Choosing Where to live
Some people dream of spending their retirement in a community of peers where they can enjoy readily available access to a variety of social, cultural and fitness activities. Others may love the idea of moving to a smaller home that is easier to manage and take care of while surrounded by similar residences with……. The common denominator in both visions: Self-sufficiency.
Our Freedom Home program offers active adults and seniors the freedom to be self-sufficient in their own home, not a compact apartment, with all of the features they are accustomed to having. Our Independent Living is not just limited to communities with only seniors, but all age communities that allow you to feel young and vibrant while socializing with seniors as well as neighbors of all ages.
What is Independent Living for Seniors?
Among the many senior housing options available, Independent Living provides the greatest versatility and freedom. Independent Living for seniors typically refers to residence in a compact, easy-to-maintain, private apartment or house within a community of seniors. Any housing arrangement designed exclusively for seniors (generally those age 55+; in some cases the age requirement is 62+) may be classified as an Independent Living community.
Independent Living for seniors is also known as:
- Retirement Communities
- Retirement Homes
- Senior Apartments
- Senior Housing
- Independent Living Communities.
Independent Living is just that – the ability to maintain one's residence and lifestyle without custodial or medical assistance. If custodial or medical care becomes necessary, residents in Independent Living for seniors are permitted to bring in outside services of their choice.
The key characteristics of Senior Independent Living include:
- Activities of Daily Living (dressing, personal care)
- No assistance provided
- Community Activities (social events, outings, golf, etc.)
- Some assistance offered
- Community Services (laundry, cleaning, etc.)
- Many services provided
- Health Services (medication, nursing care)
- None provided
- Environment (personal freedom)
- Residents are independent
Independent Living vs. Assisted Living or Congregate Housing
Seniors who opt for Independent Living must be able to manage their home and personal needs on their own. By contrast, those residents living in an Assisted Living facility require and receive some custodial care, such as help with bathing, dressing, grooming, and eating. Medical care is limited. CCRC’s allow for independent living in separate houses or apartments, with the addition of both custodial (Assisted Living) care and medical (Nursing Home) care as necessary. CCRC residents can move back and forth between various facilities in the same general location as their needs for care change over time. Unlike CCRC’s, Independent Living is entirely separate from nursing homes or assisted living facilities which may be quite a distance away from the independent living community.
Good Candidates for Independent Living
- Seniors who are healthy and able to care for themselves;
- Desire self-sufficient, independent living;
- Require the security to be found in a seniors-only community;
- No longer want to maintain a house;
- Prefer to live among their peers;
- Can communicate with doctors and caregivers by themselves, or with the help of family or friends, but without the help of trained, onsite staff;
- Have enough money to pay for the kind of home they are looking for and/or can be satisfied with subsidized housing.
- If a senior needs occasional personal or medical care, they must be able to bring in health care providers from outside the community.
Types of Independent Living Options Available
We feel Freedom Home offers the best features and amenities at the lowest price – half of typical independent living facilities. The physical structure of Independent Living facilities is quite diverse. The available communal space depends on the individual Independent Living community. Some provide only a small communal sitting room while others may have entire community centers that include dining rooms and recreational facilities. Most Independent Living units include small kitchens and a communal dining area. The cost of the facility reflects the amount of community space and its designated use. Freedom Home offers modern manufactured homes in meticulously maintained communities.
The advantages are:
- 1st floor living
- Single level living
- Full-sized kitchen and baths
- Private drive/Parking at your door
- No additional costs for 2nd person
- Pets welcome
- 360 degree window views
- All the home conveniences you are accustomed to
The most common types of Independent Living communities for seniors are:
- Senior apartments
- Low-income housing
- Retirement communities
Senior Apartments
Senior apartments are apartment complexes restricted by age, usually 55+. Some senior apartments are converted private homes or converted apartment complexes.
When senior complexes are constructed or remodeled from existing structures, assistive technologies such as handrails and pullcords are often built in as an added value for seniors.
Some senior apartment complexes provide community services such as recreational programs, transportation services, and meals in a communal dining room.
Low-Income Housing
Many senior apartment complexes are subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Because these apartments are usually rented at below-market rates, waiting lists can take years to turn over.
Retirement Communities
Retirement communities are groups of homes or condominiums that are restricted to seniors age 55 and over (or in some cases, 62+). Retirement communities may be:
- Single-family or attached homes
- Mobile or manufactured homes
- Cluster housing
- Standard subdivisions
Depending on the particular community, residents may lease or buy their housing unit. Some senior communities are enormous, with residents numbering in the thousands. Others have only a few hundred residents. Again, the services and shared facilities vary.
Freedom Home - Manufactured Home Communities
A manufactured home community is special type of community where affordable manufactured homes are offered. A manufactured house is a low-cost option for housing. Today’s manufactured homes are of high-quality and allow for customizations for senior citizens.
Bertakis Development offers Michigan manufactured home communities for seniors and Texas manufactured home communities. Packages are available for seniors for home maintenance, lawn care and health care.