10 Best Nursing Homes in Pensacola, FL

There is no single way that people pay for their monthly nursing home, assisted living, or memory care facility costs in the Pensacola area. Most use a combination of methods. The top four include tapping into private savings and income, leveraging VA benefits, offsetting medical fees with Medicare coverage, and, for those who meet low-income criteria, getting assistance through Medicaid.

All facilities that fall under the broader nursing home category, including assisted living and memory care communities, are licensed by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration’s Bureau of Health Facility Regulation.

Inspections of senior living facilities in the Pensacola area cover quite a bit of ground. Inspectors check everything from fiscal records and facility policies to staff education plans, and training standards, patient advance directives, and professional medical staff service agreements. To access the inspection report, use this facility locator. It’s important to note that if a senior care facility fails a certain part of the inspection, the AHCA records and makes available any identified deficiencies through a public record search. Once your relative has transitioned to an assisted living or memory care facility, you have the option to report any concerns to the AHCA for appropriate action.

All nursing home facilities, assisted living communities, and memory care facilities must maintain specific staff-to-patient ratios, meet training regulations, have individual care plans for all residents, and provide all required activities. Every facility must prioritize its residents’ care, comfort, and concerns, encompassing aspects such as staff training, and nutritional programming. In addition to Florida laws and regulations, skilled nursing facilities are also governed by federal laws and regulations, too.

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 Pensacola nursing homes

Florida nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and memory care units aren’t required to follow specific COVID-19 guidelines. However, they are encouraged to follow best practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other serious conditions that could be especially dangerous for the elderly as well as those who are immunocompromised. This includes getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the seasonal flu and masking when appropriate.

Every senior living facility we partner with within 10 miles of historic Pensacola has its own character and amenities. This makes it simpler for you to find the right fit for your parent, spouse, or other loved one. Whether you’re searching for somewhere that offers occasional skilled nursing care, round-the-clock access to skilled nursing, or specialized services like memory care, you can find it within this Florida panhandle city.

Living in Pensacola can be understandably humid in the summertime due to its location along the clear waters of the Gulf Shore. Nevertheless, it’s still one of the most popular places in America for older adults to retire.^[01]

Types of senior living facilities

You’ll discover that there isn’t just one particular kind of senior living facility in Pensacola. While some are standalone properties, others are part of large communities with beautifully landscaped lawns, common spaces, gardens, and walking paths.

One of the most popular types falls under the category of assisted living. Assisted living communities are excellent choices for seniors who are at least moderately independent. With assisted living, they’re able to get help when they need it but have the freedom to engage in all the pastimes they adore.

Another commonly searched type of senior living facility is one dedicated to residents with cognitive impairment due to a condition like Alzheimer’s. These memory care communities are designed to provide safe residential housing and focused attention, treatments, and services.

A Place for Mom currently partners with 12 assisted living and memory care facilities within 10 miles of Pensacola’s central downtown and three additional facilities within a 25-mile radius of that same area.

Seven are stand-alone assisted living facilities, and two are stand-alone memory care facilities. The others are all combined communities that offer a mix of residential housing and care opportunities like adult daycare programs and licensed group home setups. You may want to consider a combination community if you’re planning to move with your loved one to Pensacola and you each require different levels of care.

Senior living designed for modern seniors

The senior living facilities in Pensacola you’ll explore through A Place for Mom all provide different types of care. There are some commonalities, however. For instance, all our partner assisted living and memory care community listings have staff members available 24 hours a day and give residents regular access to a visiting physical therapist. Beyond those services, you can find a wide array of additional skilled nursing and medically-focused options such as full medication management, on-call doctors, on-site hospice, and visiting nurses and other medical professionals.

Entertainment and activities

Seniors who move to assisted living facilities or memory care communities typically want to continue living as they did in their previous homes. For this reason, 92% of our partner facilities hire activity directors to plan everything from art and cooking classes to day trips around Pensacola and live music opportunities.

Be sure to ask about the happenings that are regularly held at each of your top facilities. You may be surprised to hear about all the happy hours, fitness sessions, picnics, parties, devotional services, and games that happen each week. Remember, too, that visitors are usually welcome to join in on these activities for quality time with loved ones.

Health care for seniors in Pensacola

Transportation for seniors in Pensacola

It’s not unusual for the majority of seniors living in assisted living communities, memory care facilities, and other skilled nursing facilities to rely on the transportation offered by their communities. A full 92% of all the Pensacola assisted living and memory care facilities partnered with A Place for Mom offer free transportation options. Three-quarters offer transportation for a nominal fee.

However, this doesn’t mean your loved one can’t use other types of transportation as long as he or she is accompanied by a responsible caregiver. For instance, residents and tourists alike often use the ECAT bus line. Operated by the Escambia County Area Transit, the ECAT bus lines are extensive enough to get riders across the city easily and affordably. ECAT buses are accessible and wheelchair-friendly. However, if your loved one requires extra assistance, you may want to check out the curb-to-curb services provided by ECAT ADA.

There are a few other transportation choices for Pensacola seniors as well. The first is called the Go Seniors! Transportation Program. Run by the ECMS Foundation, it’s specifically set up to transport seniors to medical visits. Riders need to get vouchers for Go Seniors! from their health care providers so they can ride for just $20 each trip.

The second Pensacola transportation possibility aside from the ECAT is the ECCT Paratransit Services program. Though it’s free, it’s not guaranteed, and you need to call at least a day in advance before noon to see if you can get a spot. Nevertheless, it’s a great solution for seniors on fixed incomes who don’t have other means of transportation or may not be close enough to an ECAT bus line.

Freedom To Go rounds out the non-ECAT transit options. This private transportation service is tailored exclusively for seniors in Pensacola, providing a convenient way for seniors to travel within the city. Whether it’s for doctor appointments, grocery shopping, or simply enjoying brunch outings with friends, their drivers are readily available Monday through Friday, operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Prices often fluctuate based on changes in gas prices, ensuring fair and current rates for all passengers.

Senior activities in Pensacola

It would be impossible to talk about Pensacola’s biggest tourist attractions without starting with its range of beaches. Thanks to the city’s location along the warm Gulf of Mexico shoreline, beaches are plentiful and diversified.

Without a doubt, Pensacola Beach is one of the most well-known and popular. With its iconic 1,500-foot-long pier, it’s ideal for fishing, beachcombing, and general sightseeing. Yet it’s far from being the only place where sand, sea, and surf combine. Other beach must-sees include the Gulf Island National Seashore less-groomed Johnson Beach and Perdido Key Beach, as well as Opal Beach, Park West, and Langdon Beach.

Before you head to any Pensacola beach with your loved one, plan ahead. Not all offer on-duty lifeguards or feature amenities like public bathrooms. Plus, many aren’t well suited for individuals who use wheelchairs or assisted devices like walkers and canes. Not to worry: There are plenty of other places to explore in this welcoming Panhandle city.

Pensacola museums and landmarks

Residents and tourists alike appreciate all the landmarks and historic sites throughout Pensacola. If your loved one enjoys visiting museums, try The National Naval Aviation Museum. The exhibits include a massive collection of aircraft. It’s free to everyone, although you can enjoy extra experiences like a flight simulator or for a fee or the ability to catch a Blue Angels flying practice.

Another military-inspired museum is the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, which is located at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. Only the first floor offers wheelchair accessibility. Still, it’s a terrific tribute to the area’s maritime history. Plus, the space gives both seniors and military members a nice discount on the already-low daily admission price.

If you and your relatives are searching for more of an immersive museum experience, try the Historic Pensacola Village. It’s yet another place that discounts tickets for seniors ages 65+.  The site consists of several properties and museums, each of which helps visitors get a better picture of the past 450 years in the Pensacola region.

When you’re ready to relax but still want to learn a little about this Escambia County city, consider pampering yourself with a tour of Pensacola’s landmarks. You and your loved one can ride in comfort in an air-conditioned Ford transit bus straight out of the 1930s. Simply sit back and listen as your guide points out important buildings and tells you story after story about what makes Pensacola a one-of-a-kind place to live.

Other things to do and see

No rundown of tourist hotspots in Pensacola would be complete without a nod to the Blue Wahoos Ballpark. Situated on the picturesque Pensacola Bay, it’s a baseball fan’s delight from late spring through fall. Yet the ballpark isn’t just home to a regional minor league baseball team. It’s also a go-to location for concerts, celebrations, and other events.

For cultural experiences, head to a performance at Ballet Pensacola. The core company of dancers fills each season with inspirational classics and modern interpretations in this fully accessible venue. In the mood for remarkable music? The Pensacola Opera promises extraordinary celebrations of traditional, well-known classics as well as newer tributes to modern composers and songwriters. And don’t overlook the Pensacola Saenger Theatre. You never know if the stage is going to be populated by comedians, traveling Broadway-style plays, or old films.

Of course, you can always finish up any outing in Pensacola with a visit to a restaurant, diner, pub, or tapas bar. No matter what type of cuisine you’re in the mood to try, you can likely find it here. And to capitalize on the scenic atmosphere, be sure to eat at least once at a place situated near the waterfront for good food and great views.