Living apartment that is specifically dedicated to seniors to provide them comfort, amenities, and ease to improve their quality of life are known as Senior apartments.

Types of senior housing: (1)

Options are available for you or your loved ones to live with assistance or independently. Assisted living helps seniors who are suffering from different medical conditions. They provide home nursing and assistance with daily activities to seniors. Senior housing is age-restricted and valid for seniors who are plus 55 or 62.

Independent living:

These communities offer independent living with the advantage of the full-service community. Despite your inability to live independently, you have the option to live in such communities. Keep in mind that these communities do not offer personal assistance and medical care, but you are allowed to hire medical help independently. Apartments, homes, and condos are included in independent living. Services these communities offer are:

  • Transportation
  • All-inclusive rent
  • Laundry service
  • Housekeeping
  • Prepared meals
  • Planned recreational activities

Assisted living

This is also called ADULT LIVING COMMUNITIES and SUPPORTED CARE FACILITIES. These communities allow you to live independently but also offer some level of personal care such as help with daily activities that include medication, bathing, dressing, housekeeping, and meals. Options for Assisted living ranges from apartments to shared rooms depending on your budget and preference. Assisted living offer services such as:

  • 24-hour staff
  • Laundry service
  • Housekeeping
  • Prepared meals
  • Planned recreational activities
  • Housing and health care
  • Transportation
  • Assistance with daily activities (ADL)

Alzheimer’s and memory care units

They are also known as ALZHEIMER’s SPECIAL CARE UNITS or MEMORY CARE UNITS. Those with Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions will get a safe and protected environment in these communities. Such units are staffed with qualified and trained medical professionals and nurses. Usually, they are set up to MINIMISE WANDERING that is very common in seniors with memory issues. In some areas, memory care units may present with other categories of living such as assisted living and nursing homes. Services that these units provide are as follows:

  • Planned social programs
  • 24-hour supervised service
  • Medication management
  • Daily meals
  • Physical therapy
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry service

Continuing care retirement community

These communities are also referred to as LIFE PLAN COMMUNITIES, CCRCs, and CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES. Among housing types, they provide a continuum of care. One housing type called CCRCs, allows seniors to reside in the same facility for their whole life. When seniors enter a continuing care retirement community in independent living, they are allowed to move to assisted living when required. If seniors like to shift in nursing homes they can move easily after permission. Services that these communities offer are:

  • Housekeeping
  • Assistant with daily living (ADL)
  • Housing and health care
  • 24-hour availability of staff
  • Laundry services
  • Transportation
  • Planned social activities
  • Prepared meals

Low-Income senior housing:

Usually, seniors are not prepared or aware of their financial problems after retirement. Therefore, housing schemes and HUD programs are there to help them out. They offer apartments for seniors with different amenities at low prices. They are creating senior housing for seniors in every country and state to facilitate seniors with affordable apartments. These programs offer rent assistance, assisted living for seniors, and assisted living for the disabled and house ownership.

Pricing categories for senior apartments:

The rent cost of a senior apartment varies. However, they are categorized into three main types:

  • Affordable senior apartments:

Seniors living in such apartments have to pay only thirty percent of their total income. And this cost includes rent, utilities, etc. This price is determined by local and state law.

  • Market rate senior apartments:

These apartments are offered at a competitive rate to the market. They usually offer low costs than other local apartments of all ages.

  • Luxury senior apartments:

These are high-end apartments for seniors. They are commonly known to be the second residence for seniors. These apartments are located near cultural areas.

How to find low-income senior apartments:

All senior apartments must be labeled as low-income senior apartments. The first step in finding an apartment is to access your monthly budget. After accessing look for the area or location where you want to live and then consider what type of amenities you want. Check for required bedrooms if you are downsizing. Check the website for low-income or affordable senior apartments, filter the prices according to your budget or you can simply search for cheap types of apartments. During the search, also check for disability access and the number of bathrooms. Also, check for the number and type of pets allowed. You can also filter for specific amenities you want. If you are seeking public low-income senior housing, you should contact the office of PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY or HUD.

Where to find low-income senior apartments?

Areas mentioned below are the well-known metros for such apartments:

  • Phoenix area
  • Las Vegas area
  • Seattle area
  • Dallas area
  • Atlanta area
  • Central Connecticut
  • Salt lake valley
  • Tampa Bay
  • Pittsburgh area
  • Sacramento area
  • New York City area
  • Miami area
  • Denver area
  • Austin area
  • Indianapolis area
  • Columbus area
  • Milwaukee area
  • Washington D.C area
  • San Antonio area
  • Orlando area

Amenities offered at senior apartments. (2)

Fitness center:

Communities of senior living provide wellness programs for fitness. These services are given so you maintain your health goals.

Library:

Now seniors are more into reading books on smartphones, but libraries can play a significant role in lives. If you are fond of reading books, you should go to the physical library.

Housekeeping and maintenance:

A maintenance-free lifestyle is the main reason why seniors choose such apartments. They offer services where maintenance and housekeeping staff is available for you when you need them. In your free time, you can focus on activities you love the most.

Dining:

Different menus are offered at senior apartments. You should try to have your lunch and dinner in the main dining hall, where you can talk to other seniors living around you and maintain your social life. If communities offer café or coffee shop, you can go there to have some tea or lunch.

Security

A security that is offered by most communities is the main attraction for seniors. They have security staff at the campus that gives you peace of mind at this age.

References:

  1. https://www.after55.com/senior-housing
  2. https://foresthillretirement.org/why-amenities-matter-for-your-senior-living-lifestyle/