When the upkeep and maintenance of a single-family home gets to be too much, many empty nesters consider an independent living community. Independent living communities offer a great way for senior citizens to stay active and socially connected.
Here's what you can expect to find at one of these complexes:
Single-family homes or apartments. Some complexes have only apartments, which may range from one to three bedrooms, with one or two baths. Other complexes have single family homes, which may be stand-alone or attached to one other unit. Some communities have both.
Different payment options. At some communities, you will purchase your residence. In other cases, you will place a "deposit" on the unit, which is roughly equivalent to the value of the unit. In either case, be sure you understand what happens when you vacate the residence. Some communities do not refund the deposit, while others refund a percentage. When you buy the residence, you or your heirs will receive the purchase price when the unit is resold.
You will also pay a monthly fee for the services these communities provide.
These services often include:
Try to find a community that offers the services that you want or think you will need in the future.
Some independent living communities also offer assisted living and skilled nursing care on the same campus. These are services that are offered at additional cost, and can be expensive. If you have long term care insurance or expect to be eligible for Medicare to pay these expenses, make sure the facilities you are considering accept these payment options.
Independent living communities usually have restrictions on the age of residents, and may require that residents be retired. Some communities welcome residents over age 55, while others limit themselves to those who are at least 62 or 65. While there are sometimes accommodations for guests in these communities, those who live in them must meet the requirements set forth by the community.
Many seniors select an independent living community with the expectation that it will be the last move they make. Selecting a facility with a wide variety of activities, services and medical offerings can help make this possible. For more information, contact Brooke View or a similar location.
Share7 January 2015
Apartment living can be a trial sometimes. Even the best apartment complexes can have problems, such as noisy neighbors. I experienced this firsthand with my newest neighbors. Between their partying and trashy existence, I was ready to go crazy. Late one night when they were being particularly noisy, I started researching my rights as a tenant. I found out I did not have to live with their inconsiderate behavior. As a public service, I decided to help others through this blog with their neighbor problems. Whether you are dealing with a landlord that will not do any repairs or bad neighbors, I can help.