How We Score
Two scores, two purposes. The Regulatory Score summarizes a facility's AHCA inspection record. The Serviceability Score summarizes the services, amenities, and specialty capabilities listed for that facility. Here is exactly how each is calculated.
Source of Truth
Our rankings and scores re-package and organize government-reported facts, chiefly from AHCA and related public sources, into a consistent format so families can scan and compare facilities faster. We do not conduct independent clinical inspections.
Regulatory Score
The regulatory score summarizes inspection-related signals from Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) data. We combine them into a single number so families can scan listings quickly. It usually falls in the 0-100 range but can go above 100 when multiple positive signals stack.
We start from a baseline of 100 and adjust as follows:
- Deficiency classes (36-month window): We look at citations from the last 36 months and subtract 3 / 2 / 1 / 0.5 points per Class I / II / III / IV respectively.
- Complaint surveys (36-month window): Each distinct complaint-driven inspection subtracts 1.5 points.
- Emergency action: If AHCA shows an emergency action, subtract 5 points.
- Five-year complaint-free bonus: If the facility has no complaint surveys across the full 60-month window and has been operating for at least 60 months, we add 5 points.
- Gold Seal: If the facility holds Gold Seal status, we add 5 points.
For a plain-language explanation of what Class I through IV mean, the survey-tag categories used to identify each citation, and links to the official AHCA and CMS reference PDFs, see Why Audits Matter.
To keep the public scale easy to compare, displayed regulatory scores use a 10-100 range, with 100+ shown when bonuses push a score above 100.
Serviceability Score
Serviceability scores are 0-100 indicators of how many services, amenities, and activities a facility offers. Every listing starts with a 15-point base and earns additional points across fixed slices and amenity-category slices. Scores above 100 display as 100+.
The serviceability score is built from specialty licenses, Gold Seal, regulatory score, and selected amenity catalog items grouped into services and amenities.
A lower serviceability score does not mean the quality of care is poor. It reflects a more limited range of services, amenities, and activities offered, not the standard of the care itself. For example, a small residential-style facility with six beds may offer a more personal, home-like setting while listing fewer amenities, programs, and activities than a large community. Use this score to gauge breadth of offerings, then tour in person to judge quality and fit.
For amenity slices, each selected catalog item is worth 1 point until the category reaches its max. Languages stay slightly stricter: only non-English languages count, at 1 point each up to 3.
| Component | Max Pts |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Score Baseline | 10 |
| Above & Beyond Bonus | 3 |
| Gold Seal Status | 3 |
| Specialized Licenses (ECC, LNS, LMH) | 3 |
| Care Services | 12 |
| Special programs & services | 5 |
| Room Accommodations | 7 |
| Dining | 7 |
| Fitness & Wellness | 5 |
| Entertainment | 7 |
| Outdoor Activities | 5 |
| Community-sponsored activities | 5 |
| Enrichment | 5 |
| Connection | 3 |
| Languages | 3 |
| Premium amenities | 7 |
| Other | 10 |
| Total Profile Points | 100 |
Why we don't list independent-living-only properties
Standalone independent living communities are not regulated by AHCA the way licensed ALFs and nursing homes are, because they are not supposed to provide hands-on personal care. That has three consequences families should know:
- Hands-off policy. True independent living should not provide hands-on help with bathing, dressing, or walking. A building that routinely does so without an appropriate license can be operating as an unlicensed ALF, which is a third-degree felony under Florida law.
- No AHCA oversight for care. Without licensed care, AHCA does not inspect staffing ratios or medical records the same way it does at licensed facilities. Apples-to-apples safety comparisons get harder.
- Transfer risk. If health declines and regular hands-on help is needed, the community may ask the resident to leave unless the family hires 24/7 private-duty care or moves to a licensed setting.
Because our directory is built on licensed long-term care data families can verify in state records, we do not list independent-living-only properties. In a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), independent living is usually the first step on a licensed campus, and the higher care tiers are separately licensed. Confirm which building falls under which license before you sign.
Important Reminders
Always visit in person
Data is a starting point, not a final answer. Tour facilities, meet staff, and observe the environment firsthand before making any decisions.
Verify current conditions
Inspection data reflects a point in time. Facilities can improve or decline. Always check the latest information directly with AHCA and the facility.
We're educational, not medical
SeniorHomesGuide.com is not a healthcare provider or legal advisor. Consult qualified professionals for medical and legal decisions.
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