Independent Living for Seniors: How Much It Costs, Who's Eligible, and What Services Are Offered

What is Independent Living?

Independent living facilities (ILFs) are full-service communities that offer benefits such as meals in a dining area, housekeeping, transportation, and social activities. These communities simplify daily life as many day-to-day chores are handled for you.

Independent Living Accommodations

Independent living facilities typically offer a variety of options for living spaces that include studio, single, two, or three-bedroom apartments. They may also offer a cottage-style residence, similar to a house, usually on a single level and often with an attached garage.

Benefits of Independent Living

Social and Recreational Opportunities

It’s normal to feel lonely sometimes when you live alone; that’s why companionship with other seniors is an integral part of independent living facilities. Residents in independent living facilities have better opportunities to form meaningful friendships and engage in a variety of activities that appeal to their interests. From knitting to yoga to movie nights, every day brings a new chance to bond with others, make joyful memories, and learn new hobbies.

Staff Takes Care of Maintenance

Maintenance-free living is one of the greatest benefits that ILFs provide for their residents. Providing maintenance staff ensures that senior residents never have to perform any physical labor. From housekeeping to lawn mowing to making repairs, the facility staff and their contractors take care of burdensome maintenance responsibilities on behalf of residents.

Dining Services

Cooking healthy and nutritious meals takes time, so seniors often don’t want to be burdened by the preparation and cooking process. The good news is most ILFs provide three meals a day, in addition to various snacks and drinks throughout the day (all-inclusive with their monthly rate). Facilities might also arrange complimentary catering for special events and tailored food plans for tenants with dietary restrictions (food allergies, special diets, etc.).

Safe Living Conditions

Safety is a significant concern for seniors living alone. According to the CDC, three million seniors are hospitalized yearly due to injuries related to falling. Modifying their home for safety can be a tedious and costly expense. ILFs are built to accommodate the safety needs of an older population. The facilities are fitted with the infrastructure to allow for easy mobility throughout the community. Residents can also rely on personnel to help with emergency situations.

Pet Friendly

Moving into an independent living facility doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to your furry friend. Most ILFs are pet-friendly but they often have rules about how many pets you can bring, the type of pets permitted, and size restrictions. For example, some facilities may only allow cats and dogs, while others may only allow small dogs. Listings provided on After55.com include the community’s pet policy and potential fees.

Rent Is All-Inclusive

Monthly rent payments at ILFs cover everything: housing, meals, utilities, and amenities. Residents don’t have to worry about managing and paying multiple bills, which gives them more freedom to use their time for leisure, recreational activities, and social events. All-inclusive rent simplifies the rent payment process and makes it easier for the facility to provide amenities for the entire community.

Independent Living Services

While the services provided by independent living communities vary nationwide, there are several features that are offered by almost all facilities. If a facility doesn’t provide these basic services, you may want to continue searching After55.com to find a community with a more comprehensive list of features.

Usually Covered:

• 1-3 meals a day in a community dining environment: When moving to an independent living community, residents can enjoy the comfort of having meals prepared for them. The facility will prepare and serve you breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some even provide catered food for special events, like ice cream socials or pizza parties.
• Maintenance-free living:Staff members take care of everything from changing light bulbs to mowing the lawn to mopping floors and even dusting. The convenience of not having to deal with maintenance allows residents to relax and spend their time how they want.
• An emergency call system and safety features: From falls to electrical fires, there’s no way to predict when an emergency might occur. . Independent living facilities have safety features built into the infrastructure to curb potential accidents. They also have an internal emergency call system so residents can contact staff when immediate assistance, like CPR, is needed.
• Social, educational, and recreational activities: At independent living facilities, every day is an opportunity to gain new experiences and explore different activities. Interactive classes, like knitting and painting, are great for keeping the mind sharp and learning a new skill. Social events like game nights or live entertainment provide an outlet for residents to bond with their peers. Every community is different, so ask communities which activities they offer their residents.

Often Offered:

• Housekeeping services: Most facilities provide housekeeping services on behalf of their residents, regularly performing tasks like emptying the trash, sweeping, cleaning the public area bathrooms, and dusting. If there are potential safety hazards (e.g., water spills, a broken smoke alarm, etc.), residents can inform the staff for an immediate response.
• Laundry services and towels and linens: Residents can bring their own linens and towels, but many independent living facilities provide complimentary linens that are washed regularly. They may even offer laundry services, ensuring seniors don’t have to do it themselves. The facility staff might also accommodate your health concerns if you’re sensitive to specific cleaning chemicals.
• Transportation for shopping and community-planned outings: Independent living facilities make life easier for residents, with transportation services being a key component. Most ILFs provide seniors complimentary transportation for shopping and errands. If a resident has their own car, a staff member may drive them around in the comfort of their own vehicle.

Not Included:

• Concierge services or guest services. Most ILSs don’t provide personal assistance with daily living activities, such as bathing and grooming. Home services can be arranged and brought in by residents who pay their provider directly.
• Medical or nursing care.

What if you want assistance?

Independent living facilities are ideal for those who don’t need help performing daily living activities because most communities do not offer medical care or nursing staff. However, having the capability to live independently is not a requirement for residency.

If you need assistance and choose to reside in an independent living community, you will have to make your own arrangements for medical or nursing care and any help with day-to-day activities unless such assistance is provided for all residents.

If you want daily living assistance (with bathing, dressing, mobility, etc.) provided by the community staff, then an assisted living community might be a better option for you.

Independent Living Costs

Independent living costs range from $1,400 to $6,600 a month, depending on the state. Costs vary widely by community and are based on location, size of the apartment or cottage, and the amenities offered.

Sometimes pricing is also affected by a second-person fee, non-refundable entrance fee, or community fee. Second-person fees are common because the property offers additional services and absorbs those expenses.

Payment methods for independent living

Because there is little need for daily task support or medical assistance, independent living is one of the most affordable senior living options available. But choosing the ILF that’s right for you or your senior loved one means finding a community that fits within your long-term budget. Even though independent living facilities only accept private pay, there are several ways to pay for residency, such as:

• Personal funding: Most residents cover their independent living costs with personal funds, like retirement income, savings, or investment gains.
• Long-term care insurance: This type of insurance may pay for expenses like meals, transportation, and housekeeping. However, long-term care insurance usually won’t cover all your independent living costs.
• Life insurance: If you sell your life insurance policy for a profit, you may be able to use the money to help fund some of your independent living costs.
• Home or property equity: Some residents own a home or property before deciding to move into an independent living facility. Whether you sell or rent the property, you can use the income to fund your independent living care. You can even convert the equity of a reverse mortgage into funding to cover the ILF costs.
• Bridge loan: A bridge loan is a short-term loan you can use to help pay for independent living while you sell your home, property, or other assets to cover the expense.

Independent Living Vs. Other Senior Housing

To better understand independent living, it might help to learn how it differs from other forms of senior housing:

Independent Living vs. Assisted Living

Independent living facilities are primarily for seniors who can take care of themselves with minimal assistance, while residents in assisted living facilities (ALFs) need some help with their daily activities. ILF residents don’t want to deal with the upkeep and responsibilities of homeownership; or they may want to find companionship with other retirees. Assisted living helps residents complete basic tasks like running errands, tracking medications, and grooming. ALFs are costlier because they require more staff and personalized care for the residents.

Independent Living vs. Home Care

While seniors who opt for independent living move into a shared community, seniors who utilize in-home care receive personalized care from the comfort of their own residence. For example, you could hire a personal caregiver to help cook dinner, clean the house, and shop for groceries. ILFs provide 24/7 access to on-site staff members; availability for home care services can vary widely based on the client’s specific requirements. For example, you could hire a live-in caregiver or one who only comes three times a week. Long-term home care is usually more expensive because it requires more specialized care for the client. Home care expenses are added on to all the other expenses like mortgage/rent, food, utilities, housekeeping, and groundskeeping.

Independent Living vs. Senior Apartments

Like ILFs, senior apartments are built for an older population, with features like bathroom handrails, wider doorways, and elevators. But unlike ILFs, senior apartments lack luxury amenities, and rent payments are not all-inclusive. Rent usually covers security, utilities, and maintenance, but residents are still responsible for housekeeping, meals, transportation, and laundry. Because senior apartments only provide the essentials, it is a much more cost-effective option than independent living facilities.

Independent Living vs. Active Adult Communities

Active adult communities (AACs) are senior living facilities that put residents right into the action. They are often built in central locations where seniors can walk to shops, eateries, entertainment, and other convenient destinations. Active adult communities don’t offer services like meals, housekeeping, transportation, laundry, and 24/7 emergency assistance. However, they may provide on-site amenities, like a golf course, pool, tennis court, fitness center, and clubhouse.

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors affect the cost of independent living?

Location, type of community, services, and package structure affect the cost of independent living facilities:

• Location: Where the independent living community is located plays a significant factor in the costs. A facility in a large city usually costs more than one in a rural area.
• Community type: Luxury communities are more expensive because they offer extra amenities. You should also check if a community offers studios, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments, as these come with different price tags.
• Provided services: The more services a community offers, the greater chance it comes at a higher cost. For example, an ILF with a pool, golf course, health center, and theater will likely cost more than a community that only provides the basics.
• Package structure: ILFs adopt different pricing structures depending on their service package. Some may function as an all-inclusive senior housing option where the monthly rent payment covers everything. Other facilities take an “a la carte” approach so residents can individually select the services they want to pay for.
• Extra fees: It’s not always the case but some facilities may charge extra for things like maintenance, entrance, or pet fees. Make sure you ask about these costs to ensure you can fit them within your budget.

What is the average cost of living in an independent living facility?

The average cost of an independent living facility is $3,700 a month. The cost of ILFs ranges between $1,400 to $6,600 a month based on location, amenities, and services.

How do you know if independent living is right for you?

Independent living is a good choice if you don’t want to deal with the burden of homeownership and desire community with other senior residents. It’s also best for individuals who need little to no daily living assistance from facility staff members.

Can you pay for independent living with Medicaid or Medicare?

Because independent living doesn’t provide daily living or medical assistance to residents, you cannot pay for it with Medicaid or Medicare insurance.