For many aging adults who can still live completely independently, the idea of moving into a community of other senior citizens holds great appeal. Perhaps you no longer want to maintain a large house and would rather move to space where maintenance is taken care of for you. Perhaps you like the idea of community living and meeting with other people your age.
There are many different types of communities that fall under this scope, and they offer varying levels of services and amenities. If your primary concern is housing and you are not interested in lots of bells and whistles, a senior apartment may be the best choice for you. Here are some considerations for choosing the right environment for your needs.
Residency Requirements
The residency requirements for senior living apartments can vary. Some may allow people as young as 50 to reside there, while others may have a minimum age of 55 or 62. The more demand there is in a particular area for this type of housing, the higher the minimum age tends to be. Some senior apartments are designed specifically to serve low-income seniors, retirees or those who have disabilities. In these instances, you will have to meet certain income requirements to be considered for residency. If you have pets, you have to read up on policies carefully as some may have restrictions on the types, number and size, if they allow them at all.
Researching Amenities
Generally, senior apartments tend to offer fewer amenities than a ‘’retirement community.’’ But, this does not mean they are all bare bones—some may have quite a few amenities on offer, such as a pool, clubhouse or planned activities for residents. It is important to get clear on your needs and wants to make sure you find the community that offers what you are looking for. Clearly, the more on offer, the more expensive the rent will be, so think carefully if all those great things listed are things you actually would make use of.
Overall Evaluation
When choosing the right apartment for your needs, there are several things you should be looking out for. How convenient is the location in terms of nearby health care facilities, shops, supermarkets and entertainment options? Are the parking facilities convenient to the location of the units and does there seem to be ample parking? Is public transportation nearby? Does the complex offer any sort of transportation options and if so, where can they take you and how much does it cost?
Make sure to read the lease very carefully and get clarification on any points you do not understand. What sort of controls are there on rent increases?
Have a clear understanding about maintenance—what is included and what things, if any, are you responsible for? Evaluate storage space and closet space to see if it meets your needs—one drawback of moving to a senior apartment is that you will likely have to downsize your possessions.
Kelli Cooper is a freelance writer who has blogged about various issues pertaining to senior living; if you are interested in senior apartments in the Cook and Dupage County area, she recommends learning more about thesse Bartlett senior apartments.