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What is Independent Living?
Independent Living provides the greatest versatility and freedom. Independent Living for seniors
refers to residence in a compact, easy-to-maintain, private apartment or house within a community
of seniors. Any housing arrangement designed exclusively for seniors (generally those age 55+; in
some cases the age requirement is 62+) may be classified as an Independent Living community.
refers to residence in a compact, easy-to-maintain, private apartment or house within a community
of seniors. Any housing arrangement designed exclusively for seniors (generally those age 55+; in
some cases the age requirement is 62+) may be classified as an Independent Living community.
Independent Living is ideal for seniors who:
- are healthy and able to care for themselves;
- want to live independently;
- desire the security to be found in a seniors-only community;
- no longer want to maintain a house;
- prefer to live among their peers;
- can communicate with doctors and caregivers by themselves, or with the help of family or
friends, but without the help of trained, onsite staff; - have enough money to pay for the kind of home they are looking for, or else can be satisfied
with subsidized housing.
If a senior needs occasional personal or medical care, they must be able to bring in health care
providers from outside the community.
The physical structure of Independent Living facilities is quite diverse. As noted above, any housing
arrangement designed exclusively for seniors qualifies as senior Independent Living.
The available communal space depends upon the Independent Living community. Some provide
only a small communal sitting room. Others have entire community centers that include dining
rooms and recreational facilities. Most Independent Living units include small kitchens, and some
communities also offer meals in a communal dining area. The cost of the facility reflects the
amount of community space and its designated use.
Independent Living for seniors is also known as:
• Retirement Communities
• Retirement Homes
• Senior Apartments
• Senior Housing
• Independent Living Communities.
As the name implies, Independent Living is just that: the ability to maintain one's residence and
lifestyle without custodial or medical assistance. If custodial or medical care becomes necessary,
residents in Independent Living for seniors are permitted to bring in outside services of their choice.
• Retirement Communities
• Retirement Homes
• Senior Apartments
• Senior Housing
• Independent Living Communities.
As the name implies, Independent Living is just that: the ability to maintain one's residence and
lifestyle without custodial or medical assistance. If custodial or medical care becomes necessary,
residents in Independent Living for seniors are permitted to bring in outside services of their choice.
Regardless of the type of Independent Living situation you choose, you may want to keep
some or all of the following considerations in mind in order to find the community that best
suits your needs:
• Is parking convenient to your living unit, and is the parking area well lit?
• Is there a security guard or a gated entrance to the facility?
• Is public transportation available?
• Do you want a unit that is built all on one floor, or are stairs OK?
• How close is the Independent Living community to a medical facility and/or your doctor?
• Do amenities such as cabinets and storage space meet your present and possible future needs?
• Is the shower/bathtub adaptable to your needs as you age? (e.g., can grab bars be installed?)
• Are the community services that are provided what you want and need?
some or all of the following considerations in mind in order to find the community that best
suits your needs:
• Is parking convenient to your living unit, and is the parking area well lit?
• Is there a security guard or a gated entrance to the facility?
• Is public transportation available?
• Do you want a unit that is built all on one floor, or are stairs OK?
• How close is the Independent Living community to a medical facility and/or your doctor?
• Do amenities such as cabinets and storage space meet your present and possible future needs?
• Is the shower/bathtub adaptable to your needs as you age? (e.g., can grab bars be installed?)
• Are the community services that are provided what you want and need?
Mid-range
The next level of Independent Living for seniors is rental facilities. Rental fees are indexed to the
cost of luxury housing in your geographic area. In addition to rent, you'll also incur a monthly
charge for services. Depending upon the services used, the monthly fee can be anywhere from a
few hundred to several thousand dollars.
The built-in benefits of senior-only communities are:
Independent Living facilities often include a number of optional services, including:
Some communities include full-time directors for social or recreational services, while others offer
only informal activities. Some facilities even have a social worker on staff to assist in contacting
agencies that provide medical or personal care. Many also are gated communities with their own
security guards.
Because Independent Living options for seniors vary so widely, and given the ongoing market
fluctuations in real estate throughout the U.S., there is no way to predict what your particular
Independent Living situation might cost. However, there are some guidelines that correlate with the
Independent Living options described earlier.
- Many peers living nearby with whom to socialize
- Features designed into the housing to provide comfort, security, and safety for seniors
Independent Living facilities often include a number of optional services, including:
- Recreational, educational, and social activities such as shopping trips and cultural outings
- Communal Meals
- Housekeeping
- Local transportation
- Exercise facilities, such as pools, saunas and exercise machines
- Libraries
- Beauty shops
- Gardens
- Activity rooms or clubhouses
- Golf courses
- Tennis and shuffleboard courts
Some communities include full-time directors for social or recreational services, while others offer
only informal activities. Some facilities even have a social worker on staff to assist in contacting
agencies that provide medical or personal care. Many also are gated communities with their own
security guards.
Because Independent Living options for seniors vary so widely, and given the ongoing market
fluctuations in real estate throughout the U.S., there is no way to predict what your particular
Independent Living situation might cost. However, there are some guidelines that correlate with the
Independent Living options described earlier.
Low End
The lowest cost Independent Living facilities are those that are subsidized by public or private
charities, or through HUD. The cost of the subsidized housing is a percentage of the senior
resident's income. Note that Medicare and Medicaid will not cover any portion of your housing
payment since they are forms of health insurance, and no healthcare is provided in an Independent
Living arrangement.
The lowest cost Independent Living facilities are those that are subsidized by public or private
charities, or through HUD. The cost of the subsidized housing is a percentage of the senior
resident's income. Note that Medicare and Medicaid will not cover any portion of your housing
payment since they are forms of health insurance, and no healthcare is provided in an Independent
Living arrangement.
High End
The highest cost Independent Living facilities are planned retirement communities that require
buying a home or living unit. The cost of a home is indexed to the cost of other luxury housing in
your geographic area. In addition, the shared amenities of the retirement community are figured into
a monthly fee of $1000 to $2000. This fee covers taxes, common utilities, and community services.
Residential Care Facility Listing
