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Pensacola’s balmy weather and beachside living make it a natural choice for seniors looking for an assisted living facility. Assisted living gives seniors the chance to relax without the daily hassles of chores or meal preparation and with caregivers who provide help with daily activities like bathing and toileting.
This guide lists the best assisted living facilities in Pensacola based on our in-house data and recent reviews from residents and families. You can peruse photos and detailed information, as well as reviews. This guide also has payment tips, local laws and regulations, and more about assisted living in Pensacola.
Types of care available in Pensacola, FL
Assisted Living
The food is good. Should be more flexible with supper times. The activities are great. Just need more of them. The facility is nice. The apartment is perfect. The staff is mostly great. Takes a good person to work there. It has been a primarily good experience.
I'd say that families need to know that the base rent charged is not the only monthly expense. Depending on the number of care points assessed, this additional cost can be an unpleasant surprise and isn't talked about much. As far as The Beacon at Gulf Breeze is concerned, it is a good facility with caring staff throughout the organization and I would recommend it to others.
They do have social activities but I think that it would be great if they did an orientation for the new residents to get used to the community and have someone that they can speak to if they have some issues. It would be nice to meet monthly and check in with residents for any new things, issues or good things that you want to share. The administrative staff work very hard and are very pleasant to work with. We get information in pieces and it would be nice if more communication was there.
5918 N Davis Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32503
I have been very happy with all the above when it come to The Waterford at Carpenter's Creek. Based on our experience, we would absolutely recommend this community to other families who may need a place for...
The Waterford at Carpenter's Creek offers Assisted Living services in the picturesque Panhandle city of Pensacola. Our senior living community has been serving residents and families in the area for almost 30 years. We offer a warm, friendly, supportive environment for residents and we're staffed...
3450 Wimbledon Drive, Pensacola, FL 32504
We needed a home for my FIL that he would be comfortable in and have lots of activities. He had no desire to do activities but now that he’s been there a few months, we can never find him because he’s...
4410 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
The location was great and very close to my house. This facility came recommended by a friend. It was just what she needed at the time.
The Beacon at Gulf Breeze is a superior Retirement, Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, providing our residents access to programs that promote well-being, security, longevity, family and self-worth. Our community has 70 apartments for individuals seeking an active, but simpler lifestyle....
9015 University Pkwy, Pensacola, FL 32514
The Waterford at Creekside review is an excellent facility. They have been kind and caring towards my mother. They have been upgrading the facilities over the last few months.
Find the comfort and care you deserve at The Waterford at Creekside. The senior living community in Pensacola, FL provides residents with a positive, nurturing environment that encourages health and happiness while promoting companionship among residents and staff. Our goal is to enrich the lives...
2310 Abbie Ln, Pensacola, FL 32514
We have only complaint. My sister has bought our mother at least 12 new outfits, her name is on everything. They seem to disappear on a regularly. Example, yesterday my sister picked mom up . She had on...
We are continuing to admit new Residents, where possible and appropriate, to help residents and families in need. We will do all we can to help those who are in need of our services now and always.We are now offering Virtual Tours of our communities via Skype, Zoom and Google Duo. If you’re...
150 Crossville St, Cantonment, FL 32533
The staff is very friendly, caring and understanding. The facility is very clean with no odor and the meals are very good. I recommend Sodalis Cantonment to anyone that is looking for a loving facility to...
A Lifestyle Community Engaged living, a tranquil setting, and compassionate care are the hallmarks of Sodalis Cantonment, a community that encourages an active lifestyle and daily activities for residents, both on campus and throughout the Pensacola area. With our "residents first" philosophy,...
8601 N Davis Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32514
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Mom came from another state and she's doing very well. The staff is fabulous. They know each individual resident and their individual needs. I appreciate them more each time I visit. It's comforting to know...
YourLife of Pensacola is devoted to residents with impaired memory, offering a unique holistic program designed to celebrate life with residents, while maintaining their safety and comfort.YourLife of Pensacola is secured for resident safety yet still offers beautifully designed private garden...
108 Louisiana Dr., Pensacola, FL 32505
Our experience with FLorida Memory Lane has been very pleasant. [name removed] treated my mother with great respect and one of the family, The facility was always neat and clean. My mothers room never...
FL MEMORY LANE ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY “OUR SMALL NUMBER OF RESIDENTS MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES WORKING TO ENHANCE EVERY RESIDENT’s QUALITY OF LIFE”WE OFFER A WARM, SUPPORTIVE,AND NURTURING ATMOSPHERE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO REQUIRE ASSISTANCE WITH...
8700 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514
I absolutely love the employees and their interactions with the residents. I would highly recommend Brookdale Pensacola. Once the food situation is solved, they should have a 10 in every category.
Your Next Great AdventureJust a short drive from local amenities like West Florida Hospital and the always pleasant gulf of Mexico, you will find a warm and cheerful assisted living community full of men and women who inspire you to pursue your golden years with enthusiasm. From the moment you...
7830 Pine Forest Rd, Pensacola, FL 32526
My dad has been a resident here for over a year. I'm so thankful that he's going to be able to age in place and not have to move to another facility as his dementia progresses. He's happy, and that's what...
50 Joachim Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
Beautiful clean apartments and common areas. Good food with an extensive option menu. Friendly and helpful staff, variety of activities.
The Arbors of Gulf Breeze offers the finest senior living experience for those needing independent living, assisted living or memory care services. Come see how our caring team can provide a wonderful home environment for you or your loved one
428 Airport Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32503
The Blake at Pensacola is a very clean, light and bright community. It was a decent space for our loved one and he has a nice private room. From what we saw the meals looked to be really good but they just...
Welcome to The BlakeThe food. The music. The architecture, family and traditions. Once you’ve enjoyed the Blake way of life, it’s hard to imagine settling for anything less.Located only minutes from Historic Downtown Pensacola and some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, The Blake at Pensacola...
5100 Northpointe Pkwy, Pensacola, FL 32514
Northpointe and Westpointe Retirement Community provides its residents with the peace of mind knowing that their rent will not increase. They will enjoy the respect and dignity of being cared for by our long-time employees. Four of our employees have been working for us for over 20 years, and 15...
1706 E Olive Rd, Pensacola, FL 32514
If you need a place for mom, dad, uncle Joe or aunt Mabel this is the place, so much to do, the food is good, free cable and internet, and so very much more, I would not be anywhere but here Come check it...
Renowned for our convenient location, excellence in food, first-class staff, affordability and signature activities; Grandview Retirement Center is Pensacola’s most recommended senior community.We offer your loved one an opportunity to enjoy living a comfortable daily routine by providing an...
4916 Mobile Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32506
I have my aunt here. The reputation used to be bad here but it has changed with the new management. I want everyone to know that this place is much better than the past.
Noble Senior Living at Pensacola is an assisted living and memory care community centrally located in Pensacola, Florida. Our community has beautiful courtyards that give it the feel of country living in a convenient, urban setting. Our community is set on Mobile Highway close to three area...
101 Mcabee Ct, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
I would recommend the Watermark. It is a good size, you could tell that the staff knew all the residents by name. The outdoor space is okay. It is a very clean place. We really liked the community and maybe...
5041 North 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32504
5041 North 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32504
111 EAST WRIGHT STREET, Pensacola, FL 32501
111 EAST WRIGHT STREET, Pensacola, FL 32501
7901 Kipling St, Pensacola, FL 32514
10075 Hillview Road, Pensacola, FL 32514
Our covenant is to improve the quality of every life we touch by providing comprehensive support, personalized care, and honoring the wishes of our patients and families.Vision:To deliver world-class service and innovative solutions for the nation’s most vulnerable populations, while preserving...
1030 Jojo Rd, Pensacola, FL 32514
10100 Hillview Dr, Pensacola, FL 32514
1012 N 72nd Ave, Pensacola, FL 32506
According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, the average total monthly cost to live in one of our partner Pensacola assisted living facilities is $4,245.[02] This figure includes all room, board, personal assistance, and other amenities and add-ons to reflect the total price of living in one of our partner Pensacola assisted living facilities.
The following baseline costs show you the cost of assisted living in the Pensacola area but don’t include fees or add-on amenities and services.
Assisted living costs around $4,000 a month on average in Pensacola, according to A Place for Mom’s in-house data.[01] Typically a community will have a baseline fee for rent, meals, weekly housekeeping, and some personal care.
Other things, like fitness classes, transportation services, or personal care services that go above and beyond the community’s basic services may be charged as additional fees each month.
The $4,000 average monthly amount families paid for assisted living in Pensacola reflects the actual amount paid by families, including all additional fees, in the last 12 months.
Pensacola is one of the most cost-effective places to live in Florida. The cost of living is about 11% lower than the rest of the state.[02]
Florida doesn’t tax income, including income from Social Security or pensions, making it an appealing place for seniors with fixed incomes. Florida also doesn’t have an estate or inheritance tax.
The following baseline costs show the price of assisted living in the Pensacola area, but do not include fees or add-on amenities and services.
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How seniors and their families pay for assisted living depends on their financial situation. Most use a mix of personal savings and public assistance.
Many seniors have spent their lives building up nest eggs in their retirement accounts, cash savings, and equity in a home or other investments. Seniors can use any of these to help pay for assisted living in Pensacola, but they’re not the only methods. Read the articles below to learn other strategies to use private funds for your assisted living expenses.
Assisted living facilities in Pensacola must be licensed and regulated by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration’s Bureau of Health Facility Regulation. Facilities can be licensed as either standard or specialty, depending upon the services they offer to their residents.
According to federal and state regulations, all assisted living facilities must meet these standards:
The Bureau performs routine annual inspections, and you can find all inspection results on the facility finder site. The AHCA also provides a full list of any facilities that have been noted as deficient in some areas. After you, or your relative, move to an assisted living community, you can always make a report online to share any concerns or observations with the AHCA.
The most important thing to remember is that all licensed assisted living facilities must meet or exceed set standards. From staff training and nutritional programming to compliance with Escambia County zoning requirements, each facility is mandated to take residents’ care, comfort, and concerns seriously.
Florida Department of Health contact information
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: 850-245-4444
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Assisted living facilities in Pensacola don’t have to follow specific COVID-19 guidelines. Nevertheless, the facilities and their residents do follow CDC guidelines to slow the spread of infectious diseases.
Florida makes it easy for anyone healthy enough to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine to register for it online. If you’re homebound and unable to leave an assisted living facility to travel to get your COVID-19 vaccine or booster, contact HomeboundVaccine@em.myflorida.com, a program that will come to people’s homes to give COVID-19 shots.
Vaccinations. Florida offers free COVID-19 vaccines to any state resident, but no one is required to receive a vaccine.
Masking. Masks are not a requirement in Pensacola.
Facility cleanliness. Pensacola assisted living facilities have to maintain sanitary conditions to meet state requirements.
Pensacola is the most Northwestern city in the Florida Panhandle, located right on the Gulf of Mexico. Residents enjoy temperate weather year round and withstand some exposure to hurricanes.
The majority of our partner assisted living facilities in Pensacola aren’t stand-alone, traditional assisted living facilities. Instead, they’re combined communities that include other types of living arrangements. For instance, an assisted living facility in Pensacola may be connected with a memory care unit or an independent living community.
Assisted living facilities in Pensacola offer personal care services, like help with grooming, bathing, eating, and mobility. Many assisted living facilities have memory care units, which offer health care services for residents with dementia. However, you and your loved one do have options. If you specifically want skilled nursing or memory care in one building, consider one of Pensacola’s excellent nursing homes or memory care facilities.
Each assisted living facility in Pensacola will offer slightly different living arrangements. In general, you can expect to find studio or one-bedroom apartments. In Pensacola, these are often private, but shared rooms are sometimes available for a lower price.
Rooms typically include a bedroom, a bathroom, and a kitchenette. All have extra-wide doorways and safety features like handrails and emergency call buttons. You can expect a staff member to be awake on the premises at any time, day or night.
Besides the care services and daily help, residents enjoy a robust social life in assisted living facilities. In Pensacola, activities tend to center around devotional activities, beach-going, and game nights. As of 2024, all of our partner communities employ an activity director who takes resident interests into account when designing activity schedules.
Even if you have a kitchenette, you may want to taste some on-site meals prepared at your assisted living community. Since assisted living facilities offer residents at least three meals per day, they tend to rotate their menu with plenty of tempting choices. You can indulge in tasty dishes in multiple ways, such as ordering room service or eating in the dining room.
The majority of assisted living facilities we partner with are happy to design meals around residents’ preferred dietary needs. For example, you can ask for low-sodium, vegetarian, or vegan meals. Ultimately, the goal is for you or your relatives to be able to leave every breakfast, lunch, and dinner feeling satisfied.
Pensacola has a small-town feel compared to other Floridian cities like Tampa, Orlando, or Miami. Unlike other small beach-front towns, however, Pensacola is much more cost-effective, especially for senior living.
Compared to Sarasota, which has about the same population and is also near excellent beaches, assisted living in Pensacola is about $500 less a month. You’re also less likely to experience large crowds of spring breakers and snowbirds in Pensacola. The closest mid-sized city to Pensacola is Mobile, Alabama.
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Approximate number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Pensacola[04]
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Pensacola population
Median annual income for Pensacola seniors 65 and older[05]
Baptist Hospital has a long-standing reputation for being one of the best nonprofit health care options in Pensacola. Baptist Hospital offers a full range of inpatient and outpatient care, including primary care services, geriatrics, and cardiovascular surgery. In 2023, it opened with extensive renovations.
Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola Hospital
Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola Hospital offers more than 550 beds and is a world-class facility. If you’re looking for cancer treatment, need cardiovascular care, or require diabetes treatment, consider making an appointment.
HCA Florida West Hospital offers primary and specialty care and also includes an emergency room. It provides care across the spectrum, from birth to death. It also has an in-house rehabilitation center for patients after a procedure or severe illness. It’s received multiple awards and first-in-the-region accreditations for various specialties.
Most residents get around the city or head to the waterfront by using their private vehicles, taking advantage of public transportation, or hiring rideshare companies. Since most of the assisted living facilities in Pensacola offer free or low-cost transportation, you or your loved one may be able to get automatic rides to the beach, shops, and interesting landmarks. In fact, transportation is free at 89% of our partner facilities, and 78% provide certain rides at cost.
Do you prefer to take advantage of public transportation whenever possible? The Escambia County Area Transit system offers the ECAT bus line. This line covers Pensacola and operates seven days a week, although not all buses run on the weekends. You’ll find that all ECAT buses are accessible. They also have bike racks. But if regular ECAT buses aren’t comfortable based on your needs, you may want to try the curb-to-curb ECAT ADA option available to those with disabilities living in the area.
Do you need to get to a medical appointment? Your physician may be able to give you a voucher so you can use the ECMS Foundation’s Go Seniors! Transportation Program. It’s meant only for health care visits and costs $20. You may also be able to get a ride through the free ECCT Paratransit Services program. Just be advised that you’ll need to call a day in advance to use ECCT services, and transportation availability isn’t guaranteed.
Freedom To Go is an additional private transportation service that seniors can use to get around Pensacola. Their drivers will escort you to doctor appointments, the grocery store, or even brunch with friends Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Prices often change due to gas price fluctuations.
There are some parts of Pensacola that are walkable. However, Pensacola only gets 36 out of 100 for its walkability score. The rating is based on Walk Score, which measures how walkable cities are in comparison with each other.
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Because of its smaller-town feel and warm, clear northern shores on the Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola is an excellent place for seniors looking for their new home. Pensacola is set to become a retirement magnet because it’s also more cost-effective than other coastal cities.
It’s not surprising that you’ll find many of Pensacola’s top things to do have outdoor components. After all, the area offers a temperate climate year round. When it gets humid and hot, you can move your festivities and excursions indoors to explore the area’s museums, shops, and restaurants.
If the idea of being close to countless white, sandy beaches appeals to you, Pensacola is your town. Some of the most popular public surfside spots are Langdon Beach, Dog Beach, Park West, Quietwater Beach, Opal Beach, and Casino Beach. However, you’ll want to make sure that you start your beach excursions at Pensacola Beach.
Pensacola Beach boasts a 1,500-foot pier. From dawn until dusk, you’ll find people fishing, strolling, and taking pictures of the scenic view. Pensacola Beach has about five Mobi-mats to make the area wheelchair accessible.
As long as you have transportation, you might want to set aside a day to head to the Gulf Island National Seashore. Both Perdido Key Beach and Johnson Beach attract visitors year round. However, only the latter has an on-duty lifeguard.
One of the most well-known museums is the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. Situated on the Naval Air Station, the museum features exhibits about the Maritime traditions of the area. The first floor is wheelchair accessible.
Another nod to military members and operations is The National Naval Aviation Museum. With its free general admission, it’s always a big draw. Plus, you may be able to see the famous Blue Angels practice while you’re there.
The Historic Pensacola Village is designed to give you a taste of the bygone lifestyles of the people who built the region. Those ages 65 and older get discounted ticket rates.
For those new to Pensacola, taking a Pensacola Bay City Ferry ride can be an excellent way to get a fast overview of the city. Throughout the year, you can get on a regular or themed ferry cruise.
After cruising, you might want to do a little “landlubbing” touring courtesy of Go Retro. This tour involves being driven on an updated 1930s Ford transit bus throughout Pensacola. An expert tour guide will be sure you don’t miss any of the notable statues, buildings, or stories that make the city a one-of-a-kind site to live and visit.
Not surprisingly, Pensacola — with its large retirement population — is a great place to maintain your physical fitness level. Golfing is one pleasure that many seniors rarely pass up, especially because there’s an abundance of well-maintained greens across the city.
Those interested in pickleball can either bring a partner to play at one of the area parks or racket sports facilities. If you’re interested in finding a pickleball tournament or partner, head to the Pensacola Panhandle Pickleball Facebook group. Alternatively, you may want to become a member of the Bear Levin Studer Family YMCA. When you do, you’ll have access not just to pickleball courts but also to the YMCA’s other amenities, like cardio classes and aquatics programming.
After fueling your inner athlete, you can always support others at the Blue Wahoos Ballpark along Pensacola Bay. During baseball season, the park is home to the area’s minor-league baseball team.
Gardens of Daphne, The Waterford at Carpenter's Creek and The Opal at Bluewater Bay are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Pensacola, FL. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Pensacola is 3,881 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
RentCafe. (2023). Cost of Living in Pensacola, FL.
United States Census Bureau. (2022). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2022). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2022). Median Income in the Past 12 Months (S1903). [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Pensacola.
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