Research
Exploring Assisted Living Communities in Florida
This website hopes to help consumers learn about Florida’s Assisted Living Communities, and what services they have to offer. This map of Florida provides an easy to navigate platform for consumers to use. The data comes from the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and includes information about Assisted Living Communities' location, licensing, number of beds, profit/non-profit status, services, activities, and more.
Florida currently has the fastest growing older adult population, with over 21% of
its population aged 65 and older. Long-term care options, specifically Assisted Living
Communities, are a popular residential option for many of Florida’s older adults.
There are currently over 3,000 Assisted Living Communities in Florida, which total
over 106,000 beds. This is in comparison to the 691 nursing homes in Florida that
have about 84,000 beds. In addition to the above, Florida offers a unique opportunity
to explore the diverse aspects of these Assisted Living Communities.
For additional information on the varying aspects of these Assisted Living Facilities in Florida, please read the following briefs:
What You Don’t Know Will Hurt You: The Need for Increased Knowledge of Dementia
By Monica Nelson, University of South Florida, School of Aging Studies and Florida
Policy Exchange Center on Aging
Knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is low in the public at
large and among health care providers, leading to misconceptions concerning the disease
and less-than-ideal treatment. More work is needed to teach and disseminate the most
current and accurate information about dementia.
Why We Must Provide Respite Care
By Joanne Elayoubi, University of South Florida, School of Aging Studies and Florida
Policy Exchange Center on Aging
The challenges of caregiving can be daunting. More support is needed for the the
National Family Caregiving Support Program (NFCSP), which provides grants to states
to help family and informal caregivers care for older adults in their homes.
Expanded Coverage to Increase Physical Activity Among Older Adults
By Rio Tate, University of South Florida, School of Aging Studies and Florida Policy
Exchange Center on Aging
Greater Medicare coverage of programs to encourage older adults to exercise is needed
to improve not only their physical health but the mental and cognitive health.
Reducing Medicare Expenses with Hearing Coverage
By Daniel Pupo, University of South Florida, School of Aging Studies and Florida
Policy Exchange Center on Aging
Hearing health services can be expensive and these costs can discourage older adults
from seeking care. This is a review of the need for Medicare to cover hearing services.
Expanding Medicare Coverage for Depression Screening
By Brittany Veal, University of South Florida, School of Aging Studies and Florida
Policy Exchange Center on Aging
Older adults who are at increased risk for depression could benefit from depression
screening provided by their primary care doctors. Expanded Medicare Part C coverage
could increase the rate of this important service.
Occupational Therapy in Florida's Rural and Urban Assisted Living Communities
By Nhu Nguyen, Hillary Rouse, and Lindsay J. Peterson of the University of South Florida,
School of Aging Studies and Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging
An examination of availability of occupational therapy services in Florida ALCs and
how availability varies by rural or urban location.
Speech Therapy in Florida's Rural and Urban Assisted Living Communities
By Jocelyn Brown, Christian Slater, and Lindsay J. Peterson of the University of South
Florida, School of Aging Studies and Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging
An examination of speech therapy services offered in Florida ALC, based on state regulatory
records, and how service availability varies by rural or urban location.
Physical and Occupational Therapy Availability in Florida's Assisted Living Communities
By Christian Slater, Jocelyn Brown, and Lindsay J. Peterson, University of South Florida,
School of Aging Studies and Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging
An examination of the availability of occupational and physical therapy services in
Florida ALCs, based on state regulatory records, and how availability varies by ALC
operational characteristics.
Pet Therapy in Florida's Assisted Living Communities
By Christian Slater, Jocelyn Brown, and Lindsay J. Peterson, University of South Florida,
School of Aging Studies and Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging
An examination of ALCs in Florida that offer pet therapy, based on state regulatory
documents, and how this varies by key ALC characteristics.
Comparison of Assisted Living Communities With and Without Memory Care in Florida
By Hillary Rouse, Daniel Pupo, Lindsay J. Peterson, and Kathryn Hyer of the University
of South Florida, School of Aging Studies and Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging
A comparison of ALCs that do and do not offer memory care, based on size, profit status,
and location.
Physical Therapy in Florida's Rural and Urban Assisted Living Communities
By Jocelyn Brown, Christian Slater, Hillary Rouse, and Lindsay J. Peterson of the
University of South Florida, School of Aging Studies and Florida Policy Exchange Center
on Aging
An examination of the availability of physical therapy services in Florida ALCs, and
how the services vary between rural and urban locations.
Florida Power Rule: Discrepancies Reported and Actual Compliance
By Hillary Rouse, Joseph June, Christian Slater, Lindsay J. Peterson, and Kathryn Hyer
of the University of South Florida, School of Aging Studies and Florida Policy Exchange
Center on Aging
An examination of ALC compliance with state disaster preparedness requirements concerning
power availability.
Defining Memory Care Services in Florida Assisted Living Communities
By Chloe Burns, Hillary Rouse, and Kathryn Hyer of the University of South Florida,
School of Aging Studies and Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging
A comparison of the services and activities offered by ALCs that also offer memory
care and those provided by non-memory care ALCs.
Lack of Preparation for Demographic Shifts in Rural Florida
By Joseph Ayala, Hillary Rouse, Lindsay J. Peterson, and Kathryn Hyer of the University
of South Florida, School of Aging Studies and Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging
An examination of the availability of ALC care in rural counties in Florida and whether
these counties are prepared for the growth of the 65+ and 85+ populations.
Limited Access to Memory Care Services in Assisted Living Communities in Rural Florida
By Hillary Rouse, Joseph Ayala, and Kathryn Hyer of the University of South Florida,
School of Aging Studies and Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging
An examination of the availability of ALCs with memory care services in Florida, especially
in rural counties.
The Above Average Burden of Hearing Loss for Rural Counties in Florida
By Daniel Pupo, Hillary Rouse, Lindsay J. Peterson, Michelle Arnold, and Kathryn
Hyer of the University of South Florida, School of Aging Studies and Florida Policy
Exchange Center on Aging
An examination of the burden of hearing loss within rural counties in Florida.
Limited Access to Audiology Services in Florida Assisted Living Communities
By Daniel Pupo, Moriah Jones, Hillary Rouse, and Kathryn Hyer of the University of
South Florida, School of Aging Studies and Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging
An examination of the access older adults have to audiology services across Florida,
focusing on these services near ALCs.
Rural and Urban Assisted Living Communities in Florida
By Jocelyn Brown, Joseph Ayala, Hillary Rouse, Lindsay J. Peterson, and Kathryn Hyer
of the University of South Florida, School of Aging Studies and Florida Policy Exchange
Center on Aging
A comparison of rural and urban ALCs on the different license types and the number
of beds and profit status