Independent Living

With more Americans living longer than ever before, the idea of adequate options for healthy, well-adjusted senior living is extremely important. As with many things in life, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to anticipating the needs of older Americans, and having a variety of care options available for all types of people and situations is a key component in successfully providing for our senior citizens.

One of the biggest challenges faced by many is remaining financially stable and as independent as possible, while still receiving any extra care and attention that may improve the quality of life.

For many older people, moving into a retirement community is a way to simplify life while retaining a sense of independence and well-being.

A majority of retirement communities are geared toward those in good health and spirits who may find the demands of a large home too taxing or unnecessary, or simply enjoy the idea of living in a community of their peers. As people age, it is often natural to find one’s support network has dwindled, and family may be overly protective, or preoccupied with their own lives.

A retirement community provides activities, companionship, and the ability to remain as independent as one’s health and mobility allows. While it is not for everyone, many people find the atmosphere a positive and reassuring one.

Another benefit of this type of senior living is that there is access to help when and if it’s needed. Many older people prefer to live alone, but are afraid of not being able to receive assistance in the case of an accident or emergency. Living in a retirement community often means that help is a moment away; while residents are not attended by medical staff as they are in a nursing home, someone is always on hand to respond to stressful and potentially dangerous situations. Read the rest of this entry »

Maybe it’s the thought of mowing the grass, shoveling the snow, or the kitchen faucet that needs to be repaired. The multitude of responsibilities and maintenance involved in keeping up your current home may make the move to an Independent Living Community look very attractive. But is it affordable?

This is a question we hear a lot. In most communities utilities, maintenance, some laundry, and some meals are included in the fee. Use the monthly fee to compare to costs of staying in your current living situation. Remember to include utilities, taxes, insurance, fees paid for the yard work, and maintenance of your home. There should be a staff member available, at the facility you are considering, who can go over financial information with you.

If you are considering moving into a Continuum of Care Retirement Community as opposed to a stand alone Independent Retirement Community, there may be entrance fees or life care contracts to consider. According to the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission, there are three basic types of contract that a resident enters into with a CCRC: extensive, modified, and fee-for-service. An extensive contract offers unlimited long-term nursing care for little or no substantial increase in your usual monthly payments. Entrance fees and monthly costs under extensive contracts are typically higher than those under modified or fee-for-service contracts. That entrance fee may be refundable over time, partially refundable or nonrefundable. You may acquire ownership of your residence within the community, or you may be provide housing on a rental basis. Read the rest of this entry »

When time for retirement comes for you, it’s important to have your retirement facility planned out. It’s never too early to start planning for this stage of your life and it can help a great deal if you know what your options really are. The more you know about the facilities that are available, the better it will help you to choose the right one for you.

One thing that most American senior living communities have in common is that they are often located in warm climates like Florida or California and they are often made up of apartment buildings or multi-family living facilities. There are two main types of living communities and these are assisted living or independent living facilities.

But these are not all encompassing as there are also facilities that merge both so you can the most personalized care possible. Independent living is best for retired seniors who want to live on their own as much as possible. They need little to no care from professionals or medical personnel but they may not want to deal with the hassle that comes with caring for their own home anymore. It can be easier to move to an independent living facility where you can still get the freedom and enjoyment you want. Read the rest of this entry »