10 Best Independent Living Communities in Tallahassee, FL

Because independent living facilities aren’t classified as senior care communities, you can’t pay for it via Medicaid, Medicare, or long-term care insurance. These programs may, however, cover certain medically necessary in-home care services at your independent living facility.

Private payment methods are the most common way to pay for independent living costs. These may include personal savings, investments, pensions, or real estate assets. Seniors can also use home equity to pay for independent living with a reverse mortgage. This allows you to withdraw funds from your home’s equity over time.

In addition, VA benefits may be available to some veterans and their spouses. These benefits can help pay for independent living communities, especially for those with service-related disabilities.

Here, we’ll detail how you can use private and public funding and VA benefits to help make room in your budget for independent living.

Independent living communities don’t have to be licensed and must follow the same laws as senior apartments in Tallahassee. These laws include rental and housing laws, such as the Fair Housing Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, and Florida’s Landlord/Tenant Law. Landlords must comply with building, housing, and health codes and provide reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities.

However, some independent living communities are combination facilities that also offer other senior living arrangements, including assisted living or memory care. These combination facilities must follow additional laws and regulations.

To provide a combination of independent living and assisted living care in Tallahassee, one has to be licensed by the Bureau of Health Facility Regulation. The bureau is in charge of licensing various assisted living facilities that can range in size and provide varying levels of care under standard or specialty licenses. Facilities must meet extra standards, such as those pertaining to staffing and staff training, in order to be granted a specialty license. Limited nursing services (LNS), extended congregate care (ECC), and limited mental health services are all covered by speciality licenses.^[04]

Facilities offer various services depending on the type of license they hold. Standard facilities can help seniors with medication self-administration and personal care services. Facilities with an LNS license can offer additional nursing services, such as routine dressing changes, care for catheters, colostomies, and ileostomies, as well as any other nursing services that are allowed under the facility’s license. Activities of daily living support and additional nursing services can be offered more extensively by facilities with an ECC license. This could also include help with toileting, grooming, dressing, and bathing.^[04]

After obtaining a license, facilities can be inspected whenever the licensing agency feels it is appropriate. Any inspections carried out for purposes other than initial licensure have to be done without prior notice. While inspections for relicensure are done every other year, each quarter, a registered nurse or other designated representative of the licensing body must visit ECC facilities to check on residents and assess facility compliance. You can look up inspection reports through the Agency for Health Care Administration and Florida Health Finder.^[04]

Assisted living has more rules and regulations than just licensing and inspection requirements. The resident contract must also include the daily, weekly, or monthly rate; notice policy for rate increases; additional services and their cost; refund policies and procedures; bed hold policy; and statement of the organization’s religious affiliation and any related requirements. The contract must also state residents’ rights, duties, and obligations.^[04]

Every facility must be under the supervision of an administrator who is responsible for its operation and maintenance. Additionally, other inspections are routinely conducted through the county offices of the Florida Department of Health to focus on food hygiene, physical plant safety, and biomedical waste.^[04]

Assisted living facilities must employ sufficient staff to ensure the safety and proper care of individual residents, implement emergency plans, and have at least one certified first aid employee present at all times. Minimum staff hours per week are specified based on the number of residents, with additional staff required for every 20 residents over 95. These facilities must also have enough qualified staff to provide resident supervision and services following residents’ needs, contracts, and care standards.^[04]

The facility must provide a variety of regular meals that meet the nutritional needs of residents, as well as therapeutic diets as ordered by the resident’s health care provider for those who require special diets. To determine eligibility for a retirement community, first check to see whether you meet the age requirement, which is usually 55 years or older, but it can vary depending on the community. The most important factor is your financial situation. Consider the cost and the time it will take to pay it off. Independent senior living is designed for active adults who don’t require significant care or support with daily activities, and some communities may be flexible with age requirements.^[04]

Florida Department of Health contact information

Florida Department of Health
2585 Merchants Row Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: 850-245-4444
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Tallahassee independent living communities

There are no COVID-19 regulations specific to independent living in Tallahassee. However, each independent living community may have its own guidelines. Leon County’s website provides local COVID-19 information.

Tallahassee has a range of independent living options for seniors. A Place for Mom has six partner communities within a 10-mile radius of downtown Tallahassee. There are three standalone independent living facilities; two combo assisted living and independent living options; and one facility offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care. There’s also an additional in-network facility if you expand your search to a 25-mile radius. No matter what type of lifestyle you’re looking for — whether it be luxurious or budget-conscious or somewhere in between — Tallahassee has plenty of options.

Affordable independent living

There are affordable independent living communities within Tallahassee so individuals can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle at a budget-friendly cost by opting for more basic amenities while still having access to essential services including meals and transportation to medical appointments. Many of these communities also offer pet-friendly spaces, making them even more attractive for seniors who’d like to bring along their furry friend!

Luxury independent living

Luxury independent living facilities are becoming increasingly popular among seniors in Tallahassee due to their high-end features such as spas, large common areas with plenty of recreational activities and entertainment options, and chef-prepared meals served on-site, which make them appealing to those looking for a premium lifestyle during their golden years — complete with waterfront views from some communities.

Health care for seniors in Tallahassee

Transportation for seniors in Tallahassee

If you want to explore Tallahassee, you’ll most likely need a car. With a transit score of only 30 out of 100, a bike score of 45, and a walk score of 30, the city has limited options for public transport, biking, and getting around on foot. Walk Score considers factors such as walking routes, public density, biking routes, and public transit to determine these numbers.^[06] But don’t worry, all of our partner independent living facilities offer free transportation to residents.

Tallahassee also has a public transportation system called StarMetro. These buses are another option for seniors looking for an easy and reliable way to get around town. The buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts. Veterans can ride for free by applying through Leon County Veteran Services for a veterans pass.

C & T Senior Transportation, a private option, is a door-to-door transportation service for seniors who need to run errands or go to the doctor.

Senior activities in Tallahassee

Seniors in independent living communities in Tallahassee can enjoy a wide range of activities and attractions that provide plenty of opportunities for them to stay engaged and enjoy their golden years.

One popular attraction is the Tallahassee Automobile Museum, which offers seniors the chance to dive into their interests while also exploring their community. This museum features one of the largest car collections in America, as well as sports memorabilia, antique boat motors, and pedal cars. If you use mobility aids, this is a great option because the parking lot features plenty of wheelchair-accessible spaces. Plus, you can explore the entire museum without needing to go up a single stair step. The museum is completely accessible for wheelchairs and motorized scooters, and it even has two wheelchairs available for visitors to borrow. And you don’t have to leave your furry companion at home — service animals can accompany museum visitors.

The Carrabelle Riverfront Festival is a great option for those looking for some seasonal outdoor fun. With plentiful family-friendly activities, live music and entertainment, arts-and-crafts vendors, and mouth-watering food along the historic waterfront, this is the perfect event for seniors looking for activities to do with family and friends. Plus, it’s free!

For those looking for outdoor excursions, visit Cascades Park, a 24-acre park along the stream known as the St. Augustine Branch in Tallahassee. This park features 2.3 miles of paved trails for visitors to walk along — or just relax alongside. Plus, there’s an amphitheater for theatrical and musical performances, the stunning Imagination Fountain, and fascinating memorials and historical features throughout Cascades Park.

If fishing is your forte, check out Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park, or Lake Talquin State Park to catch a variety of local fish, including crappie, bream, Florida black bass, and catfish. Visit the specific park’s website for information about any entry fees. You might need a fishing license. For more information, check out the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park also features a brick walkway, a walled garden, five miles of designated biking trails, a reflection pool, and six miles of shared-use trails. It also offers an audio tour, beach wheelchairs, non-slip wheelchair beach access mats, motorized and manual wheelchairs, and golf cart tours (with advance notice).

If a day on the green is more your speed, there’s never a bad day to go golfing at SouthWood Golf Club, the oldest golf course in Tallahassee. SouthWood Golf Club was designed for players of all levels by PGA Tour legend Fred Couples and his design partner Gene Bates. This upscale golf course is in a stunning locale, perfectly positioned among pastures, rolling hills, and Spanish moss-draped oak trees.

Still looking for more options to entertain yourself and your loved ones in Tallahassee? Consider events and festivals like the Tallahassee Film Festival, Springtime Tallahassee, and the Red Hills Horse Trials.

Seniors can also socialize by visiting the Tallahassee Senior Center to participate in yoga classes, arts-and-crafts sessions, bridge games, and music classes — all while making new friends or reconnecting with old ones.