Florida
Nursing Homes & Assisted Living in Gainesville, FL
Gainesville has 18 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Browse honest ratings, staffing levels, and inspection history for every facility — transparent data from official government sources, free for families.
18 homes near you · sorted by overall rating
Gainesville is home to 19 senior care facilities across Alachua County, including 10 Medicare-certified nursing homes and 9 assisted living facilities, serving UF Health patients and residents throughout North Central Florida. The city's standout asset is Oak Hammock at the University of Florida - a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) offering both skilled nursing and assisted living on one campus.
19
Total facilities
10
Nursing homes
9
Assisted living
2,025
Total beds
4
5-star nursing homes
Nursing home quality
Gainesville has four 5-star nursing homes: Plaza Health and Rehab (180 beds, largest in the city), Terrace Healthcare & Rehab (138 beds), Parklands Care Center and Rehab (120 beds), and Oak Hammock at UF (73 beds, non-profit, university-affiliated). Several Gainesville nursing homes partner with UF Health Shands for post-acute rehabilitation, including Plaza Health and Terrace Healthcare.
Memory care in Gainesville
Six of Gainesville's nine assisted living facilities offer dedicated memory care - one of the highest concentrations in North Florida. Options range from small residential communities to large campus-style facilities.
About senior care in Gainesville
Gainesville is a university city anchored by the University of Florida and UF Health Shands Hospital. Several nursing homes in the area serve as post-acute rehabilitation destinations for UF Health patients. Oak Hammock at the University of Florida is a nationally recognized non-profit CCRC with both skilled nursing and assisted living on a single campus adjacent to the university.
Veterans & VA benefits
Gainesville hosts a major VA outpatient clinic serving veterans in Alachua and surrounding counties. Some local facilities have experience working with VA benefit programs. See our guide to VA benefits for Florida seniors for details on coverage and eligibility.
About ratings in Gainesville
Gainesville's nursing home quality varies significantly. While four facilities hold 5-star ratings, three are rated 2 stars - Park Meadows Healthcare & Rehab, Aviata at North Florida, and Gainesville Convalescent Center. We publish full AHCA inspection records and CMS penalty history for every facility.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best nursing home in Gainesville, FL?
Gainesville has four 5-star CMS-rated nursing homes: Plaza Health and Rehab (180 beds), Terrace Healthcare & Rehab (138 beds), Parklands Care Center and Rehab (120 beds), and Oak Hammock at the University of Florida (73 beds, non-profit CCRC). Oak Hammock is unique as a university-affiliated community offering a full continuum of care on one campus.
Is there memory care assisted living in Gainesville, FL?
Yes - six of Gainesville's nine assisted living facilities offer dedicated memory care programs. The largest options are The Village at Gainesville (140 beds), Windsor of Gainesville (115 beds, also offering OT, PT, speech therapy, and pet therapy), and The Glenwood of Gainesville (110 beds). Oak Hammock at UF also offers memory care within its assisted living component.
What nursing homes accept Medicare near the University of Florida?
All Medicare-certified skilled nursing facilities in Gainesville accept Medicare for qualifying post-acute stays (typically following a 3-night hospital admission). The facilities closest to UF Health Shands that hold 5-star ratings are Plaza Health and Rehab and Terrace Healthcare & Rehab, both under two miles from the medical center.
Cost of care
What senior care costs in Gainesville, FL
| Care type | Gainesville (avg/mo) | vs. FL average |
|---|---|---|
| Assisted living | $8,055 | +47% |
| Memory care | $10,472 | +54% |
| Nursing home (shared room) | $10,500 | +6% |
| Nursing home (private room) | $12,000 | +5% |
| In-home care | $4,200 | -5% |
Gainesville is in the North Central Florida region, priced above the Florida state average for most care types. Figures are average monthly costs; actual pricing varies by facility, room type, and level of care needed. See the full Florida pricing guide for more cities.
Paying for care
How families pay for senior care in Florida
Medicare
Medicare does not cover assisted living. It covers skilled nursing facility care only after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three days, and only for a limited time. Room, board, and custodial care in an assisted living facility are private pay.
Medicaid
Florida Medicaid does not pay directly for standard assisted living, but the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Long-Term Care program and the Optional State Supplement (OSS) provide funding assistance for eligible low-income seniors in participating assisted living facilities. Nursing home care is covered under traditional Medicaid for those who meet financial and medical eligibility.
VA benefits
Through the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, qualifying veterans and surviving spouses can receive up to $2,424 per month (2026 rates) toward assisted living costs, usable at any AHCA-licensed assisted living facility in Florida — not just VA-affiliated communities.
Read the full Florida assisted living cost guide or VA benefits guide for details and eligibility rules.
Top-rated nursing homes
Top-rated nursing homes in Gainesville, FL
- 5
OAK HAMMOCK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA INC holds a 5-star CMS overall rating with 73 licensed beds — the highest overall rating CMS assigns among Florida nursing homes.
- 5
PLAZA HEALTH AND REHAB holds a 5-star CMS overall rating with 180 licensed beds — the highest overall rating CMS assigns among Florida nursing homes.
- 5
TERRACE HEALTHCARE & REHABILITATION CENTER holds a 5-star CMS overall rating with 138 licensed beds — the highest overall rating CMS assigns among Florida nursing homes.
- 4
PALM GARDEN OF GAINESVILLE holds a 4-star CMS overall rating with 150 licensed beds — an above-average rating among Florida nursing homes.
- 4
PARKLANDS CARE CENTER AND REHAB holds a 4-star CMS overall rating with 120 licensed beds — an above-average rating among Florida nursing homes.
Use the circle in each card to add facilities to your list. Once you have two or more, you can compare them side by side or submit a single contact request to all of them at once. Click a card's name to view its full detail page.
Free placement help
Not sure where to start?
A local placement specialist can walk you through your options in Gainesville — at no cost to your family.