Senior Living Guide

Senior living is a general term used to describe the spectrum of residential communities for older adults, ranging from independent, active communities to nursing homes. All types of senior living have in common that they are residential communities for aging adults. Most, but not all, types of senior living provide services like housekeeping and personal care assistance. As you move up to the higher levels of senior living, more care services are offered.

Senior living has many upsides, including: 

• Social Opportunities: Residents of senior living have a built-in community of neighbors in the same life stage, helping to prevent loneliness and boredom. 
• Activities and Transportation: The planned activities and transportation services offered in many senior living communities help residents stay active in their communities and prevent isolation. 
• Support and Assistance: Higher levels of senior living have staff on-site 24/7 to help residents with personal care services and any other needs that arise. 
• Simplified Lifestyle: Communities take care of landscaping and external maintenance, and may also offer housekeeping services. 
• Nutritious Meals: Many senior living communities offer catered meals, often prepared by professional chefs and with the nutritional needs of older adults in mind. 
• Safety and Security: Communities may have gated entrances, front desk security, cameras, and other security measures to keep residents safe. 
• Predictable Expenses: In “all-inclusive” style communities, you can pay one monthly fee for your residence, food, activities, transportation, and other services, so you can more easily budget your expenses. 

While senior living is a great choice for many older adults, it is not without its drawbacks. Some of the potential downsides of senior living include: 

• Stressful Move: Moving is a lot of work, and it can be even more difficult for older people who have spent many years accumulating possessions in their homes. 
• Adjustment Period: No matter where you move, there will always be some transition time as you get used to your new surroundings. This will be even more acute if you move to a new city or state for senior living. 
• Less Privacy: Compared to living at home, residents of senior living may have neighbors closer by and have less privacy than they’re used to. 
• Cost: Senior living can be expensive. However, there is a range of prices and financial assistance options available. 

The decision to move to senior living is personal for everyone. However, some common signs that you may benefit from senior living include: 

• You’re bored or lonely and want to meet new people in the same life stage 
• You no longer want to or are able to cook for yourself 
• You want to downsize and be free of home maintenance
• You no longer drive or think you’ll stop driving in the next couple of years 
• You take a lot of medications and want help to manage them 
• You find it difficult to shave, shower, or do other personal care activities 
• You recently fell or had another accident at home 

Continue Reading: Learn more about the signs it’s time for assisted living

Senior living can be expensive. While independent living costs often hold steady with local apartment living costs, Carescout’s 2024 data shows that other types of senior living cost a median of $6,000/month, or more. The more skilled nursing care you or your loved one need, the higher the price tag. Memory care is often the most expensive senior care for this reason.

Choosing a senior living community for yourself or a loved one is a big task. After determining which type of senior living is the best fit, you’ll want to evaluate the communities’ location, services, amenities, and reputation. To ensure you’re making an informed choice, you’ll want to look into and tour multiple communities, and finding the best ones in your target area can be a challenge. 

Caring.com’s expert Family Advisors can help you find the right senior living community for yourself or a loved one. Family Advisors provide no-cost, personalized advice and recommendations for care seekers like you. Call (800) 558-0653 to start the process of finding the right assisted living community for you. 

Continue Reading: For more detailed advice on what things to look for in a senior living community for yourself or a loved one, you can read our guide to How to Choose an Assisted Living Community