Sarasota Senior AdvisorIs memory care licensed separately in Florida?
Not yet in practice, but soon: s. 429.076, created in 2026, requires a memory care services license once AHCA adopts its rules, which are due by June 1, 2027.
Until then, ALFs that advertise special Alzheimer's care must meet s. 429.178.
Do memory care units in Florida have to be locked?
Florida law requires a physical environment that provides for residents' safety and welfare, but does not require every memory care area to be locked; secured doors, alarms and monitoring systems are the usual tools.
Ask how exits are secured and how often staff check residents at night.
How many staff must be awake in a Florida memory care unit?
Under s. 429.178, a facility with 17 or more residents that advertises Alzheimer's care must have at least one awake staff member on duty at all hours, and the new memory care rules must also require at least one awake staff member at all hours.
That is a building floor, not a ratio; ask about the memory care wing specifically.
What training do Florida memory care staff need?
Staff in facilities that advertise special Alzheimer's care must complete the dementia training and continuing education required by s. 430.5025, Florida Statutes, and the new license rules must meet or exceed it.
Ask for the share of current caregivers who have completed it.
Can a facility say 'memory care' without a license?
Once AHCA's rules take effect, no: terms such as memory care, dementia care and Alzheimer's care will be reserved for licensed facilities, though unlicensed facilities may still describe optional supportive services.
Facilities must keep copies of their advertisements for AHCA's review.
How do I find memory care in Sarasota and Manatee?
Start with the ALFs whose AHCA profile lists a memory care program, then check each one's inspection history and ask about its plans for the new license.
Our memory care roster lists them with beds and citations.
Can a person with dementia live in a standard ALF in Florida?
Yes, as long as he or she meets the facility's admission and continued-residency criteria, including not being a danger to self or others; many people with mild dementia live in standard assisted living.
Facilities that advertise Alzheimer's care must meet s. 429.178.
What does AHCA's 'memory care' program flag mean?
It is program information the facility reports on its AHCA profile, not a license or an inspection finding; once the new memory care services license exists, the license itself will show on the profile.
Our roster uses the flag as a starting list and says so.
Are memory care residents' contracts different?
Under s. 429.076, memory care licensees' contracts must specify the memory care services to be provided, in addition to the general ALF contract requirements of s. 429.24.
Ask to see that section of the contract.
