There are some other choices for independent living that take on a whole new and different approach to idea of initially living and aging in place.  Independent living facilities can be very much like nice hotels.  You find an apartment size that you like, at a rate you can afford, you rent it and move in, just as you would for a long-stay at a hotel.  Most rental agreements are month to month with an annual lease agreement.  That means you can lock in the rental rate for a year, and pay monthly rent.  Should you leave, it usually requires 30-day notice, and if there was a move-in fee, you may forfeit that amount if you leave before your annual agreement is completed.  Be aware, rents do tend to go up annually, as costs of operations for the facility are passed along to the residents.

So what do some of these very nice independent living facilities provide you?  For one, you live in your own apartment with your own kitchen, and your furniture.  Most facilities include in the monthly rent service of one meal per day, usually dinner, but it can be lunch.  Some also offer a continental breakfast and perhaps other amenities.  You may make your other meals in your apartment, dine out, or pay the additional charge and request to dine at the facility.

Typically, facility housekeeping will launder your towels and bed linens as part of their weekly service, make up your bed with fresh linens and provide you with weekly cleaning service.  You may request to have your personal laundry items washed, usually for an additional charge, or you may do you own laundry using the washer/dryer equipment available to all residents of the facility. Keep in mind; this is very much like living in a hotel with some services included in your monthly rate. They are all different, so ask about what’s important to you.

There are always activities available, and you are free to participate or not.  All facilities offer some form of residents parking, but it’s not always covered. Facilities permit residents to keep their personal vehicles on site, and in addition, most have their own transportation available to residents.  Town cars or small buses are scheduled to take residents to and from doctor appointments within a certain geographic area, to grocery shopping and to local banks – all as part of their total service offerings.  In some cases, facilities will offer their town cars or limos for personal services outside the normal travel range, but there is usually a charge for such service, and advance reservations are needed.

Some facilities provide a local branch bank office in their buildings with limited hours for the convenience of the residents for check cashing and to conduct bank business.  Most facilities have a person on staff that acts as the Concierge or activities director, who can help with planning and organizing for the wants and needs of the residents.  Many also have a wellness center for basic health care issues like blood pressure and small wound care, but there is a fee for these services.

Some of the biggest reasons many seniors choose this approach to housing is that it is affordable, virtually all your needs can be met through available services, it offers socialization, yet you can retain your privacy, and it is a safe and secure environment with no home maintenance cares or costs.  And in most, but not all cases, independent living facilities also have assisted living apartments and an entirely new level of personal care available.  We’ll talk more about that in our next article in this series.

Here’s the bottom line on Independent living – it’s just that, independent.  Whether it be a planned community or facility, be sure you know what you want, and look toward the future to plan for those needs as well.  Don’t want to move again, look for an independent facility with an assisted living level of care available.

The idea here is to make your life as you continue to age less stressful and more convenient.  While age 75 may be the new 65, the needs of each of us, over time, will continue to increase, and how you plan and invest for your housing future can go a long way to reducing those concerns when the time comes that you need some assistance.  That’s when you’ll be glad you thought and planned ahead for your housing future.

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For information about personal appearances, speaking engagements, broadcast or print media interviews, book availability and in-person book signings, please contact Ron via email at drron407@bellsouth.net, or by phone at 561-626-4481. Website: www.seniorlifestyles.net.