After retirement, the environment where you will live will have an impact on the quality of life that you will enjoy. It will redefine your health, companionship, and the type of social programs that you can engage in. Are you considering a retirement home as part of your long-term retirement plan? A senior living community also known as retirement homes can help you achieve a healthy and happy lifestyle as you age.
What are the different types of senior retirement homes? What type of senior living community options are good for you or your older adults? We have prepared this post to help you learn everything you need to know about senior retirement homes or seniors living communities.
Let’s get started!
What is a retirement community?
A retirement community is a term that is used to refer to different types of senior housing options for older adults (mostly 55 years and above) who require minimal care or are able to take care of themselves. These facilities provide state-of-the-art amenities, protection, care, and a sense of companionship for seniors.
Different types of senior retirement communities
The most common types of senior retirement homes/communities include;
- Independent living communities
Independent living homes are also known as senior living apartments. They are mostly private apartments with modern amenities that are strictly dedicated to older adults who are mostly 55 years and above.
In independent living homes, the seniors do not require any special medical assistance or active care. Their aim is to create a community where seniors come together and live as a community as they continue engaging in their daily active undertakings.
- Assisted living communities
Assisted living senior retirement homes are dedicated to those seniors who do not require a high level of care but would still need to be assisted to carry out their daily activities. Seniors can either live in their own single-family homes or senior apartments.
They receive moderate care such as getting help with dressing, preparing meals, taking medication, transportation, and basic hygiene such as bathing and using the toilet. However, assisted living communities do not provide medical care services directly. They partner with nearby reputable healthcare providers and in-patient facilities.
- Nursing homes
Nursing homes are senior living communities that are dedicated to older adults who require more intensive medical care services. They assist seniors with most of their daily activities including; eating, grooming, medication, bathing, and mobility. Such retirement facilities are ideal for seniors who require acute care.
- Continuing care retirement communities
These are senior retirement communities that specialize in providing long-term care for retirees. Seniors can start living independently and then transition to other assisted living communities as the need arises. Seniors can either sign a life-care contract also known as an unlimited contract or opt for a free-to-service contract which is more affordable.
- Age-restricted senior living communities
Age-restricted senior living communities as the name suggests are strictly offered to persons of a certain age. They are regulated by the U.S Department of Housing & Urban Development together with the Housing for Older Persons.
The “age-qualified” category refers to persons aged 55 years and above and they are mostly required to occupy at least 80% of the facility. However, persons under the age of 19 can’t become permanent residents.
The “age-targeted” ones are specifically reserved for persons who fall under a certain age limit only.
- Lifestyle retirement senior living communities
Lifestyle retirement communities are more sophisticated senior living communities that cater to the needs of retirees according to their preferred lifestyle.
Some of the popular lifestyle retirement senior living communities include; luxury apartments, faith-based retirement communities, golf retirement communities, modular homes communities, and artists retirement communities.
How to choose the perfect senior retirement homes/communities
When choosing the best senior retirement home/community, either for you or for your loved ones, there are certain factors that you need to consider. Such as;
- Location
- Cost
- Level of care required
- Your expectations
- The type of assisted living services offered
What is the difference between a retirement house community and a retirement apartment community?
When selecting your ideal senior retirement living community, you can decide whether you want to live in a house or an apartment community.
A retirement house community involves living in a standalone home but all your neighbors are seniors who share the same lifestyle as you. You can share some amenities but each person enjoys their own privacy and freedom. A retirement house community is best suited for older persons who need minimal or no assisted care.
A retirement apartment community on the other hand is a senior housing option that enables older adults to live together in apartments also known as condominiums. Retirement apartment communities are the most common types of senior housing in the United States.
If you are just starting the search for the best senior retirement home/community either for yourself or for your loved ones, Connect55+ can offer great assistance. We have the best local senior retirement housing options such as 55+ Apartments Kansas City KS, 55+ Apartments Altoona IA, 55+ Apartments Des Moines IA, and 55+ Apartments Manchester CT. Contact us today and we shall help you find the perfect match for your needs and preference.
