The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Marion County, FL for 2024

Marion County is in the center of the Florida panhandle, north of Orlando, with the city of Ocala as the county seat. It has a population of 354,353 residents. About 90,000 of those people are age 65 or older, and as many as 11,000 of them are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia.

To support those living in Marion County, there are nine specialized assisted living facilities, called Extended Congregate Care (ECC), in the cities of Ocala and Dunnellon. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration licenses and regulates them.

• Marion County's annual rainfall of 51 inches is more than the national average of 39 by 12 inches. It never receives snowfall, and the sun shines 233 days annually. Summer high temperatures top out at 93 degrees, and the winter lows are a pleasant 43. Marion County scored a 74 out of 100 in Sperling's Comfort Index, compared to the U.S. average of 54.
  
• Florida does not have a state income tax, and seniors receive favorable treatment by the Department of Revenue. Families and elderly members may find extra money in the budget after bills are paid that can be spent on continued care, as needed.
  
• The cost of living in Marion County is 108, which is only 8 points higher than the U.S. median. All categories are within a few points of the average, so families looking for an ECC in this area should not expect to pay extra for basic living expenses.
  
• The violent crime rate here is higher than the U.S. average, and the property crime rate is a little less. Family members should feel comfortable knowing that the city is a safe environment for seniors, and the extra security measures implemented by the ECC regulations can increase the safety of all the patients at the facility.

Memory Care costs in Marion County start around $4,870 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Marion County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Memory Care in Florida page.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Florida page.

Marion County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Florida are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Florida page for more information about these laws.