Popular Retirement Housing Options

Senior Living Portal

More seniors than ever before are choosing to age independently and as a result, many different kinds of retirement living have popped up. With the diversity and size of the market, it can understandably get confusing. Specifically, there are four types that tend to blend together in people's minds: 55+ communities, independent living/retirement communities, continuing care, and affordable senior housing.

55 Plus Communities

55 Plus communities are great for people who want to be around others who are the same age. Most are situated in apartment or condo complexes so there is no need to worry about yard work or self-repairs. These types of communities are for seniors who are able to care for themselves with no requirement of skilled nursing. While some communities offer transportation to drive residents to medical appointments, there is no doctor or nurse on the premises. Each community has different rules and prices, but generally people pay through private means. Find a community that offers events and activities to promote socialization with your neighbors. This is one of the major benefits of living in a 55+ community so take advantage of it. Often very strict on the age policy, 55+ communities do not allow anyone under that age to live or even stay for prolonged periods of time.

Independent Living/Retirement Communities

For slightly older seniors, independent living communities provide an unrivaled sense of freedom and privacy while still offering the convenience of amenities like dining, laundry, housekeeping, yard work, and transportation services. Seniors in independent living have rich social lives; dining together with other residents and enjoying planned activities or extracurricular programs. Independent living communities are sometimes called retirement communities and if a senior plans early enough, they can spend most of their retirement in the same place. Residents in this type of living are generally in good health and should not expect to receive skilled nursing services or help with ADLs (activities of daily living).

By and large, living quarters exist inside apartment buildings, condo divisions, or as homes arranged around a clubhouse. Homes are mostly paid for privately and seniors often choose this type of living for the social aspect of being near people their own age. Other times, people choose it because they would like to live in a home or apartment that does not require too much maintenance. The major advantages are living autonomously with a spouse, access to transportation/age-related services, and a great social network.

Continuing Care Communities

Continuing care communities are for people who would like to age in the same place for many years to come. Continuing Care provides multiple levels of care, adapting to the needs of the resident as those needs change. Many communities look and feel like a retirement community, but can accommodate care all the way up to a nursing home level in the same location. The main benefit for the resident is that they will not be forced to move from their comfort zone to receive more medical attention. Residents purchase units within the community and pay a monthly fee depending upon the type of care needed. As their needs grow, the monthly fee to live in the community increases accordingly. Spouses can remain close even if one requires more care or attention than the other.

Affordable Senior Housing

Sometimes simply called affordable senior housing, this type of living is designed to help low income seniors. Usually, this is for seniors who can take care of themselves, but need assistance financially. In some cities, new developments must include a certain number of units dedicated to low-income seniors at a subsidized rate. In other cities where these type of housing projects do not exist, Section 8 vouchers are the equivalent. This is a federally provided benefit which allows seniors to find their own housing as long as it meets the requirements of the program. Would-be residents must apply through their local HUD Office and meet strict economic eligibility requirements. There are sometimes waiting lists so it pays to apply as soon as possible.

Max Gottlieb is the content manager for Senior Planning. Senior Planning provides free assistance to seniors or the disabled and specializes in long-term care; including finding and arranging care services, transitioning people into care homes, and applying for state and federal benefits.

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DISCLAIMER: Links to other websites or references to products, services or publications do not imply the endorsement or approval of such websites, products, services or publications by Elder Options of Texas. The determination of the need for senior care services and the choice of a facility is an extremely important decision. Please make your own independent investigation.