Community Homes For Seniors

There may be many people who think of community homes for seniors as nursing homes, or perhaps worse.  For many years, the elderly would live in the home of a family member or find themselves living in a nursing home.  In the early part of the twenty first century, more options are available for senior living.  Many of these options were not even considered as options a century ago.  

There are real estate agents who deal only in locating appropriate community homes for seniors.  There are retirement communities, congregate housing, independent living facilities and a variety of other options.  Each of these communities offers various attractions for seniors, some specifically addressing medical concerns or other social ideas.  To choose the right one, here are some ideas that you will want to keep in mind.

Congregate housing was originally considered as a government subsidized form of an Assisted Living Facility (ALF).  Over time, congregate housing grew to mean housing seniors in apartment like units.  These units would allow seniors some privacy, but would not include kitchens.  Meals would be served in a main dining hall.  Staff would be available to provide activities, housekeeping and supervise those living in one of the housing units.

Independent Living facilities are another form of community homes for seniors.  These facilities are similar to those found in congregate housing except that the individual apartments also include kitchens and are more like any apartment anywhere else.  The independent facilities also include a dining hall, for those residents who don’t want to cook.  Staff is also present to provide activities, housekeeping and other services.  Nursing staff is usually available to check on the status of the residents. 

There are also community homes for seniors that are found in senior only communities.  Some of these may be manufactured homes.  Some may be new homes that were built with a senior’s life-style in mind.  Many of these homes have floor plans that are larger than 1400 square feet. Many communities have been created that cater to the seniors and their needs.  Some community homes for seniors can be found in designated areas of larger communities. 

Retirement communities are sometimes advertised as being like resorts.  If having a home of one’s own, yet not having to mow the lawn, sweep the floors or fix things around the house sounds like a resort, then that may be the ideal community homes for seniors, at least some of them.  Many of these communities are located in the south and/or near attractions.  Different attractions will obviously attract a different kind of resident, which also helps provide the feeling that retirement living is much like a long vacation in a resort.  These homes are generally more expensive that some of the other options.

