10 Best Independent Living Communities in Venice, FL

You or your loved one can pay for independent living in a variety of ways. Some seniors use a combination of resources to cover the costs, while others foot the bill completely out of pocket. To help you understand your options, we’ve provided additional information on a range of payment methods, including private resources, VA benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare.

In Florida, independent living communities have one main regulation: At least 80% of units must be occupied by individuals who are 55 or older.^[04] If operating as an age-restricted community, the property owner must demonstrate that they provide housing for older adults through their policies and procedures.

Independent living communities must also follow the same laws as other rental properties. This means they must comply with the following regulations:

• The Fair Housing Act, which protects renters and home-buyers from discrimination.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act, which protects people with disabilities from discrimination.
• Standards set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Senior communities are subject to additional regulations if they offer additional services outside of independent living, such as assisted living or memory care.

All long-term care facilities are subject to regular inspections by Florida’s Department of Health. These inspections will assess the state of the property and determine whether the community is providing the appropriate services associated with its license. You can view inspection reports online on the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration website.

Florida Department of Health contact information

Florida Department of Health
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: 850-245-4444
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Venice independent living communities

The state of Florida has no specific COVID-19 regulations for independent living communities aside from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention best practices. However, individual communities may have their own guidelines. Inquire directly with your chosen facility for more information.

Independent living communities are similar in nature to apartments; they offer seniors the option to live independently with a few additional perks. Venice is the perfect place if you’re looking for an independent living facility in a beachside city. You’ll love the city’s subtropical climate and Italian architecture. Plus, some facilities may even seem like resorts, providing residents with access to plentiful amenities. In the following sections, we’ll take a look at what you can expect from independent living in Venice, Florida.

Continuum of care

Many senior living communities offer a continuum of care. These facilities allow you to age in place should you need assistance or additional services in the future. In Venice, you’ll be able to choose from the following partner facilities:

• 2 stand-alone independent living facilities
• 1 independent living and senior apartment facility
• 2 independent living and assisted living facilities
• 5 combination independent living, assisted living, and memory care facilities

On-site amenities

Most independent living communities in Venice take the idea of convenience and relaxation seriously, putting a great deal of thought into the amenities they offer. If you’re looking for a community with an on-site fitness center, for example, you won’t be disappointed. Roughly 70% of communities in our partner network offer this amenity. You’ll also find communities where you can take a dip at the on-site swimming pool, get a little creative at the arts and crafts center, sit down with a good book at the in-house library, or shoot a round of pool at a billiards lounge. Need to narrow down your independent living community choices? It’s all a matter of determining what amenities you want.

Getting around town

Though independent living communities are perfect for seniors who don’t require assistance with daily activities, our partner network understands the difficulties of traveling when you’re older. Many communities make it easy for residents to get around town by offering resident parking options. Additionally, 70% of our partner facilities provide complimentary transportation, and 30% offer at-cost transportation.

Health care for seniors in Venice

Transportation for seniors in Venice

Of our partner independent living communities in Venice, 70% offer complimentary transportation, and 30% offer at-cost transportation making it easy to get around.^[07] However, there are other ways to get around Venice, too.

Though the area is mostly car-dependent, Sarasota County Area Transportation (SCAT) operates two bus lines in Venice. Seniors and Medicare cardholders receive a discounted fare of $0.75 for one-way trips, and anyone 80 or older rides for free. SCAT also operates SCATPlus, a curb-to-curb rideshare service for individuals who are unable to use fixed routes. The cost of the SCATPlus service is $3 per trip, and personal care attendants ride for free.

Active seniors should know that Venice is bikeable, earning a score of 56 out of 100 for its bike infrastructure.^[08] In fact, the city has been recognized as a Silver Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Trails of note are the Legacy Trail, Venetian Waterway Park Trail, and Island Park Loop.

If you’re hoping to get around by foot, it all depends on the neighborhood. Venice has a walk score of 31 out of 100, with the neighborhoods of Venice, Venice Edgewood, and East Gate ranking anywhere from 41 to 51 for walkability.^[08]

Senior activities in Venice

Venice is home to a range of activities and attractions that may be of interest to seniors. To start, there are the beaches. Venice Beach and Caspersen Beach are must-sees. Caspersen Beach, in particular, features a beach as well as a nature trail that takes you through a coastal hammock of dunes, marshes, mangroves, and tidal flats. It’s become quite the destination for bird and other wildlife watching. Outside of Venice, Sarasota is another wonderful option for beaches where you can soak up the sun at Lido Beach and Siesta Key Beach.

Speaking of birdwatching, the Venice Area Audubon Society will not disappoint. While its nature center is currently closed to the public, the “rookery” is open from dawn to dusk and offers seniors opportunities for free birdwatching. You can also participate in one of its many programs, such as its birding field trips, bird stewardship, pollinator garden, and more.

If angling is more your game, then a trip to the Venice Fishing Pier is in order. With 700 feet of area to cast your line, there’s most definitely a spot for you. But you can only drop one line in the waters, as per a recent ordinance. Once you’ve caught your fill, consider heading over to Centennial Park. This park features ample green space, walking paths, picnic areas, and beautiful landscaping. Plus, the central gazebo holds regular events and concerts that may be of interest.

Should you want to enjoy the arts, there’s always the Venice Community Center. Depending on the month, you can listen to some music at a tribute concert, hit up the booths at an arts and crafts show, or find some treasures at an antique show. You can also visit the Venice Museum and Archives. There, you’ll find more than 30,000 photographs, archives, and other objects on the city’s history.

Out and about on a Saturday? You must make a point of swinging by the Venice Farmers’ Market. Obviously, you can pick up a week’s worth of produce, bread, and seafood from a host of different vendors. Just don’t forget to grab a delicious lunch from one of the food stalls and enjoy some live music from local entertainers.

If you’re looking for fellowship, the Senior Friendship Center is a great place to socialize and participate in an array of activities, such as fitness classes, book clubs, crafting, Tai chi, ballroom dancing, crocheting, pickleball, and more. All classes and activities are free to members, and annual memberships currently run $125.