Most Affordable Senior Living Options: Find Your Perfect Fit Today

Choosing from the best options for senior living can be one of the most important processes you or your elderly family members undertake. Affordability is a key factor to consider, as are safety and comfort. The end decision affects the rest of a loved one’s life and needs to be made carefully, with as much knowledge as possible. 

A variety of senior living options are available. There are affordable communities for people aged 55+, which offer amenities similar to independent living but on a smaller scale. Low-income senior living is available for those on a more limited budget. These facilities can be group housing structures or individual living facilities, such as apartments.

The most important things to consider are the happiness and safety of the senior about to enter a new living situation. There can be hesitation, worry and even resistance if the senior in question feels nostalgic and persistent about staying in their current home. Many seniors raised families and built entire lives in their old homes so emotions must also be considered and handled with care.

Whether you are a senior looking for new affordable housing or a family member assisting an elderly loved one, good information is essential. There are many quality options available to be discovered through proper research. Read on to learn about the most affordable senior living options available and find your perfect fit today!

Reasons for Needing Senior Living Options

There are many reasons for needing new, affordable senior living options. Medical situations or diminishing physical capabilities are two top reasons. For younger seniors living alone due to the death or lack of a spouse, the 55+ communities offer socialization amenities among similarly aged people having similar interests. Other reasons for needing senior living options can include:

• Stairs in two-story houses becoming unmanageable.
• Needing assistance with taking the correct medicines in their correct doses.
• Needing assistance with financial planning and/or management.
• Inability to drive and take care of daily needs.
• Loneliness and/or desire to be around other seniors with similar interests.

Affordable 55+ Communities 

The 55+ communities offer more flexibility and independence than do assisted living facilities. Gallup stated in 2018 how the majority of seniors are retiring at age 66. This means many people 55 and up are quite independently active and even still working full-time jobs. 55+ communities have varied prices based on location and amount of amenities offered. For example, Leisure World Seal Beach, located in Seal Beach, CA has listings ranging from $155,900 to just under $500,000. Cornwall Manor, located in a country area of Lebanon County, PA has entry fees starting as low as $62,000. 

There are affordable 55+ communities in every state within the U.S. Finding the best one for your situation requires some online searching, making a few phones calls and scheduling showings. Sites such as Senior Living offer search directories designed to specially help find the best 55+ communities near you. After55.com and NewHomeSource.com also offer similar search parameters. It takes a bit of research to find the best prices combined with the desired amenities, but the information sources are there. 

Low-Income Senior Living 

Low-income senior living does not necessitate living in a group home or retirement community. There are senior citizens who still have physical independence but have limited financial resources due to any number of reasons. Cost-effective options do exist and rent can be subsidized, allowing seniors to downsize their homes and expenses while maintaining independent living.

Other financial assistance may be available for low-income seniors needing more extensive options including medical services and help with daily living. The Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program helps fund some assisted living homes, keeping entry fees and monthly expenses low. There is also a low-income housing tax credit available for qualified residences as well as Housing Choice Vouchers, which are made available through HUD. 

Low-income senior living can mean a variety of things. Assisted living usually involves group homes, but independent living options are available. Prices, services and features will all vary based on location and meeting income requirements. There are a few more specific types of low-income senior living options, however.

Low-Income Senior Apartments 

Senior Living also provides a search directory for affordable senior apartments. Apartments for seniors are largely for independent living. These apartments can be owned privately or financed by local or federal government programs. Located conveniently close to public transportation options, many low-income senior apartments are designed to help senior citizens get to grocery stores, shopping malls and medical appointments without sacrificing total living independence.

There are also senior living apartments built and maintained as cooperative housing corporations. This means each senior resident is part owner of the complex and the land on which it is built. Cooperative senior apartments help share the responsibilities of maintaining a residence among a group of seniors, which can mitigate stress and financial burdens for upkeep and repairs. These types of residences also place seniors among similarly aged peers and friends, increasing social interactions and activities.

Church-Related Senior Living Options

There are numerous senior living options sponsored by churches and religious organizations. Presbyterian Senior Living offers affordable housing for seniors in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. The Good Samaritan Society is a large organizing offering a wide variety of affordable senior living options nationwide. NationalChurchResidences.com also provides affordable options across the U.S. It is not also a requirement to be a member of a specific church to qualify for these housing programs. Age and proof of low income must be provided, however.

Respite Care 

Respite care residences for senior living offer temporary stays lasting one week to several months. These shorter stays can have multiple purposes and benefits. For example, seniors recovering from a surgery or illness might need temporary living assistance before returning to life in their regular homes. Seniors living in colder climates might opt to spend winter months in a respite care facility located in warmer areas of the U.S. Temporary respite care living options can also be used as trial runs for seniors considering a move to assisted living communities but still unsure of the decision.