Many elderly Americans prefer the lifestyle available to them in senior apartments, looking for independent living in comfortable, secure and low-maintenance living spaces. If you are exploring senior living solutions, apartment complexes will no doubt figure on your list. But do you have a good idea about the amenities senior apartments offer, or the requirements for residency? The information below seeks to give you a fitting introduction to senior apartments.
Do you qualify for residency?
The term “senior apartments” typically means stand-alone independent apartments that are not licensed for assisted living or other higher levels of health care. There are no uniform residency rules; they vary across providers. Most require you to be at least 50 years of age to qualify for residency, while for others the minimum age can be 55 years or even 62 years. There may be restrictions pertaining to the number and size of pets allowed. You will also find senior apartments that cater exclusively to low-income or disabled seniors; most of these are typically funded partially by the government and may not provide the level of luxury available at private senior communities.
It is best to contact individual senior apartment to understand their specific residency requirements and base your decision on that. When you do this, also inquire about the choice of apartments provided – Chateau on Broadway, Carlton Senior Living’s community dedicated to independent senior living, for instance – offers a variety of alcove, one-bedroom, two-bedroom floor plans.
What amenities can you expect?
Again, amenities range among providers from very little to extremely generous. Some typical offerings include:
- Fitness centers equipped with exercise machines
- Clubhouse facilities
- Outdoor areas for picnics and barbecues
- On-site laundry facilities
- Planned activities and scheduled outings
- And some, such as Carlton Senior Living’s Chateau On Broadway, offer meals.
As a potential resident, make sure you carefully peruse the amenities to judge if they meet your social habits and personal preferences. Usually, high rents are associated with a greater number of amenities. Conduct a cost-versus-requirements analysis to see which solution works best for you. Carlton Senior Living’s Retirement Counselors can ssist you in sorting out your preferences and needs. Additionally, they also can provide resources on various options available to meet those needs, thus ensuring your comfort and convenience.
Questions to ask when looking for a senior housing provider
When considering a senior apartment complex, it is advisable to determine which features are most important to you, such as the kind of security. Many elders want 24-hour security with emergency provisions. Anything less can prove to be risky. Accessibility is another crucial aspect – check to determine how accessible individual apartment units are, as well as bathroom door widths, stairs, etc. You may want to have housekeeping and maintenance provided in-house; some apartments even include these in the overall rent. Also verify if transportation is easily accessible and/or provided. A big positive would be well-maintained outdoor spaces, such as lush lawns and beautiful courtyards that enhance your living experience.
Also see if you can talk to residents already living at the apartment complex to understand the services and support provided at the apartment complex. To make an even more informed choice, here is a Free Senior Living Checklist that will help you ask all the right questions <Click here for Checklist>.
