As an active senior living community in Longview, Texas, Westminster Place is proud to offer a variety of living options to live out your retirement years. When choosing which living option is best for you or a loved one, deciphering the descriptions of lifestyles advertised by different communities may not be very clear. One of the most asked questions is about the difference between independent living and senior apartments. Services, amenities, and cost are the most significant differences. The team at Westminster Place is happy to walk you through the differences so that you can make the best, most informed decision for your needs or on behalf of a loved one.
What Is the Difference Between Independent Living and Senior Apartments?
Senior Apartments
Senior apartments are basically just apartments with the word senior put in front of them. It’s more a marketing strategy than a unique living offering for seniors. An age minimum makes them different from any other apartment or apartment complex. So you must be considered a senior based on your age in order to live in these apartments or communities of apartments. Some things are also taken into consideration and designed to make the living situation appeal more to older adults, like handicap accessibility. Based on income, you may find many senior apartments that are part of a “55+ community” are also partially subsidized. Unlike independent living accommodations that are part of a senior lifestyle community offering a continuum of care, senior apartments on their own do not offer all of the conveniences, amenities, programming, and care options.
There are also upscale senior living options for those who can afford it through 55+ communities. However, paying for the luxurious accommodations doesn’t always include the other amenities and care options you may need or be looking for.
Independent Living
Like senior apartments, independent senior living also offers a community made up of peers over a certain age, but the community itself offers so much more to its residents. Many independent living communities provide a variety of living options, from smaller luxury apartment styles to spacious villas and cottages, all offering maintenance-free living. It’s an excellent option for healthy seniors who want to live independently but don’t want the burden of being a homeowner any longer and all the upkeep required. Independent living communities also offer additional levels of care when needed, health & wellness programs, social events, 5-star dining options, transportation services, and more.
Deciding on Senior Living
There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing senior living. At Westminster Place, we believe that independent living has many advantages over senior apartments when it comes to living out your retirement years. The biggest advantage is that you have options within the community when your needs change. If assisted living or memory care becomes necessary, there is no need to uproot your life to receive the additional care. This continuum of care can give both you and your loved ones peace of mind that you can live out your years getting the support you need, as your needs change over time. Many seniors choose to move to independent living here in Texas for this reason, as well as the many amenities and programs offered within the community.
Independent living communities offer more than just a place to live. They are truly a community where your neighbors, and those that work there, become friends and extended family. Having everything you need on-site or available at your fingertip makes life easy.
Call On Westminster Place For Senior Living
If you are looking to downsize, but have questions about what type of senior living is right for you, then calling on experts – like the team at Westminster Place – is your best course of action.
Don’t make a decision you will regret. Understand the difference between senior apartments, independent living, and more.
Buckner Westminster offers the following senior living options:
- Independent living
- Assisted living
- Memory care
- Long-term care
- Respite care
Contact our knowledgeable team today at 855.952.5640 to get more information.