By doing the right research, low cost senior apartments may be found in the areas you desire.
Relocating or changing homes as a senior is a significant move from both literal and emotional perspectives. The process involves some of the more important decisions you or your elderly loved ones make, especially during retirement years. Monthly budget is always a consideration, as are comfort and the safety of everyone in your household. Senior apartments, as well as other senior living options, are all built with your needs and concerns as an individual of retirement age in mind.
There are multiple types of senior housing options from which to choose. Apartments, assisted living facilities for people with medical needs and full-blown luxury senior communities are all available. Affordable price ranges starting around $400 for certain senior living options do exist. Read on for tips about finding senior housing online, the various types of senior living options available and how much they each cost.
How to Find Senior Apartments Near You
There are numerous helpful ways to find senior apartments near you when using the internet. The ability to find low-cost senior housing is often only a few clicks away when accessing the best online resources available. How do you know which available online resources are the best and most reliable?
Well-known and common search engines are great places to start your search for senior apartments. The most commonly used search engine is Google, although Yahoo! also has a fairly popular search feature. Microsoft Bing is yet another search engine able to help you find senior apartments. Entering the search topic “senior apartments,” followed by your zip code in any of those common search engines pulls up a significantly large amount of viable results. Following the links from those results helps focus in on your search more directly.
There are also many online directories and additional search engines created specifically to help find senior apartments near you. SeniorLiving.org has a comprehensive senior apartments directory available. Many apartment finder websites also have links to local move in specials or rent deals. Its easily possible to find local apartments that offer your first or even your first two months free. Be sure to check for deals whenever you check apartment listings. Other websites with search directories for all types of senior housing, including senior apartments are:
Are you looking for senior apartments on a low budget? Your local Social Services office is able to help you find great apartments for low-income budgets. The Social Services program is run through each individual U.S. state and is there to provide guidance, information and potential financial assistance to low-income seniors relocating to senior apartments.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a non-profit and nonpartisan organization created to support and advocate for retired U.S. citizens. The AARP is another valuable resource for finding senior apartments, and various other living options for seniors as well. Take advantage of free AARP senior living option resources by clicking here.
Types of Senior Housing Available
There are numerous types of senior housing options available and all serve different purposes and lifestyle needs. Senior apartments are available as single units and also in multiple unit building complexes. Assisted living serves the needs of seniors needing assistance with medical or other daily issues. Nursing homes are available for seniors with more serious medical conditions or other disabilities. In contrast, full-blown luxury senior communities exist for people 55+ who are still highly independent and enjoying their golden years.
Senior apartments are built for people who are still mostly independent but enjoy the close proximity of other seniors their age. Most senior apartment complexes do not have medical staff on the premises, but in-home medical care and assistance is frequently used. Conveniently located near public transportation, senior apartments allow residents to quickly access local medical facilities, restaurants, shopping districts, grocery stores and more. Senior apartment complexes are sometimes owned as cooperatives, with ownership and maintenance expenses shared by all the residents in an effort to reduce individual monthly expenses.
Assisted living facilities house senior residents who still have some independence, but also need more daily assistance with medical or routine concerns than fully independent people. The goals of assisted living facilities are to keep residents safe and comfortable while tending to needs they can no longer successfully manage themselves. Staff is on-site every hour of each day, even if not actually needed 24/7. Assisted living facilities also offer group games, group dining, on-site pharmacy services and medical/physical fitness activities.
Nursing homes are set up for residents requiting full-time assistance and care. Seniors in nursing homes generally suffer from serious medical, mental or other conditions, which significantly limit their independence and safety if left home alone. Staff on-site is highly trained and service provided in nursing homes is similar to that provided in hospitals, albeit with a more home-like approach.
Full-blown luxury senior communities exist for independent 55+ residents. Amenities in luxury senior communities are similar to those available in life outside the communities. Once unique difference is the amenities only being available to residents and their approved guests. Golf courses, horseback trails, bingo halls, dinner halls, shopping centers, swimming pools and more are all found in these wonderful communities. Regulations about noise, parking, guests landscaping and more are all in place to assure the most peaceful, comfortable and safe living environment possible.
Senior Housing Prices Starting from $400
Low-income seniors are possibly able to have rent prices subsidized through government programs such as HUD or the use of Housing Choice Vouchers or low-income housing tax credits. Church-based organizations such as the Good Samaritan Society and National Church Residences also offer limited assistance for low-income seniors in need of new housing. For seniors with higher incomes or those ineligible for government assistance, affordable senior living options do exist.
Prices for senior apartments are available from $400/month and up. These prices sometimes include utilities, but not always. Nursing home expenses average $132 each day. This equates to $4,000/month or $48,000/year. Average assisted living costs in the U.S. range from $30,000 to $80,000 per year, approximately. Medicaid or Medicare both do not pay for long-term assisted living expenses. Therefore, expect to pay a median average of $4,051 per month, out of pocket. This amount varies up or down depending on the type of amenities and service required by each resident.
Pricing for 55+ luxury senior communities varies greatly with the geographical location of the community and amenities each one provides. Full-blown luxury senior communities have entry fees, in addition to monthly fees. Location has a huge impact on pricing. Leisure World Seal Beach, located in Seal Beach, CA near the Pacific Ocean, lists homes from $155,000+ to $500,000+. Cornwall Manor, however, located in small-town area of Pennsylvania and surrounded by quiet farmland, lists starting entry fees from as low as $62,000. Some areas have Luxury apartments that run for as little as $500 a month. While not a guaranteed price, searching through local deals and apartment listing sites can be a great way to find prices in your range. Luxury senior communities also charge for upgrades to services provided. For example, the monthly charges for some communities include the use of community golf courses. Others charge for such a privilege, etc. There are also lifestyle packages, which cost various prices based on included amenities. Finally, there are different types, styles and sizes of luxury homes, all of which are priced accordingly.