For individuals who have spent their adult years raising or providing for a family, retirement can signal ultimate rest and relaxation. Many seniors choose to continue living in the homes they’ve paid for over the years, but an increasing majority of seniors are moving out of their homes. These seniors have grown tired of living in neighborhoods with young children and maintaining their home that’s become too large for them since their kids have moved out.
Explore the 10 Best Types of Senior Living Communities Here:
1. Active Adult Living
Active adult living communities are establishments that offer housing for adults above the age of 55 who are still working full or part-time. Therefore, in this context active means people who are still independent and not relying on help from an attendant or caretaker. There will be no staff available for helping with daily chores including taking medication, housekeeping or anything else that the resident may need to get by on a day-to-day basis. Not only that, many of these establishments will even allow children and grandchildren stay for longer periods of time. An active living community is therefore not a retirement community. Activities offered at these establishments can vary. A reason for this is location. According to the Department of Housing survey, most active living communities are located near a city. Therefore, residents can expect to have easy access to cultural and other activities the city offers.
2. Low Income Senior Housing
For aging adults, finding the right place to live is extremely important. With the children grown and out of the house, living alone in a big place can seem daunting and even scary. The idea of a nursing home might be out of the question. Low income senior housing is possible, and is a great option for seniors who want to live independently.
Many senior citizens are living on fixed incomes, and finding a functional and comfortable place to live on a budget can be hard. However, there are many low-income senior housing options that are affordable and practical. The quality of life for seniors is much greater in this type of housing, and aging becomes less stressful for not only them, but their loved ones, as well. Enjoying the rest of one’s life should be the focus and primary goal of daily living, and senior housing can help achieve it.
3. Assisted Senior Living
While most people would like to be self-sufficient for as long as possible, there will come a time for many people when they need to move into a place that can provide more care. For many people, one great option would be to move into an assisted senior living property that will provide them with a number of amenities that will help to keep them safe and properly cared for. When you are looking to move yourself or a loved one into a new property, there are several things you should look for in assisted senior homes that will help to ensure you make the right decision.
When you are starting the process of finding a property for a loved one, another factor to consider is the overall location and convenience of the property. One of the most important factors that a resident will need to have in order to be happy is plenty of visitors. Because of this, it would be ideal if you were able to find a property that is located near their former home. This will help to make it far more convenient for anyone to come and visit them on a regular basis.
4. Luxury Senior Apartments
Luxury senior living is all the rage right now. Seniors are demanding, and getting, spacious apartments that feel rich and look absolutely stunning. Some apartments boast glorious views. Many have roomy balconies or patios. These outdoor spots can be decorated to suit the resident. Most luxury senior apartments have added bonuses. These could include full-size gyms for healthy exercise close to home. Some apartment buildings have game rooms or community spaces. This is where residents can hold parties or other events. Newer apartments often have a computer area that seniors can use. Parking in these complexes is generally close, safe and convenient.
Another benefit to moving into luxury senior apartments is the comfort of being able to call a maintenance staff member if ever there is a need. Some apartment buildings offer their seniors added services like transportation, shopping trips and special events. These events could be musical concerts, theater productions, art exhibits and so much more. Also, these terrific complexes are typically situated nearby restaurants, shops, museums and leafy green parks with wonderful walking trails. Some buildings are close to subways, railroads or buses. This is fantastic for seniors not wanting to have the responsibility of a vehicle anymore.
5. Budget Senior Housing
For seniors searching for lower cost lifestyle, low-maintenance, budget senior housing could be the ideal option. Budget senior apartments offer amenities such as dining, housekeeping and other activities that make a life for seniors enjoyable and easier. The category of those living in budget senior apartments differs. Some are renters who have lived there their entire life. Others have leased out or sold their homes to search for places that need a little effort. The senior community individuals are restricted to 55 – 62 years or older. The Housing for Older People Acts and US Department of Housing and Urban Development says there must be an individual in the housing who is 55 years or older if the housing is more than 80 percent occupied. This means one spouse can be accompanied by an underage mate.
6. Active Adult Senior Apartments
Active adult senior living communities are community developments where residents are typically over the age of fifty-five. Other than the age requirement, these communities are no different than any other planned community. These types of active adult senior living communities allow residents to live an independent, active adult lifestyle.
Active adult senior living is for individuals who fit the age requirement, are downsizing and prefer to live where there is limited maintenance and plenty of amenities. Residents of these communities lead an independent lifestyle. They are allowed to live an active, country club-like lifestyle. Included amenities in these apartment communities can range from golf courses, on or nearby the property, tennis courts, pools, clubhouses, walking trails, computer labs, and so much more. Residents of these communities are lucky in that they do not have to worry about cutting grass, or watering the lawn, and in some cases, repairs around and/or inside the space in which they reside.
7. Independent Senior Living
The primary difference between senior apartments and a nursing home lies in active adult independent living. With senior apartments, the elderly have more freedom and responsibility than at a senior care or nursing home. This allows seniors to live alone and independent, yet with the peace of mind that help is not far when needed. This sort of balance is ideal for those that are healthy enough to live on their own but still require care close by.
The function and format of most independent living communities are quite similar. Typically, seniors are housed in apartments that are all comfortably set in a tight-knit community. Services are located onsite and a close distance to the apartments themselves. However, most senior apartments communities are indistinguishable from normal apartments. The only difference is that assisted living services are available nearby. Again, this combines the freedom and at-home comfort while providing the safety of help at a close distance.
8. Out of State Senior Living
Deciding to retire out-of-state may be your best option when looking for the best retirement community. The two most popular states for retirees are Florida and Arizona, as both states have services that cater to retirees. You may be wondering why these two states? Well on the surface, both offer two very different lifestyles for retirees. Florida retirement is great for ocean breezes and a laid-back feel, while Arizona retirement appeals to the desert lover who enjoys a southwest lifestyle.
Both states have an abundance of popular retirement community types including senior apartments, senior mobile home parks, and gated-senior communities. Each of these options is appealing for different reasons. All popular retirement community types are age-restricted and cater to different lifestyles. Some require only one spouse to be over the age requirement. Some allow grandchildren to stay overnight and some do not. Some provide all the outdoor maintenance and others require upkeep.
9. Luxury Senior Facilities
Choosing the right care for an elderly loved one can be challenging. But today’s senior housing is designed to make seniors feel more at home than ever before. Luxury senior facilities boast many of the same amenities found at a five-star hotel or on a cruise ship. They present the clinical aspects of senior care in a resort-like setting that is designed with comfort in mind.
Perhaps one of the biggest opportunities that luxury senior housing offers is the level of care provided. In addition to standard personal care, many also offer a wide range of additional therapies, including high-quality occupational therapy. Some even offer software programs that are designed to improve brain function.
10. Senior Mobile Homes
It is not just the affordability of mobile homes that attracts seniors. The amenities that are offered in most 55 and over mobile home parks are also a big plus. Most mobile home parks offer many of the same amenities and activities that are found in traditional style age-restricted communities. Of course, the amenities and activities offered depend on the specific mobile home park and, in some instances, the region of the country where the park is located. Amenities such as community centers, gym memberships and community pools attracted seniors.
Most age-restricted mobile home communities are located near towns, shopping areas and medical centers. A lot of the locations are adjacent to the golf course or have one close by. Some locations have waterfront property for boating, fishing and enjoying other water activities, while others are located in areas nearby oceans, lakes or rivers. Many 55 and over mobile home parks are gated communities that provide twenty-four-hour security for their residents. Senior mobile communities are usually on paved roads, near the center of town, easy to find or visit often. Senior mobile homes are a great alternative to expensive senior living.
