Panama City is home to about 33,000 residents, nearly a fifth of whom are seniors. The Alzheimer’s Association projects a significant increase in the number of Floridians diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the coming years. This disease has already had a considerable impact on public health in the Panama City region. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that between 2016 and 2020, the number of Alzheimer’s-related deaths in the region went up by 60%. About 8% of deaths in the region in 2016 were linked to Alzheimer’s, compared to nearly 12% in 2020.
Residential dementia care communities meet the unique needs of seniors with Alzheimer’s and related diseases, promoting a high quality of life and encouraging independence and self-direction. These facilities provide individualized care plans, daily meals and dementia-informed therapies and recreational activities such as pet therapy, art classes and life skills stations.
This guide compares local memory care costs with rates in nearby cities, and it highlights some of the most common ways families pay for care. It also outlines some of the specific licensing requirements memory care facilities follow.
"The tour at Charter Senior Living of Panama City Beach was very good. The lady that set it up wasn't there, but the director of nurses was and we had a good interview. He said, "We'd love to have you here." You don't have to go and eat all the time t..."
"I toured BeeHive Homes Assisted Living of Lynn Haven. Overall, it was very good with very caring staff. I liked that it was small, and they only had 17 residents. It was the closest to me, so the location was good. It was well staffed, but it was jus..."
"My loved one has moved to The Landing of Panama City Beach. They are very helpful. They are willing to talk to us and help us in any way they can. The staff is pretty good. The facility is clean, neat, and in order. They had a little bit of disorgani..."
"We've got our mother an apartment at Superior Residences of Panama City Beach. They've been so friendly. The staff we have met so far have been extremely nice and helpful. It's just been a good experience. The food was good and healthy. They have eve..."
12219 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach, FL 32407
5.0
(2 reviews)
"I went to The Blake at Panama City Beach. I like everything about that place. That is the one that I would go to if and when I am able to. The staff is very, very helpful and very friendly. You could just tell they are willing to help in any situatio..."
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The Cost of Memory Care in Nearby Cities
Panama City is a relatively expensive place to obtain memory care, with monthly rates averaging $6,351. This is well above respective state and national norms of $5,000 and $5,625, as well as rates in nearby cities. In Crestview, rates are comparable at $6,155, but seniors may save about $500 per month by choosing a residential community in Tallahassee. Seniors in Pensacola pay $5,404 for care, and in Gainesville, rates are about half of Panama City’s norm at $2,938.
Panama City
$6,351
Florida
$5,000
The United States
$5,625
Crestview
$6,155
Pensacola
$5,404
Tallahassee
$5,813
Gainesville
$2,938
Paying for Memory Care in Panama City
Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we’ve estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.
In Panama City, memory care facilities charge approximately $6,351 per month for services.
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Panama City
In Panama City there are options for seniors who need financial assistance paying for Memory Care. For more information about other options, who qualifies, and how to apply, visit our Memory Care in Florida page.
More Ways to Pay for Memory Care
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.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Memory care facilities in Panama City charge relatively high monthly rates of $6,351, making this one of the most expensive long-term care options in the city. While nursing home care is costlier at $8,629 for semiprivate accommodations, assisted living facilities charge comparatively economical monthly rates of $5,081. Seniors who arrange in-home care or home health care pay $4,767 for full-time care.
Memory Care
$6,351
In-Home Care
$4,767
Home Health Care
$4,767
Assisted Living Facility
$5,081
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
$8,629
Free & Low-Cost Memory Care Resources in Panama City
Panama City is home to agencies and programs that support seniors and families affected by dementia. The following table highlights helpful resources for residents, including the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, the Area Agency on Aging and the long-term care ombudsman. Through these resources, seniors and families can get help with finding the right dementia care community for their needs and budgets and navigate the move-in process.
The COA is a nonprofit organization that serves those aged 60 and over in Panama City through information and referrals, direct services and public benefits assistance. Seniors and families can contact this organization for help with finding dementia-friendly resources in the community.
As the Area Agency on Aging for Panama City, Advantage Aging Solutions helps seniors and families locate financial and legal advisors, benefits specialists and long-term care counselors in the region to help them navigate dementia care options.
Dementia Family Pathways is a nonprofit organization that publishes information on dementia-related topics and gathers reviews of dementia care communities throughout the region. It hosts informational workshops that are open to the public that discuss dementia challenges.
The Florida Gulf Coast chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association hosts fundraising events to support Alzheimer’s research, and it publishes free educational resources on topics related to dementia, including recognizing the signs and managing symptoms. It also oversees support groups and early stage engagement programs for those with dementia.
The long-term care ombudsman helps seniors and families find the best dementia care communities for their needs and navigate the move-in process. It can also help families find ways to pay for their loved ones’ care.
The county’s Veterans Services office can help older veterans apply for programs that may help pay for dementia care, including pension benefits, Aid and Attendance and disability compensation. It also provides referrals for veterans’ services, including medical equipment loans and support groups.
Legal Services of North Florida specializes in age-related civil legal issues such as applying for public benefits, simple estate planning and assigning powers of attorney. It can also act as a public guardian for those unable to make decisions on their own behalf.
What to Consider About Memory Care in Panama City
In Panama City, memory care facilities are licensed by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, Bureau of Health Facility Regulation. This agency ensures a high standard of care for residents with dementia through increased licensure requirements related to staff training, building security and activities programming. It enforces these requirements through a rigorous licensing process and regular inspections.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Care in Panama City
Panama City’s low cost of living may make it an attractive option for seniors and families with limited budgets for long-term care. On a 100-point index, with 100 representing the national average, the city rates 88.4. Real estate costs are especially affordable in this city, which may promote competitive memory care pricing.
Florida doesn’t have a state income tax, an estate or an inheritance tax. This offers a potential annual savings of thousands of dollars compared to income tax rates in other states, which may make memory care in Panama City a financially viable option for many seniors and families.
Compared to the nation as a whole, Panama City has very high crime rates. The city rates 43.6 for violent crime and 84.6 for property crime on a 100-point index that gives higher scores to communities with higher crime statistics. While this may be a concern for some families, memory care facilities ensure a safe environment for seniors through advanced security features such as alarm systems and high-security locks.
Daytime temperatures in Panama City range from 63 degrees in the winter to 90 degrees in the summer, appealing to many who enjoy outdoor living. Snowfall is highly unusual but the city gets 60 inches of rain, with measurable rain falling 107 days out of the year. Memory care facilities organize indoor and outdoor activities throughout the year to support residents’ safety and comfort.
Health care costs in Panama City are in line with nationwide norms, which may make the city a financially feasible option for those managing chronic conditions such as dementia. While there are only 188 doctors per capita in this city compared to the national average of 210, residents have access to two local hospitals, including Ascension Sacred Heart Bay and HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital. This can ensure prompt access to necessary medical care.
Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Panama City
Panama City Memory Care Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Memory Care Facilities in Florida are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Florida page for more information about these laws.