Retirement - Retirement Q&A: Understanding Your Options For Retirement Communities

* What are Active Adult Communities?

Active Adult Communities are specially designed communities for those who are age 55 and above. They are designed for a lifestyle best suited to their age.

These are for couples who have no children living with them anymore. They can enjoy living in this kind of community along with other people in their own age group. Here there are two to three bedroom houses being offered to their community members.

These active adult communities feature a lot of facilities and amenities that will cater to their favorite activities. Usually there are golf courses, clubhouses, parks, nature trails, and places where they can enjoy retirement.


* What are Independent Living Communities?

Independent Living Communities, otherwise known as retirement homes, are like condominiums and apartments where seniors and retirees capable of living independently can stay with their peers.

Here they can enjoy a lifestyle that is laidback and full of recreation together with other seniors and retirees.

This kind of community offers security and the convenience of community living while still being an independent person.

There are plenty of activities offered in this type of community that help keep community members fit, alert and comfortable.


* What are Continuing Care Retirement Communities?

Continuing Care Retirement Communities are a kind of community wherein retirees and seniors can obtain three different levels of community care programs. In continuing care retirement communities, a senior or retiree can choose from 1) independent living, 2) assisted living, and 3) nursing home care all within a single community.

For a one time or monthly fee basis, a retired person can avail of a living quarters, meals, health care in different levels and the company of other seniors and retired persons.


* What are Assisted Living Communities?

Assisted Living Communities can be differentiated by the different types of levels of assistance provided by the hosts of the communities as well as the different kinds of living units by their residents.

This is a community wherein retirees and senior citizen residents live together and requires some assistance in their everyday activities. Licensed and well-trained medical staff are at hand to provide service and assistance to their residents that either could not do their daily activity independently due to old age or because of an illness or ailment.


* What are Nursing Care Facilities?

Nursing Care Facilities, or Nursing Homes, provide a living community for senior citizens and retirees who need constant or daily care. Most states require a nursing care facility to have a license. They are expected to meet federal requirements such as having licensed and well-trained medical attendants.

Advanced aged residents can avail of medical attention all day. As well, they can live with other people with their same condition and enjoy daily activities that can keep them physically and mentally active.


* What are golf retirement communities?

As its name implies, a Golf Retirement Community is a living community wherein a golf course is centered. Retirees and senior citizens who love the game of golf get a chance to play the game they adore everyday.

This kind of community is designed to cater to the needs of those who are advanced in age and want to live in a community among their peers. Many amenities are available that do not only cater to golfing. They can enjoy other activities such as card playing, swimming, exercising and more.

This type of community offers different housing plans such as two door houses or apartment type living quarters.


* What are RV retirement communities?

RV retirement communities are where senior citizens or retirees live in RV’s or Recreational Vehicles that are parked in designated areas. RV Communities have permanent structures and facilities wherein residents can avail of many services such as recreation, medical and other physical activities.

A couple or single senior retiree can enjoy living independently in his RV but still get the attention he needs. Living with other retirees in their own RV’s cuts the cost of renting housing facilities or buying a home.


* What are rental retirement communities?

Rental retirement communities allow you to live in a community where you do not have an obligation to purchase a property. You can enjoy retired life to the fullest in a community where like-minded people can take pleasure in living in a community where they can get to do what they like.

A rental retirement community lets you live in a community where there are a various choices of living conditions. From luxurious villas to studio type apartments, you can stay as long as you want when you want it. You can take advantage of services like independent living, assisted living and nursing care living.