Mainly just looking for advice on how/where to get started researching possible Clearwater FL ALF's for my elderly parents (who both smoke).

most facilities will have a designated smoking area. And oxygen will be prohibited from the designated smoking area. It’s not illegal to smoke in FL ALs or nursing homes. You’ll have to ask the facilities what their smoking policy is because it will vary, each facility sets their own smoking policy.

california is pretty much smoke free but nursing homes here allow smoking. Can’t say I agree with that myself.

No facility will allow smoking. There maybe residents on oxygen. Those with lung problems. Plus, the state may prohibit it.

superredmachine, I see from your profile that your Mom is only a few years older than me, and at her age of 77 she has mobility issues and vision issues. How is your Dad doing?

You may want to look into what is called "Independent Living" apartments which are in senior living facilities. My Dad had a really nice 2 bedroom apartment, large living room and full size kitchen. Cost was $5k per month [prices vary per area] at the time which included weekly housekeeping, weekly linen service, and one meal in the main restaurant styled dining room which had menu service. Dad had an "option" of 3 meals in the dining room.

Plus the facility included "Assisted Living" studio apartments and "Assisted Living/Memory Care" studio apartments, for when that time comes if one needs a higher level of assistance.

The facility is called Sunrise Senior Living, and I checked and the closest one is in Tampa. But anyway, you can look around to see if there are places similar. The place Dad was in was built like a Victorian hotel, and the place was set up like a hotel.

You will need to tour the facilities, and let the Staff recommend what type of living style would work best for your parents. Set the tour around lunch time, as some places will offer you a free lunch to give you an idea about the food served.

If the workers appear to be happy and greet you on your tour, then you know the Staff is comfortable working there.

Oh, smoking was only allowed on a designated porch. Smoking was not allowed in the building at all.

Poor shape? What are their care needs?

How far is the place they want to move to from you?

Brookwood or Discovery are dotted around that area. Smoking is a no, no in most AL's, too much of an insurance risk. There are tons of mobile home parks in that area too, age qualified, and then they can smoke inside or out.