What Is a Senior Living Transition and Why Does the Home Sale Matter?
A senior living transition happens when an aging adult moves from their private home into an assisted living community, memory care facility, continuing care retirement community (CCRC), or skilled nursing facility. For the majority of, families in Palm Beach County and Broward County, the family home is the single largest financial asset involved in funding that transition.
Understanding what the home sale process looks like, how long it takes, what it costs, and what options families have can be the difference between a smooth transition and a financially stressful one.
This article covers the real data behind senior transitions in South Florida, answers the questions families most commonly ask, and explains what a senior transition real estate specialist does to help.
How Big Is the Senior Population in Palm Beach County and Broward County?
South Florida is experiencing one of the largest demographic shifts in its history. According to the South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, whose joint conference "Preparing for the Silver Tsunami" was held at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton in November 2024, residents aged 65 and older across the seven-county Southeast Florida region are projected to number more than 2.13 million by 2050, an increase of 54.5% since 2021.
The growth of the oldest seniors is even more dramatic. The 85-plus population in the region is projected to reach 520,000 by 2050, representing an increase of 133.6% from 2025 to 2050. SFRPC
At the county level, the numbers are striking:
Approximately 24% of Palm Beach County adults are seniors, based on U.S. Census ACS data, representing one of the highest concentrations of seniors of any large county in Florida. The county's median age is 45.2, meaningfully higher than Florida's statewide median of 42.7. Census Reporter The 85-plus population in Palm Beach County is expected to grow from 66,000 to 146,000, an increase of 121 percent. Yahoo!
In Broward County there are approximately 354,411 seniors in Broward County, with a median age of 41.3 years. World Population Review In Broward County, the 85-plus figure will rise from 52,000 to 140,000, an increase of 169 percent. Yahoo!
These are not projections for a distant future. The wave is building right now in communities like Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and Palm Beach.
How Much Does Assisted Living and Memory Care Cost in South Florida?
This is the question families ask most. The honest answer is that costs vary significantly depending on location, level of care, and the type of community. Below is a list of the various forms of care and their costs.
According to the 2024 Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey, the annual median cost of assisted living in Florida is $63,885, or approximately $5,324 per month depending on location, amenities, and level of care needed. That number ranks Florida 35th among all 50 states and below the national median of $5,900 per month. Senior Living But closer to home, Broward County averaged $5,570 in 2025 and Palm Beach County is averaging $4,582.
Memory care is meant for residents with Alzheimer's or dementia and can be located at the same facilities as assisted living. The cost is usually 20% to 30% more than standard assisted living. These communities charge an additional $575 to $2,015 per month for Alzheimer's and memory care, because of the higher level of supervision and security. Paying for Senior Care
These are significant costs and especially difficult since the median income for American adults 65 and older is $50,290, while their average annual expenses are $57,818, and the average monthly Social Security benefit for retired workers in 2024 is $1,907. Yahoo!
The math doesn’t work and creates an income gap between the cost and a fixed income. The family home is almost always the financial bridge that makes senior living possible.
Do Most Seniors in South Florida Own Their Homes?
Yes. Approximately 80% of seniors aged 65 and older own their homes, the highest homeownership rate of any age group. Doorloop Florida's overall homeownership rate in 2024 was 68.4%, higher than the national average. USAFacts
That means the vast majority of families navigating a senior living transition in Palm Beach County or Broward County are also managing the sale of a home and the home is not a side issue. It is the financial foundation of the entire transition plan.
According to Federal Reserve data, baby boomers hold 50% of the nation's home equity, amounting to $17.3 trillion as of the second quarter of 2024. Florida Realtors Much of that equity sits in South Florida homes in communities like Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and West Palm Beach.
What Happens When Families Delay the Home Sale?
Delay is the most common and most costly mistake families make during a senior living transition.
After a loved one moves into an assisted living or memory care community, many families wait weeks or months before addressing the home. The reasons are understandable: grief, logistics, family disagreements, and not knowing where to start. But the financial cost of waiting is real and measurable.
Every week a home sits vacant, the family continues paying property taxes, homeowner's insurance, utilities, and maintenance. Many families are simultaneously paying senior care costs averaging $4,582 to $5,570 per month in our market. That dual financial burden adds up quickly and can erode the equity families were counting on to sustain long-term care.
Additionally, vacant homes in South Florida deteriorate faster than occupied ones. Deferred maintenance, humidity, pest issues, and security concerns can reduce a home's value and create complications at closing.
The families who move quickly and strategically preserve the most financial flexibility throughout the care journey.
What Options Do Families Have When Selling a Home During a Senior Transition?
These are the questions families most frequently ask a senior transition real estate specialist:
Many wonder if renovations should be made prior to sale but that is not usually the case. Most homes, including senior-homes, in Palm Beach County and Broward County sell well as-is or with targeted cosmetic improvements. A pre-listing walkthrough identifies which improvements actually move the needle on price versus which ones are unnecessary spending. Homeowners who are considering a smaller home can also read my complete guide to downsizing in Boca Raton.
Another big question that comes up is about the contents of the home. The home is full of a lifetime of memories and a well-lived life. Fortunately, there are options. Senior move managers and estate sale companies specialize in clearing homes with care, speed, and sensitivity. A full estate sale can be organized and executed before a listing goes live, so the home is show-ready without the family carrying the burden of sorting decades of belongings alone.
The timing of the home sale is another question I hear often because some believe you must sell prior to move-in to the assisted living community. However, the truth is that selling the home after the loved one is in their new home is the most common scenario. A senior transition specialist manages the entire process remotely if needed so the family can remain focused on their loved one.
If funds are needed before the home can be sold a bridge loan provides short-term financing to cover care costs while the home is being prepared and sold. It allows a loved one to move into a community immediately rather than waiting for the home to close. For families where the care decision has been made but the home is not yet ready to sell, a bridge loan can remove the financial stall that delays the transition.
In some cases, there may be estate planning questions that need to be answered. Trust sales, estate sales, and power of attorney transactions require coordination with elder law attorneys and title companies experienced in these structures. A senior transition real estate specialist works directly with those professionals to ensure the sale is handled correctly regardless of the legal framework.
Market conditions vary, but well-prepared homes in our market typically sell within 30 to 60 days of listing. The pre-listing preparation phase, including estate sales, repairs, and cleaning, can be completed in two to four weeks with the right team in place.
What Is a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®)?
The Senior Real Estate Specialist designation, known as SRES®, is awarded by the National Association of REALTORS® to agents who have completed specialized training in the unique real estate, financial, and emotional needs of clients aged 50 and older.
An SRES® agent understands:
- The types of housing available for the 50+ market
- The key life stages, viewpoints, and transitions that impact housing choices
- How homes can be adapted for safety and aging in place
- Trust sales, estate sales, and transactions involving power of attorney
- How retirement finances affect real estate decisions
- How to coordinate with elder law attorneys, geriatric care managers, and financial advisors
Working with an SRES®-designated agent is not the same as working with a general real estate agent who occasionally handles senior clients. The designation represents a formal commitment to understanding this specific population and the complexity of their situations.
How Can We Help Families in Palm Beach and Broward County?
We specialize in helping families sell a loved one's home during the transition to assisted living, memory care, or another senior living community in Palm Beach County and Broward County, Florida.
We serve families throughout Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, and the surrounding communities.
Our process includes:
- A free home valuation and net proceeds estimate specific to senior transition properties
- A pre-listing walkthrough identifying only the improvements worth making
- Coordination with estate sale companies, senior move managers, and cleaning professionals
- Referrals to vetted elder law attorneys, VA benefits specialists, bridge loan lenders, and geriatric care managers
- Experienced handling of trust sales, estate sales, and POA transactions
- Regular communication with families and their senior living community contacts throughout the process
There is no cost for a consultation. There is no pressure and no obligation. We move at the pace your family needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Home Transitions in South Florida
How much does it cost to hire a senior transition real estate specialist in Palm Beach County?
The consultation is always free. The real estate sales compensation is handled the same as in any home sale transaction. There is no additional cost to working with an SRES®-designated specialist.
What cities in South Florida do we serve?
We serve Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Greenacres, Wellington, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point, and all surrounding communities in Palm Beach County and Broward County.
What is the average cost of assisted living in Boca Raton?
Boca Raton falls within the Palm Beach County market where assisted living averages approximately $4,582 per month according to A Place for Mom's 2024 data, though specific communities may range higher depending on level of care and amenities.
What is a senior living transition?
A senior living transition is the process of moving an aging adult from their private residence into an assisted living community, memory care facility, continuing care retirement community, or skilled nursing facility, and managing all of the financial, logistical, and emotional components of that move.
How do I sell my parents' home if they have already moved into memory care?
This is one of the most common scenarios we handle. If your parent has already moved into a memory care community in Palm Beach County or Broward County, we begin with a free valuation, help coordinate the estate sale, and manage the sale from listing to closing. If a trust or power of attorney is involved, we work directly with your elder law attorney to ensure the transaction is handled correctly.
Ready to Talk?
If your family is navigating a senior living transition in Palm Beach County or Broward County, I can help you understand your home's value, determine what preparation is actually necessary, and create a practical plan for selling the property without adding more stress to the transition.
Not sure whether selling now is the right decision? Start with a confidential, no-obligation conversation about your situation and what your options may be.
Stacy Bradford, REALTOR® | SRES® Signature International Real Estate 561-542-0367 sbradford@signatureflorida.com
Serving Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, and all of South Florida
