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What Is an Active Retirement Community? How Does It Differ from a Traditional Senior Living or Assisted Living Home?
Yong Lee • March 3, 2020
Traditional or assisted senior living facilities are more akin to what people usually think of when they hear the term “retirement home.” The focus shifts from fostering and promoting independence to more hands-on assistance with all aspects of life, from getting dressed and taking medications to getting in and out of the shower. People can still live good, fulfilling lives in an assisted living community, but there is necessarily less independence because the residents simply need more assistance than residents who live in an active retirement community.
Activities and Facilities Catered to Active Retirees w Title
Active living seniors
are, by definition, still energetic and have a desire to do things, whether that’s participating in a hobby, enjoying coffee or drinks with friends, taking walks, swimming or doing Yoga. The activities at an active senior living facility usually reflect the capabilities and interests of the residents.
Assisted living facilities have activities too, but they’re usually designed and implemented with resident’s often limited mobility, dexterity and endurance in mind.
There’s flexibility at both types of facilities. Residents are encouraged to participate, get involved and gain a group of friends at both active senior and assisted living communities, but the activity options are likely a bit more limited at an assisted living facility.
There can also be a marked difference in food. There are assisted living-focused facilities that have good food, but active senior living communities usually have dining experiences that are closer to restaurant in style
and quality instead of a cafeteria.
Difference in Cost
Active retirement community residents no longer worry about the cost of home maintenance – no more replacing roofs, having new HVAC systems installed or paying property taxes – but Medicare and other insurance options likely won’t cover independent living retirement communities.
Assisted living communities are sometimes covered by Medicaid if the resident qualifies, but only in cases where a person has few remaining assets. Long-term care insurance will usually cover assisted living costs, but with that coverage comes limitations.
Assisted living by its nature is a much more medical/health care-oriented operation. Skilled nurses may be on staff and doctors may make regular visits. Vitals are monitored, medication is administered and there’s an emphasis on providing care.
Active retirement communities like Timberhill Villa have exercise classes, Yoga and provide transportation to and from doctors’ appointments, but health care isn’t regularly provided on the premises.
If you have long-term care insurance, it will likely cover assisted living but won’t cover active retirement living. However, seniors who value independence and maintaining an active, adventurous lifestyle and enjoy spending time with other retirees who feel the same may discover that an active retirement community is worth the added cost.
Even though it may not be covered by insurance, some retirees may find moving into an active retirement community to be preferable from a financial perspective as well. Selling a paid-off home and using the proceeds to move into an independent 55+ senior community means you’re trading in the costs of upkeep, property taxes, large home projects and utilities for a worry-free, financially simplified lifestyle.
Schedule a Visit and Discover What Makes Active Senior Communities Great
The team Timberhill Villa goes the extra mile to create an environment that exemplifies what makes active retirement communities a great option for many seniors. Living at Timberhill Villa doesn’t feel all that different from living in a condo association, except there are a lot of added conveniences, such as house cleaning, restaurant-quality meals, exercise classes and Yoga, free laundry, onsite church services and more – all included.
Find out what life is like on the 24-acre Timberhill Villa property by scheduling a tour. Give us a call at (210) 684-3480 to learn more.
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