For Clearwater families, memory care comes down to a handful of practical questions — who's licensed nearby, what it costs in 2026, and how fast a spot can open. We answer those here. We currently track 28 licensed assisted living communities serving Clearwater from Florida AHCA records.
What's below: the licensed providers, 2026 Clearwater cost ranges, the local hospital and neighborhood context, what to ask on a tour, and how to act fast if a hospital discharge is looming. Prefer to talk it through? Get matched with a free local advisor — no fees, ever.
What memory care means — and who it's for
Memory care is for someone with Alzheimer's or another dementia who wanders, gets disoriented, or needs a secured, structured environment with dementia-trained staff. Families usually move here when safety at home or in standard assisted living slips.
How Florida regulates it: Florida does not issue a separate "memory care" license. Secured dementia care is delivered inside AHCA-licensed assisted living facilities that carry ECC or LNS authority and meet additional staffing, security, and training rules under Chapter 429, F.S. Confirm the secured-unit staffing ratio and the staff dementia-training hours.
In Clearwater specifically, that means weighing the licensed options against Clearwater's cost range and your family's timeline. The right choice balances care level, budget, location near Morton Plant Hospital (BayCare), and how quickly you need a spot.
Clearwater memory care: by the numbers
28 licensed assisted living communities on file in Clearwater; about 1,702 total licensed beds; averaging 61 beds per community; the largest at 220 beds. Memory care in Florida is delivered inside licensed assisted living facilities that hold a specialty (Limited Nursing or Extended Congregate Care) license and operate secured units — usually the larger communities listed below. These counts come from current Florida AHCA licensing data, not estimates.
Licensed memory care providers in Clearwater
Larger communities (24+ licensed beds), which most often operate secured memory-care units. Source: Florida AHCA / FloridaHealthFinder, current 2026. Always confirm a current license at quality.healthfinder.fl.gov before signing.
| Provider | City | Licensed beds | AHCA license # |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Villa Of Clearwater | Clearwater | 220 beds | 6670 |
| Oaks Of Clearwater, The | Clearwater | 175 beds | 4818 |
| The Grove At Countryside | Clearwater | 131 beds | 13954 |
| Pruittplace- Clearwater, LLC | Clearwater | 130 beds | 10143 |
| Colliers At Clearwater | Clearwater | 119 beds | 9227 |
| Wickshire Countryside | Clearwater | 119 beds | 9748 |
| Aravilla Clearwater | Clearwater | 100 beds | 13583 |
| Elevate Senior Living At Clearwater | Clearwater | 100 beds | 13876 |
| Cottages At Belleair | Clearwater | 98 beds | 9666 |
| The Preserve At Dunedin | Clearwater | 93 beds | 12158 |
| Seasons Largo | Clearwater | 92 beds | 12518 |
| Midway Manor ALF | Clearwater | 50 beds | 8632 |
Senior care in Clearwater, Pinellas County
Clearwater draws snowbirds and year-round retirees to its Gulf beaches and the Countryside area, sustaining one of the highest per-capita concentrations of senior communities in Pinellas. Anchored by Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater pairs beach-town living with a mature network of assisted-living, memory-care, and rehab providers in Countryside and along US-19.
Nearby hospitals: Morton Plant Hospital (BayCare), Clearwater (BayCare urgent/specialty). Proximity to a hospital matters for rehab discharges, dementia emergencies, and ongoing specialist visits — families in Clearwater often shortlist communities a short drive from these.
Areas families ask about: Countryside, Sand Key, Island Estates, Downtown Clearwater, Clearwater Beach.
What memory care costs in Clearwater (2026)
Clearwater pricing runs $5,100–$7,400/month, above the metro average for Tampa Bay — a reflection of local real-estate and the mix of small residential homes versus larger communities.
- Assisted living (standard): $3,700–$5,850/month
- Memory care: $5,100–$7,400/month
- In-home care: $28–$40/hour
In Clearwater, the levers on price are room type (shared saves the most), facility size (small homes run cheaper), an honest care-level assessment, and benefit programs like VA Aid & Attendance and Florida SMMC Medicaid.
How we vet Clearwater providers
- Current Florida AHCA licensure confirmed against the state Health Facility Finder
- Inspection and complaint history checked through AHCA's public records
- Direct conversations with current resident families where possible
- Clear, itemized pricing before any tour — no surprise fees
- Firsthand advisor walkthroughs, not just brochures
Questions to ask on a tour
- How many caregivers are on at night per resident?
- Which conditions can you not care for here?
- What's included in the base rate, and what's billed separately?
- What happens if our parent's needs increase next year?
- How long have your director and head nurse been here?
What's included — and what costs extra
Usually included: a secured residence, all meals, 24/7 dementia-trained staff, structured daily activities, housekeeping, laundry, and behavioral support. Typically extra: higher acuity care, two-person transfers, hospice coordination, and private-duty aide time. Ask any Clearwater provider for an itemized rate sheet so you can compare apples to apples.
How fast you can move in Clearwater
Most Clearwater moves come together in 7–14 days once the health assessment, finances, and a physician's order are in hand; a hospital discharge can compress that to 24–72 hours when a bed is open. A free local advisor can tell you which Clearwater communities have current openings.