There are three kinds of retirement communities in the U.S. today. Active communities are those that provide residential units without healthcare facilities. Active/Supportive Communities features both residential and healthcare facilities. Supportive communities are those that primarily provide health and medical care units, like assisted living and nursing care.

 

Retirement apartments or senior apartments are part of active communities designed for the elderly wishing to live independently. Most apartments are single units, although condominium units and single detached family homes are also available. Costs ranges from $25,000 to over $500,000.

 

Though on their own, these occupants require the services of others to do maintenance and yard work. For some that need extra nursing or medical care, caregivers and nursing from the local area can be contacted. There are a lot of choices around the country for people wishing to live in this kind of community and developers devote certain areas for socialization and exercise, like golf clubs, tennis courts, hiking trails, swimming pools, exercise rooms and clubhouses There are a lot of senior apartments developed throughout the country, though those located in warmer climate are more popular and sought after. Also preferable are those close to shopping malls, parks and public transportations. To encourage economic development that goes with the building of retirement communities, states like Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Kentucky had created Certified Retirement Community programs. On the other hand, the magazine “Retirement Lifestyle” presented the top cities it considers as best for retirement. Topping the list is Chattanoga, Tennessee, followed by Natchez, Mississippi and San Antonio, Texas.

 

Retirement apartments provide its residents with safe environment and a community of neighbors that share common interests. There are even communities that provide added services like meal preparation, transportation, and recreational opportunities like organized trips to shows and casinos. Since Medicare and Medicaid do not provide any assistance for this type of living arrangement, payments for these apartments mostly come from private funds, though some are under subsidized programs like Section 8 voucher or the 202 programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. These kind of financial arrangements are usually targeted for low income elderly and have long waiting lists. Only those aged 55 and above are accepted in retirement apartments and senior communities, though there are communities, termed “Age Inclusive,” that attract retirees but do not have age requirements.

 

Retirement apartments are not under any federal or local agencies, hence, there is no formal regulation. Managing companies established the rules and day to day maintenance are done by off-site or on-site managers.