Independent Living for Seniors

If you are an older age adult who wants to maintain freedom and independence but feel overwhelmed by home upkeep, concerned about transport limitations affecting social activities, or seek companionship from like-minded peers, Independent Living care option may be something for you to consider.

Independent living is a type of housing arrangement available for older adults who are aged 55 years and above. These are housing facilities that are readily available for you and created to offer suitable environments to engage in individual and community activities. Choosing the type of independent living facility depends on the services you need and the corresponding cost.

Affordable Senior Housing (Subsidized Housing): This type of independent living facility is based on the available support or subsidy by the government. In the United States, the senior housing complexes are given support by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Senior apartments or congregate care housing: This is a place where older adults live in an apartment complex. People who live here are aged 55 years and above. The cost of living depends on the services provided by the apartment as well as the community programs you might need such as transportation, food, and recreation.

Retirement homes/retirement communities: Retirement community is another type of housing facility that is created specifically for older adults aged 55 or 65 years and above. Retirement homes can further be classified as townhouses, condominium, single-family homes, duplexes, or mobile homes. The cost of choosing this type of housing comes from the actual unit and additional fees such as maintenance, recreation, or clubhouses paid on a monthly basis. LANEBROOK is the perfect example of a retirement community.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs): This type of independent living facility is created for older adults who are experiencing or anticipating health problems. CCRC provides different care services, including nursing home, assisted living, and independent living. Since many CCRCs offer assisted and independent living together, this can be advantageous if you are seeking a place that is easy to relocate and maintain independence when necessary.

Each of the independent living facilities mentioned above has their own corresponding features that can make your life easy and comfortable and allow you to take advantage of the different individual and community activities. We recommend that you identify your existing limitations and look into the independent living options that can help in making your daily routine the easiest to accomplish.

Is Independent Living for You?

Think about these important factors when deciding if Independent Living is the right choice for you:

Ease of maintaining your current home: Is your house too large or has extra rooms to maintain? Is your way to or around your home becoming difficult to access? You may hire outside help, seek assistance from family members, or remodel parts of your home as a remedy. Alternatively, you can move to a place that does not require a lot of maintenance and upkeep. You may turn to an Independent Living community where you can enjoy more freedom and flexibility in the long run.

Difficulty in connecting with friends and family: Do you have a difficult time getting out of the house due to mobility issues or trouble driving. Do you rarely connect with friends and neighbors because they’re busy with work and family? Is your neighborhood becoming difficult to get around? Independent Living facilities can offer you built-in social network of peers and structured activities, such as sports, arts, and field trips, to establish reliable companionship and lasting relationships within the community.

Ease of getting around: Do you live in an area where you have to drive to attend social activities, visit friends, or shop? Do you find yourself in public transport or depend on your family or friends to get around? Independent Living or retirement communities can give you the convenience of onsite amenities and transportation options to outside activities.

Your health (and the health of your spouse): Do you have a health condition that makes it difficult to stay active? Do you also consider your spouse’s health? Do you think about how you can manage your daily activities, such as washing, showering, and eating, as time passes by? If you see needing only minor assistance with activities of daily living, then Independent Living may be right for you.

We recommend that you take our Care Questionnaire to discover which care option is best for you.

The Cost of Independent Living

The average monthly cost of independent living in the U.S. ranges from $1,500 to $3,500. As you consider this care option, make sure to prepare a budget to estimate costs, taking into account daily expenses as well as medical bills.

Medicare does not cover Independent Living costs. Some long-term insurance with home care benefits may pay portions of Independent Living expenses. For most retirees, expenses are often covered by pension, savings, and the sale of home and other assets.

When you are considering subsidized housing, know that waiting lists can be quite long and the waiting can take years. It’s best to plan in advance for this option.

When thinking about costs, make sure you are able to handle wisely both the initial investment and the monthly fees, including homeowner association dues and fees for on-site services. Think about the services offered and how much do they cost if you need them in the future?