| As we all age and approach our retirements most of | | | | affiliated with a health care provider that visits the |
| us look to change our living arrangements to reflect | | | | site to provide assistance and related services such |
| our senior status and our changing suite of needs and | | | | as counseling or physiotherapy to those residents in |
| requirements. Once we stop working we start to | | | | need. |
| look at how we intend to spend our retirement, | | | | Whilst it is typical that the residents purchase their |
| particularly what activities and hobbies we intend to | | | | own housing within the complex there are some |
| pursue. We also consider our living arrangements and | | | | facilities that offer long term rental plans. Along with |
| often take the opportunity to downsize our suburban | | | | the purchase of the housing there are regular |
| homes and relocate to more appropriate | | | | monthly payments required to contribute towards |
| accommodation, whist still maintaining our | | | | the services offered by the facility as well as for the |
| independence. | | | | upkeep and maintenance of common property and |
| There are literally tens of thousands of independent | | | | facilities such as gardens and swimming pools. Often, |
| senior housing projects that we can move to, each | | | | if the resident requires daily health care or home |
| offering the senior citizens alternative living | | | | assistance such as housework, meal preparation, |
| arrangements, either as couples or as individuals. | | | | personal care, shopping or transportation then these |
| These facilities have been specifically designed with | | | | services are provided on a user pays basis. |
| the resident's needs in mind and often provide a | | | | The most positive aspect of an independent senior |
| range of services, including health and related support | | | | housing facility is that it provides senior citizens the |
| services. | | | | opportunity to live independently and not have to |
| Many of the independent senior housing facilities are | | | | rely on others for their welfare until it is actually |
| designed to allow the residents to maintain their | | | | required. As a senior citizen, the selection of the type |
| individualistic lifestyles whilst at the same time | | | | of community housing that you want will ultimately |
| providing a level of security that they may not | | | | depends on the lifestyle you intend to lead, together |
| otherwise be able to enjoy in a typical home. These | | | | with the range of services you require in order to live |
| housing communities draw their residents based on | | | | comfortably as well as maintaining your health. |
| the type of services offered, thus allowing the | | | | Additionally, your financial situation has a large |
| occupants the option of choosing whether or not he | | | | influence as to the affordability of which senior |
| or she wants to participate in the services or | | | | housing projects you are able to move to. |
| programs offered by the facility. | | | | If you are approaching retirement age and feel that |
| Typically these housing communities revolve around | | | | this style of living arrangement is what you are |
| specific activities or services such as swimming pools, | | | | looking for then it is in your best interest to start |
| gymnasiums or maybe bike and walking paths. | | | | researching the independent senior housing |
| Additionally they make offer facilities such as day | | | | communities that are located near to you. Visit the |
| spas, chapels, beauty salons, retail shops as well as | | | | facilities and ask them to provide full details of the |
| libraries. There are many that incorporate a central | | | | costs involved so that you can determine which are |
| dining room which allow residents the opportunity to | | | | best suited to your needs for now and in the future, |
| have prepared meals as well as providing interaction | | | | as you age and require additional assistance from a |
| with fellow lodgers. A number of housing communities | | | | health and ongoing care perspective. |
| offer in-house health services, or they may be | | | | |