Senior Living Apartments

What Are They

• Senior Living Apartments are apartments designed for older adults to live independently without the necessary upkeep of an independent home.
• Senior apartments are ideal for those looking for an economical, minimal maintenance way of life. 285
• Apartments will be designed with older adult needs in mind. They may have limited stairs and more elevators or exist on one floor.  They may have handicapped accessibility in common rooms/hallways/entrances/exits.

What do Senior Apartments look like:

• There are many senior apartment set ups.
• Senior communities can consist of condos, townhouse, and duplex arrangements. These three type of senior living communities offers independent and private living.
• There are multiple apartment complexes that vary in size from a studio apartment to a multiple or suite set up. This offers seniors their own private bedroom and shared kitchen, bathroom and living room.

Senior Living Apartment Amenities:

• Dining room with prepared meals.
• Common room with televisions, games, activities.
• Laundry facilities and or laundry services.
• Transportation services to appointments, worship services, shopping, community events.
• Gyms and or fitness activities.
• Cable and internet services.
• Housekeeping services.
• Furnished or unfurnished apartments/condos/townhouses.
• Individually controlled temperature units.
• All of these amenities may not be included in the monthly rent. There may be additional amenities such a prescription drug delivery, recreational trips and emergency staff on call that will have an additional cost to them.

Who resides in Senior Living Apartments

• People who want to downsize from a home to something more manageable.
• People who have lost a spouse or partner.
• People who have divorced.
• People who want to live closer to their adult children or other family members.
• People seeking senior adult interactions and friendships.
• People who want to travel without the need of getting outside assistance to take care of the homestead.
• People usually are 55 years of age or older. Most will allow a younger spouse to live with their 55 year or older spouse. This keeps the Senior Living community more in tune with the needs of the seniors living there.
• Senior Living communities generally have to have more than three quarters of their residents 55 or above.
• People with handicapping conditions can be allowed into Senior Living Communities if under the minimum age.

Senior Living Apartment Costs:

• The cost of Senior Living Apartments differs depending on the size of the unit, amenities, location (city verses rural), purchasing the apartment or renting it, single living or sharing a unit.
• You need to do your research and compare costs carefully. It can cost from $1200 to over $6,500 a month.  Remember to factor in what you would pay for taxes, utilities, appliance replacement, property upkeep, taxes, entertainment, transportation, housekeeping and meals if you lived at home.
• There are options for seniors who need low-income apartments. Your best bet is to contact your local HUD agency for assistance.
• Paying for Senior Living Apartments is generally out of pocket unless you qualify for low-income housing assistance (check with HUD). Most seniors use the profit from selling their homes, savings, investment income or private financing to cover the cost.

Senior Living Communities questions to be asked:

• Set up a tour making sure to be observant of the facility and its surroundings.
• What staff is available to the residents? Are they welcoming?
• What are the common areas like? Do all residents have access to them?
• Is the facility handicapped accessible?
• Is there parking available for residents and guests? Is it well lite?
• Is the neighborhood safe?
• What shopping, theater, museums, etc. is available in the surrounding community?
• Are there walking and or biking trails nearby?
• Is the facility well maintained inside and out?
• Do the floor plans seem to match with your living needs?
• How much storage is in the unit? Will it be enough?
• Is the kitchen adequate for your entertainment needs?
• Are the appliances updated?
• Is the bathroom able to accommodate your current and future needs?
• Are there safety bars in the bath or shower?
• Can you decorate/paint the apartment to meet your needs?
• Does each apartment and common area have fire and carbon monoxide detectors as well as a sprinkler system?
• What amenities are available to the residents?
• Speak with the residents and ask them questions. Are the residents content living there? How are the amenities? How is the staff? Are they responsive to requests and services?  What would they like to see improved?

Summary:

• Do your research both on the facility and all the options available in your area.
• Compare and contrast your options.
• Look into financial support that is or may be available to you.