Senior apartments are different types of housing specifically for seniors i.e., people above the age of 55. These are designed to assist the senior citizens to meet their basic needs. Some features are specifically designed for seniors like less stairs, low pile carpets, emergency response systems, maintenance, transportation facilities, medical facilities, and so on to help the senior citizens age safely at some place.

They may include laundry assistance, housekeeping, spas, salons, fitness centers, etc. senior apartments are gaining popularity owing to their wide range of features helpful for adults.

There are two other types of senior living apartments that offer more amenities and services for seniors. For seniors who need more services, such as assistance with laundry or personal transportation, there are independent living senior apartments. These apartments are for seniors with a greater level of care, but whom are still active and independent. Seniors who need medical care on a regular basis, someone to help them get dressed, or assistance with eating should check with assisted living senior apartments. Keep in mind, an assisted living community does not provide around-the-clock care of nurses or other staff. However, with this type of senior living staff members are available 24/7 for assistance.

Who Lives in Senior Apartments?[i]

As these are age restricted complexes within the community, different societies have set up a different criterion for senior apartments. Basically, these people are served to live in senior apartments:

  • Those looking for zero home maintenance.
  • The recently divorced people
  • Those who want to travel freely without worrying about their property
  • Those who want to live closer to their friends and family
  • Those looking for an affordable apartment with no property taxes, maintenance, or upkeeping.

Types of Senior Apartments[ii]

There are generally three categories of senior living apartments depending on the cost. These are affordable, market rate, and luxury apartments.

  • Affordable senior living apartments will let a senior renter to pay no more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities.
  • Market rate senior apartments are offered at regular market rate. They vary only by 15 percent from regular apartments. These usually offer amenities such as community dining, housekeeping and transportation facility.
  • Luxury apartments are located in cities. They are up to 2,000 square feet, and provide additional amenities like spas, salon, 24/7 medical service for the residents.

Amenities provided in senior apartments

Amenities generally vary from one society to another but basic amenities common to all senior apartments are:

  • One and Two bedrooms
  • Private or shared apartments option
  • fully furnished apartments
  • walk-in showers with safety features
  • climate control
  • Community dining rooms with 2-3 meals a day
  • Smoke detectors, fire alarms and sprinklers
  • Laundry facility

Other amenities offered may include:

  • pharmacy with delivery facility
  • Recreational activities including walking, Tai Chi, yoga, and tours
  • Transportation
  • Housekeeping
  • 24-hour emergency service
  • 24-hour emergency staff

Senior Apartment Costs

The costs of senior apartments vary greatly depending on the location as well as amenities offered. Buying or renting an apartment will affect the costs.

Low-Income Apartments for Seniors

State agencies determine the guidelines for low-income apartments for the adults. They are also known as HUD-sponsored senior housing, and these senior apartments include:

  • Private apartments with minimum rent rates for seniors
  • Apartments in public housing reserved for low-income senior citizens

Pros and cons of senior apartments

 

Pros of Living in senior apartments Cons of Living in senior apartments
Live among likeminded people Communities could be too mature
Shared interest in activities Exposure to a smaller group of people
A quieter living place Could be too quiet, or slow paced for some people
planned daily activities and events There may be established norms that could be challenging to move with
less traffic, depending on street/community layout Smaller pool of buyers for reselling
resort-style amenities like pools, spas, gyms, tennis, golf, workshops, etc. . . residents may feel they’re spending money for amenities that they don’t use
sense of safety Some people may not like restrictions
Restrictions on pets or on visits by the relatives  

 

How to find and where to find senior apartments:

Search for your residential state or where you want to live to find an affordable apartment using this resource provided by HUD for apartments for elderly residents. Seniors will be provided with a complete list of all of the HUD-sponsored apartments in the state and their contact information alongwith the detail of the number of apartments reserved for elders. Once you find a senior apartment suited to tour needs, then contact the concerned office to book your senior apartment. Most of the senior apartments listed may be occupied and applicants are placed on a waiting list. You will have to wait for your turn until you are homeless or live-in underprivileged conditions. Then you will have to complete all of the paperwork and submit all the required documents for immediate processing to get senior low-income apartment.

[i] https://www.seniorliving.org/apartments/

[ii] https://blog.stacksource.com/what-does-senior-housing-mean-8f17c8a52e0