When it comes to senior living and housing communities, there are a number of options, ranging from 55 and older and continuing care retirement communities to assisted living, nursing homes, and beyond. While an aging adult’s needs and support levels are big deciding factors, one option that provides both independence and amenities that cater to older adults is senior living apartments.
More hands-off than assisted living and nursing homes, senior apartments allow residents to continue to lead independent lives and live within a community at the same time. These apartment facilities offer their residents activities to keep them healthy and socially active.
What are senior apartments?
Senior apartments are residential housing units specifically designed for older adults, typically aged 55 and older.
The idea behind these apartments is independent living: allowing residents to carry on an active, self-sufficient lifestyle. Unlike assisted living and nursing homes, they don’t come with on-site medical facilities or care staff.
Senior apartment living will look a little different at each complex, but typically they offer features and amenities that cater to the lifestyle of older adults. These may include social settings where residents can spend time with those of similar ages and interests, transportation, planned activities and meals that can be enjoyed together as a group. Additionally, most senior apartments are equipped with private full kitchens.
They’re also designed with accessibility in mind, including ramps, handrails and other features to help those with limited mobility.
Some senior apartments make a great option for couples, too. Rules differ from one facility to the next, but there’s generally a minimum age of 55+, 60+ or 65+. As long as both of them meet the age requirement, up to two seniors are generally permitted to live in a senior apartment together.
What amenities come with senior apartment living?
Senior apartments vary in size and in the amenities offered, but on the whole, they’re community-based, so their facilities are built around just that.
This includes communal spaces for group activities, such as tai-chi, game nights and gardening, that bring seniors together at a time in their lives where many people feel isolated or lose their sense of self.
Other amenities that may be offered with senior apartment living include:
- Wheelchair-accessible units.
- Grab bars in bathrooms.
- Easy-to-reach light switches and outlets.
- Lever-style door handles.
- Secure entrance and exit.
- 24-hour security or staff presence.
- Access to emergency call systems to summon help.
- Recreation centres for planned social events and activities.
- Transportation options.
- Walking paths or trails.
- Swimming pools.
- Exercise centres.
- Tennis and pickleball courts.
- Housekeeping.
- Meal service options.
- Laundry rooms.
- Full kitchens.
- Congregate dining, restaurant-style.
Living in a senior apartment means that residents get to keep their independence, but they also have a host of services available to meet their needs.
Does senior apartment living provide transportation?
Many senior apartments provide transportation services for their residents, though the availability and extent of the service can vary. (It’s also worth noting that, in many senior apartments, residents can have their own car.) These are often scheduled services offering rides to shopping malls, doctor’s appointments and community events. The vehicles may be wheelchair-accessible and offer special assistance for those who require it.
How do senior apartments differ from assisted living and nursing homes?
Simply put, senior apartments are designed for independent living while assisted living and nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities, are set up for individuals who need higher levels of assistance and care for daily living.
While senior apartments cater to those who are generally self-sufficient and don’t require day-to-day assistance, assisted living communities maintain a level of independence for their residents while also offering support as needed. At nursing homes, there are medical staff, including registered nurses on site who can administer medications, provide medical care, and oversee rehabilitation services.
The other big difference between nursing homes and senior apartments or assisted living facilities is the level of government subsidies and costs for residents. Some nursing homes are government-subsidized, though this varies from province to province. Yet even in subsidised nursing homes, residents are usually required to contribute to their costs. Both senior apartments and assisted living, in most cases, are private pay.
Assistance is generally available to help those getting by on low incomes pay the rent for their senior apartments. The federal government provides a website with links to detailed information about senior housing programs in each province and territory.
It’s also important to note that when folks like the idea of senior apartment living, but aren’t completely independent, they can still live in one of these facilities and enlist home health care (privately) for more support, providing a balance between independence and assistance.
What are the benefits of senior apartments?
The biggest advantage of senior apartments is that they provide seniors with both services — in the form of safety, security, access to food and services, personal care and transportation — and activities where they can socialize. The result is that older adults have what they need at hand but are still able to remain in control of their lives as much as possible for as long as they can.
Put another way, these facilities take care of the boring, mundane things so that their residents have more time to enjoy themselves.
What factors should be considered when choosing a senior apartment?
First and foremost, it’s important to consider your or your loved one’s personality, likes, and dislikes when choosing a community. It’s also important to be honest and realistic about how independent the resident truly is. In some cases, your loved one may be less self-sufficient than they think and may need a bit more care and support.
If you’ve decided senior apartment living is the way to go, here’s what else to consider:
Location. Choosing the right location isn’t just about making sure your loved one is close to family and friends; it also about finding somewhere that offers the right atmosphere as well as access to essential services, such as groceries and healthcare.
Employment and Social Development Canada advises seniors and their loved ones to make sure that home support services are available nearby, should they be needed, such as home care, meal delivery services and transportation assistance, as well as community facilities like churches, libraries, hospitals and community centres.
Amenities/facilities. If you or your loved one loves swimming and pickleball, choose a place with a pool and pickleball court. Picking somewhere with the right amenities is sure to boost your happiness.
Cost. Determine your budget and work to that price point. While higher-end places with more amenities will cost more, keep in mind, you still want there to be enough money left to feel independent and keep your financial stress to a minimum. According to the Senior Housing Survey released by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) in 2021, the average cost of senior housing across Canada is $3,075, ranging from $1,922 in Quebec to $3,999 in Ontario. These figures refer to standard spaces that do not offer high-level care (defined as more than 1.5 hours per day).
Future considerations. Think beyond the now. It’s possible that a higher level of care may be needed soon, and if that’s the case, it’s important to factor in those costs in addition to the costs of the facility you choose.
The bottom line
Senior apartments are designed for independent living and community. The choice between this option and assisted living or a nursing home is dependent on a person’s health, preferences and the level of care they need.
And, for those who own their own home and have grown tired of the hard work of maintaining it, senior living options can offer a nice respite. With no more lawns to mow or walls to paint, residents have more time to kick back and enjoy life.