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Fort Myers, a city of 86,395 people in southwest Florida, has much to recommend to retirement-age adults. Its extremely pleasant winters see temperature highs staying firmly in the mid-70s from December through February. Across the state of Florida, the cost of living is generally 2.8% higher than elsewhere in the United States, but in Fort Myers, it’s 3.8% below that average. What’s more, Florida has no income tax requirement. These senior-friendly features result in a larger-than-normal percentage of older adults calling Fort Myers home; 22.2% of the city’s residents are senior citizens.
Older adults looking to make the move to Fort Myers may consider assisted living as an alternative to independent housing or a nursing care facility. Staff and medical professionals in an assisted living community offer residents help with the basic activities of everyday living, such as grooming and eating. According to Genworth Financial, the average monthly cost for assisted living in Fort Myers is $4,334, slightly less than the U.S. average.
This guide to assisted living in Fort Myers examines such costs in other Florida cities. It also lists some senior-focused resources that can help you get the most out of your retirement in southwest Florida.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Florida. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
Fort Myers seniors pay an average of $4,334 per month for assisted living care.
The city’s price for assisted living falls between Florida and U.S. averages. Throughout Florida, the average price is $4,000 a month, but the U.S. average of $4,500 is roughly 4% higher than Fort Myers’.
There’s a fairly wide price range for assisted living throughout the state. Prices are lowest in Gainesville, where seniors pay just $2,350, and Tampa residents also see relatively low costs of $3,350 a month. Miami’s price of $4,385 is similar to Fort Myers’, with Florida capital Tallahassee a bit more expensive at $4,650. The high end of the Florida price range for assisted living is represented by Naples at $5,300, with Panama City not too far behind at $5,081 a month.
Note: Data for Fort Myers was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Cape Coral, was used instead.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Florida.
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(866) 413-5337 |
The AAASWFL is a central point for information regarding resources for older adults in the Fort Myers area. Operators of its Elder Helpline can put seniors in touch with government and nonprofit programs that can help them locate, investigate and pay for long-term care. The AAASWFL also helps battle elder abuse in the region, providing a dedicated reporting hotline and raising awareness through special events and caregiver training. | |
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(239) 332-5346 |
This organization focuses on getting seniors involved in the local community through volunteer opportunities. Programs include a Senior Companions initiative that connects isolated seniors with new friends to improve their quality of life, as well as a Faith in Action program aimed at connecting senior volunteer drivers with homebound seniors who need assistance running errands and getting to medical appointments. | |
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(239) 533-4780 |
Seniors who have vision issues or physical disabilities that hamper their ability to read traditional books can take advantage of this library’s audiobook and audio magazine program. The Talking Book program is available in person at the library, by mail or by download, and many materials are available in both Spanish and English. | |
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(239) 225-1900 |
This straightforward online portal helps Florida seniors easily find rides between any destinations in the state by selecting the purpose of their trip and stating any medical- or age-related accommodations they may need. Providers include traditional ridesharing and taxi services as well as senior-focused volunteer organizations. | |
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(239) 590-1000 |
Florida state law allows state residents 60 years of age and up to take non-credit classes for free at state universities. Space is limited, so each university handles the application process slightly differently; contact a specific state university registrar’s office for details on its availability. Fort Myers’ Florida Gulf Coast University allows seniors to sign up for a total of 15 credit hours, though such classes cannot count toward a degree. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Fort Myers area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
