Independent Living

Housing for seniors that allows independence.

Independent living is a general name for any housing arrangement designed exclusively for seniors. Other terms include retirement communities, retirement homes, senior housing and senior apartments. These may be apartment complexes, condominiums or even free-standing homes. In general, the housing is friendlier to older adults—it’s more compact, easier to navigate and includes help with outside maintenance. Sometimes recreational centers or clubhouses are also available on site.

You may want to consider independent living if:

• You see needing only minor assistance with activities of daily living
• You’d like a place that does not require a lot of maintenance and upkeep
• You like the idea of socializing with peers and having activity options nearby

If you don’t want to live exclusively with others your own age, there are alternatives to an independent living community. You can consider moving in with a family member, or simply moving to a more accessible apartment or condo. The key is being in an area with good access to transportation, services and social networks.