Stretched along Florida’s Atlantic Coast, West Palm Beach is a vibrant suburban city home to more than 117,000 residents. Its beautiful beaches, tropical climate and access to world-class health care facilities make the city a great place to retire. In fact, 19.2% of the city’s population are seniors aged 65 and older.
To serve this large senior demographic, the city offers a variety of local resources and long-term care options, one of which is assisted living. Assisted living facilities can help seniors maintain a high quality of life as they age, offering assistance with daily tasks, personal care services and wellness programming all in a safe and social environment. In the West Palm Beach area, these facilities typically cost $3,763 per month, which is lower than both the statewide and national averages.
The following guide is designed to help seniors and their families make informed decisions about long-term care by providing information about assisted living. It includes a breakdown of the cost of these services in West Palm Beach and nearby cities, tips on how to get financial assistance and a list of some local resources available to promote healthy and happy aging.
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.
Assisted living facilities in West Palm Beach cost an average of $3,763 per month, but rates may vary from facility to facility.
West Palm Beach is considered a very affordable city for assisted living. Not only do rates fall below the state median, but they’re also almost $750 lower than the U.S. national average.
While cities such as West Palm Beach ($3,763) and Orlando ($4,000) are close to the state average, some areas are much more expensive. Seniors in Pensacola or Miami might expect to pay between $300-$400 more per month. Florida’s most expensive city is Naples, where assisted living costs $5,300 per month. Rates in Tallahassee and Jacksonville are also high at $4,650 and $4,660, respectively. Seniors looking for more affordable rates may opt for areas such as Tampa ($3,350) or perhaps Gainesville ($2,350).
Note: Data for West Palm Beach was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Port St. Lucie, was used instead.
How to Get Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in West Palm Beach
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.
Resource | Contact | Service |
Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast | (866) 684-5885 | The Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast connects seniors and their caregivers with programs and services to help preserve their independence, health and well-being. The nonprofit administers programs such as case management, nutrition counseling, companionship, personal care services and caregiver support, as well as evidence-based health programs such as fall prevention and diabetes self-management. The organization also operates a Benefits Enrollment Center to help seniors navigate their health coverage options. Specialists are available via the organization’s helpline to provide information and assistance. |
Palm Beach County Division of Senior Services | (561) 355-4750 | Palm Beach County’s Division of Senior Services helps support the needs of the region’s aging population through programs and services such as case management, adult day care, nutrition counseling, tax assistance and health screenings. The agency also operates three seniors centers, the closest of which is the North County Senior Center in Palm Beach Gardens — only a 15-minute drive away. No membership or fee is required. |
211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast | 211 | 211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast is a free, confidential helpline available 24 hours a day. Seniors can dial 211 to speak with a highly trained resource specialist who can offer information and assistance with accessing social services and community resources. The agency also operates two senior-specific programs — an elder crisis outreach line and Sunshine Calls telephone reassurance program. |
Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Program | (561) 514-5400 | Administered through Palm Beach County Human Services, the Assisted Living (ALF) program provides eligible seniors with short-term financial sponsorship to cover the cost of placement in an assisted living facility. To qualify for this program, seniors must display a medical need for care in an ALF as prescribed by a physician and meet the established financial requirements. Sponsorships usually cover stays up to a maximum of six months, but they may be extended on a case-by-case basis. |
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County | (561) 655-8944 or (800) 403-9353 | Seniors aged 60 and older are eligible for legal advice and representation through the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. It supports seniors’ rights in cases pertaining to public health benefits, public guardianship, consumer fraud prevention, housing matters, veterans affairs and elder abuse. |
Palm Beach County Prescription Discount Card | (877) 321-2652 | With the Palm Beach County Prescription Discount Card, seniors can save an average of 20-50% on their monthly prescription medications. The program is open to anyone living in Palm Beach County, regardless of age, income or health insurance coverage. Seniors can pick up their discount cards at designated locations throughout the county or print one off online. |
Palm Beach County Veteran Services | (561) 694-7450 | Palm Beach County Veteran Services provides information and assistance to help veterans and their dependents access the benefits they’re entitled to. This can include disability compensations, health care benefits, life insurance coverage, burial benefits and veterans pensions. Seniors in West Palm Beach are served by the North County Office in Riviera Beach. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the West Palm Beach 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.