A Guide to Buddhist Assisted Living
Date Published: September 9, 2023
In retirement, many seniors embrace the opportunity for personal growth and discovery. A Buddhist assisted living community provides a nurturing environment where you can explore your spirituality or find a deeper connection to your faith. Surrounded by like-minded individuals, you can enjoy a retirement where those beliefs are supported.
One study found that 1% of Americans are Buddhist, and the most recent Religious Landscape Study suggests that 37% of these people are baby boomers and members of the Silent Generation. If you’re one of the country’s older Buddhists, you may be wondering if Buddhist assisted living is an option. Although limited when compared to communities affiliated with other faiths, Buddhist senior living options are out there. This guide has information on what you can expect in a Buddhist assisted living community and tips on finding the right one for you.
What Is Buddhist Assisted Living?
Buddhist assisted living offers care centered on Buddhist values. Although there are many schools of Buddhist thought, assisted living is based on practices that are common to all. Buddhist communities offer the time and space for contemplation, and caregivers offer support to seniors who wish to deepen their practice.
Buddhism’s focus on mindfulness brings an added dimension to aged care. Known as contemplative care, this approach focuses on turning towards sickness and aging rather than fighting against it. This allows seniors to focus on their quality of life and lets caregivers bring compassion, beauty and dignity to residents’ final years.
How Is Buddhist Assisted Living Different from Regular Assisted Living?
Buddhist assisted living offers all the same care as secular assisted living. However, the activities and amenities provided aim to build a culture centered on Buddhist traditions. These can include:
- A holistic approach to care
- Meditation spaces
- Mindfulness, yoga and tai chi classes
- Dharma discussion groups
- Vegetarian meal options
- Volunteer opportunities
- Visits from spiritual teachers
What Are The Benefits of Buddhist Assisted Living?
Seniors have access to many benefits by living in a Buddhist senior community. These include:
- Community aligned with your values: These communities frequently provide vegetarian meals and have strong environmental credentials in accordance with the Buddhist ideal of avoiding harm.
- Meditation spaces: Meditation rooms and places of beauty provide space to contemplate life and find inner calm.
- Opportunities for dharma: Talking about Buddha’s teachings is an integral part of Buddhist practice. These communities provide ample opportunities to study and come to a deeper understanding of dharma.
- Surrounded by like-minded people: Others in the community share your beliefs and values and encourage your spiritual journey.
- Care that supports your beliefs: The compassionate care provided in Buddhist senior living supports the ideas of acceptance, compassion and mindfulness.
Tips for Finding a Buddhist Senior Living Community
Finding a senior living community with the services, amenities and cultures you’re looking for can be difficult. The following tips can help you find Buddhist senior living options so you can start your search.
- Contact national Buddhist organizations: National Buddhist organizations may be able to provide you with the names of senior living communities that follow their traditions.
- Ask for recommendations: Talk to friends and family who share your faith and see if they know of any Buddhist senior communities.
- Research online: An internet search for Buddhist assisted living communities can provide a list of options in your area.
- Check with your local Buddhist center: Buddhist centers know about resources in the local area and may be able to point you in the right direction.
What To Look For in a Buddhist Senior Living Community
When you have a list of possible Buddhist senior living communities, you can arrange a visit and get a feel of the atmosphere. Use the checklist below to get an idea of questions that can help you narrow down your options.
How Much Does Buddhist Assisted Living Cost?
According to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Living Survey, assisted living in the United States costs an average of $4,500 per month. Costs can differ greatly depending on where you live. For example, in Missouri the monthly median is just $3,000 per month, while in Alaska that figure rises to $6,830. Buddhist senior living costs are comparable to secular assisted living averages, though prices may be slightly higher in either type if there’s a lot of specialized programming.
Financial Assistance for Buddhist Assisted Living
Financial assistance is available for seniors who are unable to pay out of pocket. Health insurance, including Medicare, rarely pays for assisted living, but other government options, including Medicaid and VA benefits, may pay for some or all of the costs involved. You can also use long-term care insurance to pay for assisted living. In addition to these options, seniors may be able to access help from Buddhist charities.
Coverage
Contact
Doesn’t cover long-term assisted living care. It may cover short-term care in a nursing home after a qualifying hospital stay.
(800) 633-4227
Administered by states, so exact benefits differ. In many areas, assisted living and long-term care is provided through waiver programs.
Financial assistance available includes health care and pensions. Aid and Attendance benefits can help pay for senior living for eligible veterans.
(800) 698-2411
Long-term care insurance reimburses a daily amount of money for personal care. You may not be able to purchase a policy if you’re unwell, already receiving long-term care or above a certain age.
Speak directly to insurance companies
Buddhist Senior Living Communities
Below you can view descriptions of a few of the Buddhist senior living communities in the United States. While all communities differ, Buddhist senior living options typically offer spiritually-focused and Zen-inspired living.
Name
Address
Phone Number
Description
435 Allan Court, Healdsburg, CA 95448
(707) 756-5036
Enso Village Preview Center welcomes seniors of all faiths and beliefs who are interested in living in an ecologically conscious and Zen-inspired community. Dedicated spaces such as a tearoom, a Zendo meditation hall, a yoga room, courtyards, a memorial grove and over two miles of tranquil walking trails all contribute to a resident's well-being. Seniors enjoy chef-prepared meals made with produce grown on campus or purchased from nearby farms.
3121 Fruitvale Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602
(415) 840-6719
Elder Ashram is a religious retreat-style community for seniors who wish to achieve spiritual growth. Regular workshops such as Awakening the Sage Within assist residents with this journey. It offers private and semiprivate apartments and provides respite, hospice and permanent stay care. Services such as laundry, housekeeping, incontinence care and medication management are available. It also offers the Specialized Forgetfulness Program for dementia and Alzheimer's care and GeroWellness programs to keep residents active.
477 East 40th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97405
(541) 246-9388
Located in Eugene, OR, Saraha Nyingma Buddhist Institute offers spirituality focused education and care at its Buddhist Home. Compassionate caretakers seek to alleviate mental suffering and assist residents to follow Buddhist teachings as well as ensuring all practical needs, such as nutrition and housing, are met. The institute's temple offers Buddhist resources, meditation sessions and rituals that mark key events on the Tibetan Buddhist calendar.
Resources for Buddhist Seniors
Buddhist seniors have access to a wide range of government and nonprofit resources to help them as they age.
Resource
Contact
Description
(415) 776-5600
An organization of Shin Buddhist communities in the United States. It can connect you with spiritual support in local temples throughout the country. In addition, its website hosts a range of teachings, pamphlets and courses to deepen the understanding of Buddhism.
Buddhist Centers
Contact local organizations
Many major cities have Buddhist centers that offer meditation classes, retreats and spiritual guidance. There isn’t a single organization, but centers in your local area can help you on your path.
(888) 998-6325
Delivers healthy, nutritious meals to homebound seniors. Meals are often designed to meet the tastes and needs of local seniors, including vegetarian options. In addition, participants receive a regular check-in when volunteers deliver meals.
(800) 772-1213
Seniors who are eligible can access retirement or disability benefits through the SSA. Some states supplement Social Security payments, and this money can be used to pay for assisted living.
AAAs are located throughout the country. They have experts available who can refer seniors to local resources and help people apply for benefits. Offices also provide a range of other services depending on the needs of locals, such as transportation and home care.
(800) 829-1040
A federal income tax credit of between $3,750 and $7,500 may be available to eligible seniors.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Buddhist senior living community provides care, including assisted living and memory care, to older adults. The care is centered on Buddhist values and offers practices common to all Buddhist traditions, such as meditation, mindfulness and dharma discussions.
Buddhist senior living centers are often operated by charities or nonprofit groups. Some are owned by groups that have no affiliation with Buddhism. However, Buddhist centers and organizations are opening more of these homes across the country.
Seniors who wish to retire to a community that shares their values should have the opportunity to do so. The focus on mindfulness and meditation in Buddhist senior living communities offers a path of acceptance to many seniors looking for a more contemplative approach to aging.
Buddhist senior living is built around Buddhist values of compassion, truth and mindfulness. It offers activities and amenities that support seniors’ religious convictions, such as meditation, dharma discussion groups and vegetarian dining. Care aligns with the philosophy of approaching aging with grace and dignity.