Independent Living Communities

Independent Living offers a carefree lifestyle and social connections for active senior adults. Independent Living communities include senior apartments and condominium complexes, subdivisions of single-family homes, and even gated communities. They’re located in a wide range of locales, from suburban settings (often near golf courses) to the midst of cities. An Independent Living community is a good choice for seniors whose lives are no longer focused on careers and raising families.

Independent Living communities should not be confused with nursing homes or assisted living facilities, which cater to residents who need medical and/or physical care. Most independent living communities offer services such as health screenings and dining facilities, but generally they do not have medical personnel available or staff on hand to help with the day-to-day routines of bathing, dressing, and eating. Some communities may offer housekeeping and landscaping services. Note that some types of “senior apartments” include assistive technologies such as handrails and emergency pull cords, but there is no standard that governs this.

Independent Living communities are sometimes called “55 retirement communities” because residents often must be at least 55 years old, with exceptions made for younger spouses. The communities usually do not allow for children to live on the premises, other than short-term visits.

Independent living communities often provide regularly-scheduled senior activities that range from yoga to cooking classes, trips to concerts, shopping and more. Golf is popular at many communities, but there can also be tennis courts, swimming and other water sports, along with hiking and biking trails.

While a gated community next to a golf course may not be what some people think of when it comes to independent living communities, they come in all manner of configurations. There are even RV (recreational vehicle) parks geared towards the needs of independent living. Many people choose a community with better year ’round weather than their current residences, but others prefer to stay near family or friends. States with milder climates such as Florida and Arizona have proportionately more independent living communities, but they can be found even where the weather is more challenging.

The best independent living communities are those that create a sense of well-being and provide systems of support as senior adults transition from work and family to retirement and friends. There are services available online that will help you determine what kind of retirement community is right for you.