independent living

There are many options available for Senior Housing.  Senior living is a broad term that includes all kinds of senior housing: independent living, assisted living, memory care, group homes and skilled nursing facilities (aka nursing homes).

The first option is Independent Living.  Here are some other terms commonly used to refer to Independent Living:  Retirement communities, Retirement homes, 55+ or 62+ communities, Active adult communities, senior apartments and senior housing. Each type of Independent Living Facility has unique characteristics.   The confusion over all these terms stems from the fact that these are key words used in online advertising, search engines and websites and every company or facility wants to be included in the search results.  If you do a search for Senior Independent Living, you will get Assisted Living options too.

Generally speaking, they all have a common characteristic.  They are designed for people 55 and older or 62 and older. When they require that a resident be 62 or over it is usually because the owner is receiving a tax credit for providing housing for the elderly and 62 is the minimum age.  Many of these 62+ communities are rent controlled; there is a maximum monthly income allowed and assets may count against the monthly income allowed.

There are many misconceptions about Independent Living.  The first is that you lose your privacy.  That is simply not true.  In a true Independent Living Community, the senior adult controls access to their home.  They decide who has access.  Furniture and furnishings are a personal choice and must be provided by the senior.  Senior adults decide what, if any, activities they want to participate in.

Senior apartment complexes are simply what the name implies.  They are apartments designed exclusively for people over 55.   If they do offer a meal option; the cost is not included in the rent and the service is usually provided by a third-party provider.  Seniors are responsible for rent, all utilities, meals, and housekeeping. Some may advertise they have someone “on call” 24 hours a day, but it is usually an answering service.  This is a great option for someone looking for a maintenance free, but truly independent lifestyle.  Many of these apartment complexes offer social activities and limited transportation as well.  These communities may or may not feature ADA accessible features such as ramps, wide hallways and doorways, lower countertops, grab bars in the bathroom and raised toilets.  Many of these items can be added as needed. It is noteworthy that the staff at these places is not able to provide any assistance beyond leasing or maintenance.  No one will check on your parent if they haven’t seen them in a while.

Retirement communities or Retirement Homes vary as well.  Some will include utilities, housekeeping, two or three meals day, live-in managers, transportation and social activities.  Others are a hybrid; they offer some of those features, but not all.  Some communities will allow seniors to pick a meal plan instead of requiring the meal plan as part of the contract or rental agreement.

Active Adult Communities are generally master planned communities where the senior adult purchases a single-family home in an age restricted community.  These subdivisions are typically managed by a property management company and are governed by a Home Owner’s Association.  Typically, these communities have golf courses, a resident activity center or clubhouse, pools and hot tubs and array of activities designed for the homeowners.