10 Best Nursing Homes in Orlando, FL

The median cost of a skilled nursing home in Orlando is $10,159 per month, according to Genworth data.^[02] While Orlando’s costs are slightly higher than the $9,000 national median, nursing homes are generally more expensive than other care types. This is due primarily to the 24-hour medical supervision and specialized care services provided by medically trained staff at nursing homes.
Skilled nursing home costs typically provide an array of medical care services, including the following:

• Skilled nursing care, like wound care, administration of medication, and monitoring vital signs
• Around-the-clock medical supervision
• Three meals per day and snacks
• A private or semi-private room
• Rehabilitation services such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy

Assisted living and memory care costs in Orlando

Assisted living and memory care facilities are less expensive than nursing homes. In Orlando, the median cost of assisted living is $5,375 per month for a private one bedroom apartment. The monthly median price for similar accommodations in a memory care community will cost $5,100, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.^[01] However, unlike nursing homes, they don’t include skilled nursing care services.

Assisted living facilities may be a good fit for seniors who need some assistance with personal care but don’t require 24-hour medical supervision. Memory care communities also don’t provide round-the-clock medical care, but they do offer 24-hour security and supervision to support seniors living with memory loss.

Most families use a combination of private funds and public assistance to pay for senior care in Orlando. This may include funds from a personal savings account or pension payments along with assistance from federally-funded programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and VA benefits.

The following section provides an overview of some of the most common private and public pay methods used by families to cover the costs of a nursing home or other senior care facilities.

Most families use a combination of private funds and public assistance to pay for senior care in Orlando. This may include funds from a personal savings account or pension payments along with assistance from federally-funded programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and VA benefits.

The following section provides an overview of some of the most common private and public pay methods used by families to cover the costs of a nursing home or other senior care facilities.

Nursing homes in Orlando benefit from Florida’s high standards of care. As a result, residents in Florida nursing homes exhibit higher rates of positive health outcomes in several categories, compared to the national average. For example, residents maintained a greater ability to perform self-care tasks — such as mobility and eating — and have fewer incidents of emergency room visits.

These outcomes are indicators of the high-quality care residents receive in Florida nursing homes, according to the annual U.S. News and World Report ranking of nursing homes.^[09]

Who regulates Florida nursing homes?

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) licenses and regulates Florida nursing homes through their Long Term Care Services Unit. The AHCA conducts unannounced evaluations of nursing homes every 15 months. Surveyors review previous inspection reports and ensure nursing facilities stick to regulations like the following:^[10]

• A resident has a right to privacy and a right to make decisions related to their care.
• There should be clear communication between the facility administrators and residents.
• A care plan must be developed within seven days of a resident’s initial assessment.
• Residents should be allowed to choose their own physician and health care services.
• Building facilities must be maintained to current building codes and regulations.

Surveyors also review facility documents to make sure residents are receiving the state’s minimum hourly care requirements from nursing home staff:

• A minimum of 25 hours of care per week should be provided to each resident.
• Two hours of care, out of the 25-hour minimum, must be provided by a nursing assistant each week.
• Two hours of care, out of the 25-hour minimum, must be provided by a licensed nurse each week.

Inspection results for nursing homes in Orlando

You can find inspection results for Orlando nursing homes using the website FloridaHealthFinder.gov. Included in the listings are location, contact information, history, and all inspection results. To find information for specific facilities, follow these search tips:

• Click the “Locate a Facility or Provider” button.
• Select “Search by Facility Type/Location” button.
• Then, in the “Facility/Provider Type” drop down menu, choose “Nursing Home.”
• Enter the assisted living facility’s name, address, city, or other criteria, and click the “Search” button.
• Click on the facility name to go to information page.
• For more details, click on “Inspection Reports” or “Inspection Details” hyperlink.

Federal regulations

In addition to state regulations, nursing homes that are Medicare- or Medicaid-certified are also regulated by the federal government. ACHA surveyors are also responsible for ensuring nursing homes adhere to the federal guidelines set forth by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Federal regulations are illustrated in the Code of Federal Regulations and include the following:

• Facilities must have a designated medical director.
• Facilities must provide care and services that help residents attain or maintain well-being.
• Facilities must conduct periodic assessments of resident’s physical and mental abilities.
• Facilities must create and maintain an emergency preparedness training program.
• Resident rooms must be equipped for nursing care, comfort, and privacy.

To view and compare skilled nursing homes in Orlando, refer to the Medicare care compare tool. The site features a rating system that provides an overall rating out of 5 stars and separate ratings for health inspections, staffing, and other quality measures.

Florida Department of Health contact information

Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) — Long Term Care Services Unit

2727 Mahan Drive, MS#33

Tallahassee, FL 32308

Phone: 805-412-4303

Email: LTCStaff@ahca.myflorida.com

COVID-19 regulations for Orlando nursing homes

While Florida doesn’t have COVID-19 guidelines for senior care facilities, it does provide a COVID-19 Weekly Situation Report detailing the latest infection information for the state.

Florida’s nursing homes are held to high standards by state regulations, which results in quality care and better health among residents. Examples of quality care in Florida nursing homes is illustrated by the lower rates of falls and emergency room visits, as well as a higher rate of self-care among residents. In addition to excellent care, Orlando’s centralized location, great weather, and easy access to fun activities create a desirable place to live for seniors.

What skilled nursing care services are provided in Orlando nursing homes?

Nursing homes provide care for seniors who need round-the-clock attention and specialized medical care. Some examples of the nursing care services your loved one can access on-site in a nursing home may include:

• Assistance with daily activities, such as eating and bathing
• Specialized therapies, like pulmonary rehabilitation or physical therapy
• Around-the clock access to medical professionals
• Wound care
• Cardiac care
• Diabetic care
• Catheter or colostomy care
• Medication management and administration

Nursing home care is comprehensive and is not necessary for all seniors, especially if it’s not recommended by a doctor. Most assisted living and memory care facilities don’t provide 24/7 nursing care, so they’re substantially more cost-effective. Assisted living may be a better option for more independent seniors who need nonmedical care support and have a desire to live in a community-like setting. While assisted living may not provide 24/7 nursing care, these facilities can provide an array of personal care and other supportive services.

Orlando senior care options

General senior care facilities — like assisted living and memory care — in Orlando often offer multiple levels of care in one community. For example, a community may have access to independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing wings all on one large campus. This allows residents to continue to live in a familiar community, even as their care needs change. A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with Medicaid-approved nursing homes, but we do partner with senior care communities like these that offer access to multiple care types and services.

Daily living in Orlando’s senior care facilities

Community living is what Orlando’s senior care facilities are all about. Most facilities provide a variety of on-site social activities, ranging from frequent parties and celebrations to games and clubs. Book clubs are popular, and so is trivia.

Activity schedules are designed to keep residents active and entertained. Some communities even have garden clubs for residents who like to put their green thumb to good use. There are also several ways to stay in shape, with group exercise classes like tai chi and water aerobics.

While Orlando’s median age is 36, those 60 and older carve out a substantial 16% of the population.^[11] Over 50% of our partner communities take advantage of the variety of activities available to seniors across the Orlando area, with planned off-site activities.^[01] For instance, our partner communities often plan exciting day trips, providing residents opportunities to have meaningful experiences outside the comforts of home.

As the largest city in central Florida, Orlando has a variety of health care options. The hospitals we highlight here are top-ranked nationally and excel at providing a number of specialties for seniors.

Most Orlando residents use a car as their primary mode of transportation. That said, nearly 75% of A Place for Mom’s partner communities in Orlando offer parking for seniors with cars and their visiting family members.

However, seniors who no longer drive also have some options for getting around. Most of our partner assisted living and memory care communities provide on-site transportation services to residents, the safest and most convenient option for seniors. Residents typically use community transportation services for short trips, such as attending a doctor’s appointment or participating in a group outing.

Lynx is Orlando’s public transportation system and seniors may qualify for reduced fares through the AdvantAge Fare Program for Seniors. Lynx buses are most convenient near Orlando’s city center, but they also serve many of its suburbs. While all Lynx buses are equipped to accommodate individuals with mobility challenges, it’s recommended that seniors use public transportation with caution. Lynx route maps can be used to plan trips and view bus schedules ahead of time.

Orlando’s more than 200 days of sunshine each year and its laid-back Florida spirit make it a wonderful place for seniors to live in comfort. Our Orlando partner senior care facilities offer a variety of activities, from specialty clubs to in-house live performances. On-site games and social functions create an enjoyable community setting.

At least 63% of our partner assisted living and memory care facilities also organize off-site outings for residents. These outings make sightseeing and other outdoor activities accessible for residents of all abilities.

Orlando boasts numerous city parks and over 100 lakes and springs for those who love to get outside. The theme parks are a draw for visiting families as well as the seaside beaches, which are just 90 minutes away. There are also plenty of indoor activity options around Orlando, like museums where visitors can observe the beauty of the natural world and engage in local history. Read on for some activity highlights for seniors in Orlando.

Orlando outdoor activities for seniors

• Shingle Creek Trail provides an accessible paved trail that winds through the park’s wetlands and loops around Lake Fran. Bird watchers will get a chance to view bald eagles nesting in the park’s trees or turtles bathing in the sun. There’s also lake access for fishing and quiet spots to sit to enjoy nature’s solitude.
• Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures take tours through Orlando’s wetlands up a notch. Search for gators from the safety of an airboat before wandering through the butterfly garden. The surrounding park has wide, easy-to-navigate trails and Boggy Creek offers complimentary wheelchairs for visitors. Airboats cannot accommodate wheelchairs, but they are easy to get to and staff can provide assistance with boarding if necessary. With a variety of package options, you can stop for a few hours or make a day of it.
• Blue Spring State Park with its dangling Spanish moss, palms, and crystal clear water is a relaxing spot to enjoy an afternoon. The consistant temperature of the springs offer a place to cool off in the summer. During the winter months, view the hundreds of manatee from the spring side boardwalks.

Coast to coast, from Orlando

Orlando’s central location makes it a great place from which to start other adventures. A two-hour drive to the Tampa/St. Petersburg area offers access to the Gulf of Mexico and numerous dining and cultural activity options. One hour east has you arriving at some of Florida’s most beautiful Atlantic coast beaches and quaint coastal towns.

• The Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg has the largest collection of the artist’s work outside of his home country of Spain. The museum experience is available to people of all abilities with accommodations for people with vision, hearing, and mobility needs. The museum also offers a guide book to help visitors plan for their visit.
• The Kennedy Space Center sits on the pristine beaches of Canaveral National Seashore. Visiting the Space Center starts in the past and rockets to the future with comprehensive exhibits that explore the history of the space program. Both self and guided tours offer several accessibility options.
• Just north of the Space Center, you can find all the charms of a classic Florida beach town preserved in New Smyrna Beach. From the fine white sand beaches to the historic downtown strip lined with great seafood restaurants, art galleries, and lively entertainment, there’s plenty to experience.

History, art, and dining in Orlando

• The Titanic Artifact Museum holds over 300 artifacts from the world’s most famous shipwreck.
• The Albin Polasak Museum and Sculpture Garden displays the sculptures of one of America’s finest sculptors. Surrounded by meandering paths, the museum is housed on a sprawling estate that overlooks Lake Osceola.
• For a taste of central Florida’s eclectic dining options, choose from dozens of restaurants along Orlando’s Restaurant Row. Explore international flavors from Turkey and Japan, or sip on wine while experiencing a new take on some old favorites.