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If you’re a retiree, you might be facing the dilemma of choosing what’s best for your future. After working hard for years throughout your life, you may be looking for some peace and tranquility, while also being able to enjoy the perks of having free time doing new and exciting activities. Quite often 55+ retirees are indecisive about which options suit them best. One can be living in an independent community, and another in an Active Adult Community. But, what are the differences between these two? Let’s check them out.
An independent living community often offers you a place to live, with the added convenience of services such as housekeeping, prepared meals and transportation. It generally involves a campus with apartment buildings, town homes, a restaurant and other facilities and lots of social activities. The options vary from private homes to conjoined apartments. The emphasis is on maintaining a certain degree of independence, but with the necessary assistance to cope with the day-to-day activities. Here are some types of independent communities:
Retirement Homes or Retirement Communities
The perks of a retirement home or community is the 24/7 service and presence of staff, with the benefit of having social and educational activities. However, due to these extra services, the monthly costs tend to be higher than other types of independent living or in contrast to an active adult community.
Senior apartments are pretty similar to retirement communities. The difference is they lack the constant presence of a team built for the necessities of the retirees. Hence, the activities do differ from the scenario above, but you can still engage in social and communal activities. These apartments are also built to suit the needs of the retirees such as disability-accessible accommodations for those who use a wheelchair or walker.
This is a type of community where you can live in a peaceful neighborhood, with a beautiful house and lawn, with the heavy maintenance being taken care of while being able to enjoy common areas such as a clubhouse. There, you can interact with neighbors and enjoy a sense of community. So far, it seems it’s not that different from an independent living community. So, what are the details?
Active Adult Communities offer a less radical change of lifestyle. You still get to interact with people who enjoy the same things that you do, but with your own private space and at your own pace. Because there is not a 24/7 staff living with you, you get to set your own rhythm and your own activities. And if you care about having an active social life, the possibilities are endless because there are plenty of activities such as golfing, swimming, book clubs and more. You get to choose!
Another very important difference is the price. Because these communities are set for 55+ retirees, there are no schools and less government services which lower the overall cost of living in these particular areas. Furthermore, the fact you get to live at your own place means less staff, and so fewer living expenses. You should bear in mind though that these kinds of communities do not necessarily offer healthcare services or have health centers nearby.
Being in contact with nature is not only great for your health because of fresh, unpolluted air, but also offers you the possibility of doing sports and traveling around to see the beautiful landscapes in the area. This is not an inherent characteristic of Independent Living Communities, which generally lack natural settings.
One thing is certain. An active adult community has the extra advantage of being contained in an engaging environment. Making the important decision of what to do with your future is not always easy, but if this kind of easy-going, adventurous lifestyle is your thing, look no further.
Ask for a consultation to see our communities and get to know everything about their benefits.