What are senior apartments?
• Senior apartments offer adults age 55 and older an independent living option with private space and a community atmosphere.
• Services may include housekeeping, maintenance, planned social events, and access to staff support.
• Senior apartment communities vary in size, location, cost, amenities, and access to additional care.
Retirement is different for everyone. Some people want to age in place in their homes, while others may want to downsize and move to senior living.
For those who do want a change of scenery, there’s some good news: there are a lot of options all based on your preferences, needs, and goals.
One of those options is a senior apartment. Let’s take a look at what they are and some of the benefits they offer.
What are senior apartments?
Senior apartments are typically an independent living option for adults age 55 and older. They offer a community atmosphere, potential cost savings, and freedom from some of the stress of homeownership and daily tasks. Many senior apartments, retirement communities, and independent living communities also provide staff and community support.
Senior apartments let older adults live independently in their own private space, unlike senior cohousing or roommate arrangements.
Benefits of living in a senior apartment community
Senior living apartments may offer services such as housekeeping, maintenance, and planned social events. They’re designed for older adults who don’t need intensive personal care, such as help with dressing or bathing, but are ready to leave behind the responsibilities of homeownership and want easy access to a community of peers.
Unlike a mixed-age apartment community, senior apartments have staff available to help in a variety of ways when needed.
Some senior apartments are stand-alone communities. Others are part of a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), where independent living, assisted living, and nursing care are available in the same location.
Types of senior living apartments
Senior apartments vary by cost, services, and community size. Beyond these factors, you’ll find a range of options to consider as you choose the right senior apartment community for you.
Common types of senior living apartments that are popular among older adults include:
• Small apartment community. A small senior apartment community in a quiet neighborhood where multiple languages are spoken and residents often socialize with one another.
• Hotel-like apartment community. A community in the heart of the city with fully furnished private suites, hotel-like amenities, or a shared room if you prefer one.
• Large apartment community. A larger senior community with one- or two-bedroom apartments that you furnish yourself. On-site services may include a library, restaurant, fitness center, and computer center.
• Urban apartments. Senior apartments in a vibrant downtown neighborhood that are also part of a CCRC, which can provide more care in the future if you need it.
Planning for costs with the Cost of Care tool
Senior apartments might be one step you take on your aging journey. Explore care costs for other types of care with our Cost of Care tool.
Written by
Brian Dowd
Brian is writer based in New England. He is a passionate storyteller with a knack for finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. He joined CareScout as a Senior Content Writer in 2024. Before that, he worked as a content writer in the senior living industry and worked for several years as an assi...
