• Apartments, Independent Living

TRANSPORTATION: Transportation is a major challenge for many older adults. Residents who drive and own their own vehicles may bring them to an independent living building; most buildings provide parking and some provide garages. Many older adults, however, no longer drive, or wish to drive less, because of vision difficulties, slowed reflexes or physical challenges. We're a nation of drivers and many adults surrender their car keys, whatever the circumstances, with great reluctance. One of the greatest fears for someone who can no longer drive is that he will become dependent, but, just because someone no longer drives his own car, he does not have to depend on family to get around town. Many independent living buildings have a driver and a private car, van or small bus available to transport residents to medical appointments, shopping and recreational outings. This available transportation allows a resident to go to the grocery store, the bank, the post office or the doctor as needed. Further, it will take him to dinner or social events arranged by building staff or the residents, and he does not have to worry about finding his way, traffic jams or night driving. Independent living buildings typically have a weekly schedule for shopping trips to popular stores, such as local groceries and department stores or shopping malls, and residents sign up to go at times convenient for them. There often are certain periods during the week set aside to drive residents to doctor or other appointments, which the residents must schedule in advance. Most buildings do not charge for scheduled transportation within a certain radius of the building, for example, within 5 miles. This type of transportation is safer, less expensive (usually free) and more convenient than taking public transportation or calling a taxi. A new resident may quickly find that using building transportation meets his needs well and he no longer needs to pay for a car, maintenance, plates, insurance or gasoline. He may enjoy finally having his own chauffeur.

HOUSEKEEPING/MAID SERVICES: Most independent living buildings offer housekeeping assistance. Some include the cost in the monthly rent; others may charge a small additional fee. Some do not provide housekeeping employees, but offer the names and numbers of local maid services that work in the building. Housekeeping, depending on the resident's needs, can generally be arranged for every week, every other week, or monthly. It usually includes all the heavy cleaning (tubs, toilets, sinks, scrubbing and vacuuming floors) and the lighter cleaning, such as dusting and cleaning mirrors or glass. Many services will also change bed linens; some may wash linens and towels for residents. Most buildings also provide for trash pick-up from each apartment or from convenient centralized locations in each building. It becomes relatively painless to always have a sparkling clean apartment.

MAINTENANCE: Because the resident rents, and does not own, the apartment, she is not responsible for maintenance. If a pipe leaks, or the furnace isn't working, she only needs to call the building office for the needed repairs. Most buildings are accommodating enough to allow maintenance staff to change light bulbs that might be difficult for a resident to reach or to move furniture if the resident decides to change a room around. While many independent living apartments have patios or balconies which a resident may enjoy, and on which they may even do some container gardening, the resident does not have to cut the grass, weed the flower beds, water the lawn or shovel the snow (we don't do a lot of that in this part of Texas anyway). Many independent living buildings have lovely common areas (such as libraries, exercise rooms, swimming pools, and sitting areas) and grounds with flowers, walking paths and benches, all for residents to enjoy while someone else does all the work.

SECURITY: Most independent living buildings are secured. The buildings are locked (at least when the office staff isn't on the premises) and only residents and staff have keys. Many have buzzer or code systems that residents use to let their guests in. Most have building staff present during the day to assist residents; some have 24-hour staffing. Some buildings have "call buttons or cords" in each apartment that a resident can use to call for emergency assistance. There is also an added security in knowing other residents in the building and in the residents watching out for one another and checking on another.

MEALS: Some independent living buildings offer one or more meals per day in a communal dining room. For a resident who finds it difficult to prepare nutritious meals independently, or who is tired of cooking every day, these meals can be a great convenience. Some buildings include the cost of the offered meals in the monthly rent; many make meals optional and charge a reasonable fee for each meal. Some upscale buildings hire experienced chefs who offer restaurant-style dining to residents. Whatever system the building offers, it is generally true that individuals enjoy meals more, and eat better, when sharing meals with others.

COMPANIONSHIP AND NEW FRIENDS: Humans are social creatures, most of us enjoy the companionship of others. It is not uncommon for an older adult to become isolated in her own home, particularly if a spouse is ill or has died. Children or grandchildren can't come by every day, neighbors move away or die, the neighborhood changes and she may not feel comfortable going out or driving regularly as she used to do. She may have some mobility problems that make it difficult to get to social gatherings or church as often as she would like. Individuals who are isolated and alone much of the time may become depressed, may eat poorly, may not worry as much about the condition of the house, or about personal hygiene, as they used to, and may actually experience physical or mental declines. In a senior independent living building, residents meet people of their own age, with similar histories and experiences. It is usually easy to develop new friendships and to get involved with activities in the building. Group meals or shopping trips provide the chance to get to know other residents a little better, as do social events in the building. It is possible to see depression lessen, appetites increase and for residents to take more interest in their appearance. Sometimes romances blossom. Residents develop new hobbies and interests. The resident's apartment allows for privacy and quiet time as needed and also serves as a spot to entertain new friends. Common areas make it easy to find someone to chat with just about anytime a resident ventures out. Residents often wonder why they waited so long to move out of their houses and to get on with their lives.

PETS: Many independent living buildings permit residents to bring small pets. A building may require a pet security deposit when the resident moves in and can ask a pet, or its resident, to leave if the pet damages the building or annoys other residents.

ACTIVITIES: The activities offered by independent living buildings range widely, but there are aways activities, whether initiated by building staff or the residents themselves. Some buildings have swimming pools, or may border golf courses, with residents able to use those facilities. Many buildings offer low-stress exercise programs, for example, those with pools may offer water aerobics. Many have fitness centers with exercise equipment. Some buildings have computer centers with computers and internet access available to residents. Most buildings have libraries. Many have big-screen televisions or small movie theaters where residents gather to watch television programs or movies. Many will bring in entertainment, including local musicians, and it is a rare building that doesn't have a few musicians of its own who love to share their talents. Many buildings offer craft classes; some residents band together to do volunteer projects for the community. "Red Hat" groups are known for their ability to have a good time. Some buildings form book groups, bible study groups or groups that get together to play cards or dominoes. Some buildings have potlucks or pizza nights. Larger buildings may have resident parties, especially for the holidays. Most buildings publish a calendar of upcoming activities so residents can plan their week in advance. Some larger buildings may arrange for religious services to be held on site regularly. It is also common to see residents walking through the halls and common areas, or through the grounds, just to get a little exercise and run into a few friends.

OTHER SERVICES: While independent living buildings generally do not provide health care, the building may bring in a doctor or nurse regularly to see patients there as part of that doctor's practice, as a convenience to residents. Some banks will send a personal banker out to senior buildings regularly to serve the banking needs of residents. Many independent living buildings have a beauty salon/barber shop on site. Most have some sort of small community store that will sell items like toilet paper, deodorant, bread or snack foods to assist residents between shopping trips. Some buildings will reserve a small dining room, or even kitchen space, for residents to use if family is coming to visit so that residents have more space to entertain. Similarly, many buildings keep a furnished guest suite that residents may reserve, or rent, for visiting guests.

PAYMENT: Some individuals really like the idea of an independent living building, but experience sticker shock when they learn the monthly rental fee. It is important to keep in mind that the monthly rental covers much more than renting the apartment. It would probably be possible to rent a similarly-sized apartment in a regular apartment complex in the neighborhood for far less, but that apartment is just that, bare space in a rental building. Rent in a senior independent-living building generally includes security, transportation, housekeeping (or the availability of low-cost housekeeping services), meals in some buildings, activities and entertainment, maintenance, some or all of the utilities and all the costs that go into keeping a building for older adults safe, attractive and inviting. The rent is not just for the square footage of the apartment, it is for all the services that makes the building a comfortable environment for older adults. If an individual who is considering a move to independent living adds up what all this would cost if living in his own house (mortgage, if any, property taxes, homeowner's insurance, utilities, lawn/snow maintenance, household repairs, food, automobile or transportation expenses and insurance, maid service, the cost of going out to dinner regularly and some entertainments costs, the rent in an independent living building usually compares fairly well. Most buildings ask residents to sign a lease, but many include provisions for moving out early if the resident's health requires him or her to move. Residents generally pay rent for these buildings from their own income or savings. Because these buildings do not provide health care, neither long-term care insurance nor Medicaid is likely to contribute to rental payments for these types of buildings.

Some independent buildings, rather than charging monthly rent, may ask residents to "buy-in" or to invest in the building itself. Ask questions up front and be sure to understand all the terms of this "buy-in" before signing any papers. How much must you invest? Will you still pay rent and, if so, how much? Will you earn interest on your investment? If you decide to leave, do you get all or part of your money back, and how is that done? If the building is part of a continuing care retirement community (see our section on continuing care retirement communities for more info), will your initial investment help pay for assisted living or nursing care if you should need it later? Is the company holding the investment funds on solid financial ground? If you have an investment advisor, have him or her examine the investment before you commit. It may be a good investment for you, but get all the facts before you decide.