Independent living allows seniors to live in a senior living community without receiving care. Often there are pull cords in the room for emergencies. Seniors can enjoy all the amenities the community has to offer, and some independent living communities include meals in the monthly rate. Communities offer engaging activities and events for seniors to enjoy with fellow residents. The monthly rate is all inclusive, but additional services may be available if desired. 

Assisted living allows seniors to live in a senior living community while receiving assistance for daily activities as needed. Bathing, dressing, housekeeping and medication management help is available. Meals are included in the monthly rate. Communities offer fun and engaging activities and events for seniors to enjoy with fellow residents.

The monthly rate is typically the base rate of the room plus the level of care the individual requires.

Memory Care allows seniors to live in a senior living community while receiving specific care for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. These communities are secure and safe, where residents are not able to wander out of the community on their own. Meals are included in the monthly rate. Memory Care communities offer fun and engaging activities and events for seniors to enjoy with fellow residents. All care needs are provided for an all-inclusive monthly rate. Incontinence care supplies may be offered by the community at an additional cost. 

• The comfort and peace of mind that compassionate specified care is in place at all times.
• Increased opportunities for socialization, friends and staff are always close by.
• Engaging activities and events, there is always something fun to do.
• Housekeeping and maintenance are no longer the resident’s responsibility.
• Scheduled transportation is available.
• In most cases, physicians come directly to the communities every week. 
• Fitness rooms and beauty/barber shops are right inside the communities. 
• Delicious, healthy and well-balanced meals are offered for proper nutrition.

In many cases, communities are pet friendly and dogs and cats are welcome. The pet policies will vary from community to community. Dogs will typically have to be small. Residents will have to be able to care for their pet, but some communities offer help with pets at an additional cost.

Some communities require residents to “buy in” to their community. A large sum is paid by the resident up front, followed by an additional monthly rate. These communities often ensure that residents will receive the appropriate level of care throughout their life and cannot be asked to move if higher care levels are necessary over time.

Unfortunately, Medicare does not help pay for Independent Living, Assisted Living or Memory Care costs. Florida offers a Medicaid Waiver for Assisted Living or Long-Term Care. Seniors must go through an application process, qualify for and be approved for assistance. Once approved, funds will provided monthly to help cover costs. There are companies that can help seniors and families navigate through the process.

Unfortunately, not all communities are Medicaid communities. There are several communities available that do accept the Medicaid Waiver.

Some communities offer incentives and discounts for veterans.

There are also VA programs for Veterans and their spouses (even for widows of veterans). The Aid and Attendance program for qualifying Veterans will provide funds to help with assisted living monthly costs. There are companies that can help navigate this process such as Patriot Angels. 

We get paid directly from the communities! We only get paid a referral fee once you or your loved one has moved into a community and has lived in the community for at least 30 days.

We do not get paid for Medicaid move-ins, but we still try to help as much as we can and share resources for the programs and agencies that can help the most. 

Seniors and families can go through the process by themselves, but it sure does help the have an Ally in your corner. Ally Senior Living Consultants navigates through the entire process with seniors and families at no cost. We will be there every step of the way. We select several options based on each senior’s unique circumstance and provide them to seniors and families all in one place. We meet with you to discuss the options. We tour with you, offering answers and knowledgeable perspectives. We work with the chosen community to make sure everything is in place and on track for the move in. We share resources for financial programs. We share resources for movers, organizers, estate sales, medical equipment and more. We do the legwork for seniors and families so that the process is as stress free as possible.