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Independent living facilities, also sometimes called retirement communities, active adult communities or 55-plus communities, are designed for seniors who are able to care for themselves but want access to certain amenities and activities among other adults around the same age.
These communities are usually focused on supporting an active, engaged lifestyle and can be a great option for seniors who want to downsize their homes, pass the burden of looking after the property to someone else and live in a community that caters to their interests and social needs.
Finding the Best Independent Living Facility for You Takes Time: Start Early
Since there are so many factors to consider, and since this may be your first foray into the senior living space, it’s a good idea to start your search early, before a health crisis or life change forces action.
You’ll also have a chance to do strategic financial planning and get on a waitlist if needed at your top-choice facility.
It helps to have a plan. Use our checklist to learn how to find the best independent living community for you or a loved one, if and when the time comes.
[READ: Independent Living vs. Assisted Living: What’s the Difference?]
Our 14-Step Checklist to Find the Best Independent Living Options
This independent living checklist can help you evaluate and compare different independent living facilities. It covers key aspects, including amenities, location, staff qualifications and resident reviews. Follow these steps to find the best independent living community for your needs:
— Consider your preferences.
— Consider your care needs.
— Consider your finances.
— Research facilities that match your preferences, needs and budget.
— Tour your favorite options.
— Get to know the staff.
— Explore the types of units available.
— Dig deep into costs and fees.
— Understand the health care options.
— Learn about activities and enrichment opportunities.
— Talk transportation.
— Ask about emergency protocols.
— Ask how the facility handles resident safety, hygiene and infection.
— Explore spiritual offerings.
1. Consider your preferences
Think about where you want to live and what sized community might be best for you.
Location
A key concern is location. Consider whether the community is located near friends or loved ones and if it has basic services such as:
— Medical offices or a hospital
— Grocery stores and other retail outlets
— Entertainment
— Fitness and wellness options, such as a gym, a pool or tennis courts
Size
You should also think about what you’d prefer in terms of size. Some communities may house hundreds of residents, while others cater to much smaller groups. Consider whether you’d prefer some anonymity in a larger community or want to know all of your neighbors well.
2. Consider your care needs
Think about your care needs now and down the line, as much as possible. Those needs can change quickly, and independent living communities can’t typically offer much support if you suddenly need more medical care.
Services and next-level care
Residents in independent living facilities may have some basic health care needs but typically don’t need daily care or help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing and using the toilet. If you have such needs, an independent living community is probably not going to provide enough support.
However, there’s some evidence that any type of senior living situation could help you live longer. That’s according to a 2024 study from the University of Chicago, which found that older adults who live in senior housing communities live longer, receive more home health services and benefit from greater rehabilitation and preventive care than those who do not.
Health care needs
“Most people will need support to age well wherever they call home, even if it seems far in the future,” says Lauren Dunning, director of the Future of Aging at the Milken Institute, a nonpartisan think tank based in Santa Monica, California. “It’s critical to plan for this.”
Take an honest assessment of where your health care needs are currently and what you see coming down the pike. Most independent living communities don’t have medical services on-site, but many are located near medical offices or a hospital that can provide care as needed.
If you need more intensive care or round-the-clock support, it may be time to consider an assisted living community, a rehab facility (if your care needs are related to an acute issue, such as recovering from surgery) or a nursing home if you need constant care.
[READ: When Is It Time to Move to Independent Living?]
3. Consider your finances
It’s no secret that senior living options can be very expensive, but independent living typically costs less than other options that offer more hands-on care and support, such as assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
All the same, you’ll need to consider your finances and whether you can afford to move into an independent living community.
“Traditional (fee-for-services) Medicare does not generally cover services and supports delivered in the home, even if that home is a senior living facility,” Dunning notes.
That means that even if you have Medicare, the federal health insurance program designed for adults over age 65 and some younger people with qualifying disabilities, it can’t help with the costs of senior living, including independent living communities.
What’s more, because independent living facilities may cater to adults age 55 and up, many residents are still working. If you’re retired, consider whether you’ve saved enough to cover your costs. Will you be relying on a pension or Social Security income to pay for your day-to-day expenses? Will you be relying on the proceeds of the sale of your home or other property to cover the rent and other fees that typically come with independent living?
Talking with a financial advisor can be a smart move to ensure your finances are in order and you can afford this next stage of life.
4. Research facilities that match your preferences, needs and budget
Once you’ve determined your preferences, needs and budget, it’s time to start looking for facilities that match those criteria.
A good place to start is with U.S. News’ Best Independent Living Communities rating. This listing is searchable by location and provides insight into communities that might be good options for further research and investigation.
It’s going to take some effort to build an initial list and then narrow it down to a shortlist. Once you’ve done that, continue your research, and make sure to look into facility policies that could affect your needs.
5. Tour your favorite options
Certainly, it’s great to read all the marketing materials, listen to others’ reviews and conduct other research, but there’s simply there’s no replacing a visit to experience the vibe of the place.
“Visiting multiple communities is essential,” says Esther Cromwell, founder and CEO of Avendelle Assisted Living, based in Raleigh, North Carolina. That way, you can “get a firsthand look at the facilities, meet the staff and observe the overall environment.”
Some communities also let potential residents come and stay for a few days to try it out and see if there’s a fit. Take advantage of such opportunities to ensure you feel comfortable in the space that could become your next home.
[READ: 10 Things to Look for When Touring a Senior Living Facility]
6. Get to know the staff: Staffing ratios and tenure
While visiting, Cromwell recommends asking detailed questions about the staff-to-resident ratio.
Many senior living communities experience high turnover rates, and this can be a marker of quality; the higher the turnover rate, the less happy staff members may be with management of the community. That, in turn, could have implications for what you’ll experience as a resident.
Turnover can’t tell the full story about a community, but it’s a data point worth paying attention to.
You should also ask about the average tenure of residents. Because independent living communities are typically restricted by age — some permit residents age 55 and older, while others don’t allow entry until age 62 or 65 — the average duration of stay can be hard to nail down. For a high-quality community that offers valuable benefits and amenities, look for average stays counted in years rather than months.
7. Explore the types of units available
Many independent living communities are structured as neighborhoods with cottages or small, single-family homes, while others are designed as condo buildings where all residents live in the same structure. Some communities offer a mix of options and styles, from townhomes to apartments and more.
No matter which options are available at the community you’re considering, ask to see floor plans and find out whether the units are furnished. Some require you to bring your own furniture.
Take a look at the various options on offer during a tour. See which ones feel comfortable and which might be too cramped for your lifestyle. Consider how much space you can afford and how that will impact the number and types of items you need to toss, donate or sell before moving in.
8. Dig deep into costs and fees
Independent living communities tend to cost less than many other senior living options, but they can still be pricey. These costs can be influenced by several factors:
— Location of the community
— Size of the living space
— Amenities
On average, independent living and retirement communities cost roughly $3,000 per month, according to SeniorLiving.org, but there can be wide variation from property to property. The fee typically includes rent on the living space. Some communities may include other costs in their monthly total, such as utilities, some meals, home maintenance, landscaping and amenities.
Getting a clear picture of all the costs and/or fees you may be responsible for once you sign a contract is key to finding the right community. Consider whether you can afford to pay the fees and whether those costs fit into your overall financial planning.
Talk with the finance manager at the community to be sure you understand all your obligations, any potential hidden fees and whether they will negotiate fees or payment plan options with you.
You may also want to speak with a financial advisor or an attorney who has expertise in senior living to be sure the contract is fair and reasonable.
9. Understand the health care options
If you don’t currently have any serious medical issues, an independent living community may be a good choice. But, as mentioned, you should have a plan in mind for how you’ll address increasing care needs as you age.
For example, consider whether you can have a home health aide come in to assist you or if you’ll need to move to an assisted living community, which Cromwell notes typically offers some added health care services, “although they are less intensive than those in nursing homes.”
You can also look for a community that’s located near health care providers with whom you already have an established relationship.
10. Learn about activities and enrichment opportunities
One of the most important ways that an independent living community can support a senior’s well-being is by providing activities and facilitating connection to other seniors.
“Social isolation, loneliness or depression due to a lack of interaction can be alleviated by the socially engaging environment,” Cromwell notes.
Some independent living communities excel in offering socialization opportunities to residents that might be hard to duplicate outside of that community.
Therefore, it’s important to talk with other residents and staff at the independent living community you’re considering to learn more about what’s on offer and what you can expect once you move in.
For example, some independent living communities might offer classes and college courses so residents can pursue lifelong learning. Other communities center their offerings around a particular hobby or interest, such as music, aviation, art or pickleball. There’s a vast number of options, and each community has its own mix.
When touring a facility, ask if you can sit in on particular activities that interest you so you can get a feel for how the community approaches activities and engagement and to see whether residents are engaged and enjoying their time there.
11. Talk transportation
Getting around the community and being able to head off campus to visit loved ones, go shopping or go to the doctor is an important logistical concern no matter where you’re planning to move.
Ask whether the community provides transportation services to residents or whether you’ll need to have your own car or other means of transportation. If you’re going to need your own car, what’s the parking situation like?
If transportation services are available in the community, ask whether the cost for this is included in your monthly payment or if you’ll be charged separately for that service. Depending on your needs, transportation costs can add up quickly and could change the calculus on whether you can afford a particular community.
12. Ask about emergency protocols
Ask staff at the community or contact a local government representative to find out what you need to know in case of emergency or evacuation. Questions to ask include:
— How do you get out of your house if there’s an evacuation order?
— Where do you go if there’s a fire or other emergency in the home?
— What happens during a power outage?
— How are staff trained to assist residents in an emergency?
— What other resources are available to support you in case of emergency?
13. Ask how the facility handles resident safety, hygiene and infection control
Similarly, you should ask about how the community keeps residents safe. Many communities have gates, security cameras and staff who keep an eye on safety. But ask about specific safety protocols, such as property monitoring, locks and hygiene and infection control, if you’re living in an apartment building or other communal setting.
14. Explore spiritual offerings
In addition to all these practical considerations, you should also consider whether your spiritual needs can be met by the community. If you practice a religion, is there a church, temple or other house of worship on-site or nearby that you can visit on your own? Is there a staff member, such as a chaplain, who can help you with spiritual needs?
Find Top-Rated Independent Living Facilities with U.S. News
Start your search for top-rated independent living communities near you with U.S. News’ Best Senior Living 2024 ratings
. More than 3,500 communities are included in this rating, which was based on more than 400,000 survey responses from seniors and their families.
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How to Find the Best Independent Living Community Near You: A Checklist originally appeared on usnews.com
