Senior Living Options: Homes and Apartments
Retirement isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither are senior living options. Whether you buy or rent, want a home or apartment or desire to live independently vs. receiving additional care, here are the options to consider.
Why a Retirement Community?
There are many benefits of living in a retirement community as opposed to a traditional neighborhood, even if you’re on the earlier side of retirement age.
These benefits include:
- Spending time in a like-minded community with other adults who are in the same stage of life.
- Having access to community events and activities such as classes, clubs, holiday parties, a community center and other recreation.
- Using all-inclusive amenities such as internet, housekeeping and grocery delivery.
- Having a sense of security through 24/7 staff on-site or nearby (even if you are living independently) and emergency alert systems.
- Enjoying a more walkable neighborhood.
Senior Living Options to Consider
The type of senior living that’s right for you depends on your age, physical abilities, family situation and preferences.
Home Ownership
Owning a home in a retirement community provides all the benefits of buying a house, such as having local friends and a sense of belonging, with fewer home ownership worries. In independent living communities, services such as housekeeping, repairs and lawn maintenance are often available on-site, giving you peace of mind. Many communities also offer options for transportation if you don’t want or need to own a car. Plus, many of these homes are built with senior adults in mind in terms of layout, accessibility and safety features.
Considerations for Home Ownership
- Physical Abilities – Do you need additional care (such as assisted living or skilled nursing) or anticipate needing it soon? Do you have a spouse who needs additional care?
- Financial Status – Do you have savings or other resources for purchasing a home? Do you have an existing home in a regular neighborhood that you need to sell before making the transition to a retirement community?
Rental Homes
Want to live in an independent home without the permanence of home ownership? Consider a rental home in a retirement community. This senior living option allows you to enjoy the independence of your own home, especially if you retire earlier in life. You don’t have to worry about any responsibility for maintenance or lawn care. This option also provides a smoother transition to assisted living or other care if needed in the future.
Considerations for Renting a Home
- Physical Abilities – Can you live independently, or do you need staff to check in on you regularly? Do you need more room than an apartment provides for a spouse, other family member or a pet?
- Financial Status – If you are not in the financial position to purchase a home, renting one may be more attainable.
Manufactured Homes
Manufactured homes are another great senior living option for many older adults. These homes are more affordable than buying or renting a traditional home but offer many of the same benefits, such as privacy and independence. They are usually within walking distance of other amenities including community centers and local stores. You get to enjoy living in the retirement community at a more accessible entry point.
Considerations for Manufactured Homes
- Physical Abilities – Can you live independently, or do you need staff to check in on you regularly?
- Financial Status – What’s realistic for your budget based on your wants, needs and savings?
Income-Based Rentals
Not sure if living in a retirement community is workable within your budget? Don’t write it off without considering all your options. Many communities offer income-based rentals (also referred to as subsidized housing). This is a great option for many seniors and offers many of the same benefits as traditional home ownership or rental.
Considerations for Income-Based Rentals
- Financial Status – What do you quality for based on your annual income and resources?
Assisted Living
If living independently isn’t realistic for you due to physical or other needs, assisted living in a retirement community might be the perfect option. This type of care allows an older adult to receive support while still maintaining some level of independence, with staff always on call. Daily assistance might include help with getting dressed, brushing teeth, taking medication, cleaning and preparing meals.
Who qualifies for assisted living? Each state sets its own assisted living guidelines that an older adult must meet before qualifying for this type of care. The individual case must also be approved by a physician. In addition, many assisted living communities have a minimum age requirement.
Considerations for Assisted Living
- Financial Status – Have you found a community that is affordable and transparent with billing so you know you can afford to live there long-term?
- Cost – Ask what is included in the monthly fee. Are meals, personal care, housekeeping or other services included?
- Physical Need – Has a physician confirmed you qualify for this type of care? Will it be covered by insurance?
Skilled Nursing
Depending on the type of care you require, skilled nursing is another senior living option offered by many retirement communities. In skilled nursing, an individual receives constant care from skilled professionals. Day or night, a doctor or nurse practitioner is always on call. While receiving this care, each patient receives a specialized treatment plan that has been developed by a physician or nurse.
Skilled nursing may also include additional, specialized medical care such as rehabilitation, speech therapy, physical therapy, reconstructive nursing and memory care. Unlike assisted living, time spent in skilled nursing may vary. An older adult may need a short-term rehabilitative stay after an injury or long-term nursing care with memory support services.
Considerations for Skilled Nursing
Physical Need – Has a physician confirmed you qualify for this type of care? Will it be covered by insurance?
Not Sure Which Senior Living Option is Right for You?
Advent Christian Village is a faith-based senior living community in beautiful Live Oak, Florida. We offer a full continuum of care that grows with our residents as they need it, from home ownership in independent neighborhoods to our compassionate assisted living and skilled nursing care. As part of our mission to make community living more accessible to everyone, we also offer manufactured housing and income-based rentals. There is truly something for everyone.
Benefits include walkable communities, convenient amenities and services, medical care and a local pharmacy, a sense of belonging and lifelong friendships with other community members.
Schedule a tour today – we welcome people of all faiths and walks of life. We’d love to share what your life at Advent Christian Village could be.
