, as well as additional activities and amenities to make life more enjoyable. Our partner breakdown is as follows:

• 6 stand-alone assisted living facilities
• 10 assisted living and memory care facilities
• 3  independent living, assisted living, and memory care combination
• 1 independent living and assisted living combination

An affordable way of life

There are many cost-friendly options for assisted living in Fort Myers. Because the area is a relatively inexpensive place to live, luxury accommodations and amenities like swimming pools and yoga classes are often affordable. The city offers elements of the good life — palm trees, balmy breezes, social occasions, etc. — in addition to specialized nursing care, support staff, and physician visits. You’ll be able to enjoy your golden years in comfort and style.

Your favorite things to do

When looking for an assisted living facility, everyone will have a different wishlist. If you want to bring your dog to live with you in a cozy, private room, you’re in luck — 17 of the 20 assisted living facilities in our Fort Myers network are animal-friendly. Only one facility doesn’t employ a visiting occupational, physical, or speech therapist or visiting podiatrist. Seniors prioritizing their faith will find that 80% of A Place for Mom’s partner communities offer onsite devotional activities. If it’s important for you to be able to invite guests and enjoy special occasions with new friends, you’ll be happy to know that 90% of our Fort Myers assisted living partner facilities host birthday parties and live musical performances.

Health care for seniors in Fort Myers

Transportation for seniors in Fort Myers

Most people living in and around Fort Myers rely on cars to get around. With a vast network of highways and coastal roads, this stretch of the Florida coast is a nice place to take a road trip. It isn’t really possible to run errands on foot. Still, if you love to stroll, there are zones that are more walkable, such as the neighborhoods of Lincoln Park and Bowling Green.

There are also public transport options to get around town. LeeTran, the local public transit system in and around Fort Myers, operates 22 bus and trolley lines around the city. Serviced locations include the seaside at Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, and Bonita Springs. Other organizations, such as the subsidized, door-to-door, excursion-assisting Cape Coral Mini-Bus, also offer senior-friendly transport options.

It’s also worth noting that 85% of the assisted living facilities in A Place for Mom’s network offer complimentary transportation, so seniors can shop, run errands, and go to their personal and medical appointments without hassle. And 35% provide transportation services at cost.

The Walk Scores below come from comparing cities across the country and are based on a 100-point scale. The higher the number, the better the environment for that mode of transportation.^[06]

Senior activities in Fort Myers

Fort Myers has a lot of different perspectives to offer seniors and their families. Just walking or driving around the city and its shorelines will provide great views and brushes with nature. For those able to get out and about, Estero Bay holds many natural treasures, such as the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail and several pristine, sandy beaches to choose from.

For seniors who need an accessible experience, there are many historic and cultural buildings and organizations to explore. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates is a visitor attraction celebrating the history and legacies of inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, who were both seasonal Fort Myers residents. With a museum, laboratory, and gardens, it’s a grand day out for seniors and their families. A map of the accessible areas of the grounds is available online. For more local history, check out the Southwest Florida Museum of History or the Lakes Park Railroad Museum.

Performing and fine art lovers will appreciate the Florida Repertory Theater and the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, the latter of which hosts film festivals, “wine and paint” evenings, a rooftop sculpture park, and all sorts of other events. Those interested in sports might prefer to take in a game at JetBlue Park, the spring training headquarters for the Boston Red Sox.

Another lovely aspect of senior life in Fort Myers is the feeling of community that exists in the area. There are so many community and recreation centers to choose from that you’ll be sure to find one with kindred spirits. Try Olga Park and Community Center, Buckingham Community Center, or Veterans Parks and Recreation Center, where seniors can enjoy card games, puzzles, various classes, and other social activities.