Memory Care Communities in St Petersburg, Florida

Memory Care costs in St. Petersburg start around $5,048 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 St. Petersburg 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.

To pay for memory care services in St. Petersburg, seniors typically rely on public benefits and personal funds. Depending on an individual’s access to financial resources and eligibility status, they may cover long-term care costs with Medicaid, Medicare, veterans benefits and their own money. 

• Medicaid:  Qualified seniors in St. Petersburg pay for memory care services through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program. This entitlement program covers personal care services, recreational activities, meals and transportation.
• Medicare: Medicare’s coverage doesn’t apply to nonmedical care services such as custodial care, meals and housing. However, seniors can use this insurance to pay for medically necessary services and supplies they receive in memory care facilities.
• VA Benefits: The VA helps seniors pay for memory care services, including custodial care, meals and transportation, through two benefit programs. The Aid and Attendance benefit increases the recipient’s monthly pension, providing more money for care and living expenses, while the Geriatrics and Extended Care program provides direct coverage for a variety of services.
• Private Payments: Seniors in memory care facilities rely on personal income and assets to cover all types of expenses, such as housing, personal care and recreational activities. Common sources for private payments include pensions, Social Security benefits, retirement savings and reverse mortgage loans.

Located just to the south of Tampa, Florida, St. Petersburg is home to more than 47,000 seniors over the age of 65, some of whom make up the 520,000 people in the state who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. To care for these seniors, there are 11 memory care facilities located in St. Petersburg and surrounding cities like Pinellas Park.

In St. Petersburg and the state of Florida, memory care facilities are assisted living facilities (ALFs) that operate under a limited mental health license (LMH). These facilities must house at least three individuals who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia and who receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

Benefits

• Memory care residents in St. Petersburg receive dementia support and comprehensive medical services through several hospitals and benefit from state-of-the-art services. For example, the city contains St. Anthony’s Hospital, which houses the Memory Disorders Center.
• St. Petersburg’s weather appeals to older adults who enjoy warm weather. Daytime temperatures in this city range from 69 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 89 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Memory care facilities provide a range of amenities to help residents stay cool in the summer months, with our Caring.com database showing over a dozen local facilities with swimming pools.
• Florida doesn’t levy income taxes on any form of income, promoting seniors’ financial stability and helping many afford memory care expenses in St. Petersburg.

Drawbacks

• Violent and property-related crimes occur at a higher frequency in St. Petersburg than in a typical U.S. community, with the city reporting a total annual crime rate of roughly 33 incidents per 1,000 people. Fortunately, memory care residents enjoy safe environments with security features such as surveillance cameras and alarm systems.
• St. Petersburg’s cost of living runs about 1.5% above the national norm, which may impact affordability for those with limited resources. Fortunately, seniors have several options for paying for care, including income-based Medicaid benefits.