Independent Living in San Antonio

Deciding on the right type of senior living arrangement for your aging loved one can be a difficult decision. After all, most people immediately think the only options available for senior relatives are nursing homes. That notion couldn’t be further from the truth! There are plenty of senior living options available that can offer your loved one a high quality of life.

Independent living communities vastly differ from other types of senior living facilities, such as memory care and assisted living facilities. These differences all boil down to one simple fact: residents of independent living communities require little to no help with activities of daily living (ADLs). Oftentimes, the only assistance residents receive is help with appliance maintenance or lawn care. This is in contrast to memory care facilities that offer more extensive services, such as Alzheimer’s care, to address the levels of care their residents need.

Why Choose Independent Living?

Independent senior living locations, commonly known as retirement living communities or senior apartments, may offer amenities not seen in other senior health care facilities, such as swimming pools. Such amenities are great for inviting children and grandchildren out for intergenerational activities on a gorgeous sunny day. Other communities even offer common areas where socializing with other residents is readily accessible. In short, independent living arrangements are perfect for older folks who want to live in a community of other active seniors.

Factors to Consider

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to finding a senior care home or other type of senior housing. It’s all about finding the best fit for you and your loved one.

Amenities

Part of an elevated senior living experience comes from the amenities each community offers, which may include:

• Wellness programs and a fitness center
• Recreational and social activities like bingo night or game rooms
• Resort-style swimming pools
• Open floor plans, single-bedroom apartments or two-bedroom living options
• Pet-friendly locations
• Wi-fi access for tech-savvy seniors
• A restaurant-style dining room that makes socializing easy
• On-site washers and dryers

Financial Considerations

The cost of healthcare is often a deciding factor when choosing a senior living community. Fortunately, there may be financial assistance programs available that can help ease the financial burden associated with senior living services.

Medicare

Medicare is government-sponsored health insurance for older adults. Unfortunately, it typically does not cover long-term stays in residential care facilities. Specifically, Medicare will only pay 100% of the costs for a stay in such facilities if there is a medical need, such as for rehab following an injury, and only then for 20 days. After those 20 days are up, Medicare will cover 80% of the costs for 80 days. The program will not offer assistance for stays exceeding 100 days.

Medicare will not cover room and board costs associated with independent living, assisted living, and other senior living communities.

Texas Medicaid

Medicaid is a healthcare option for low-income, disabled Americans. Depending on the needs of the insured and the state they live in, Medicaid can cover a significant portion of the costs associated with stays in skilled nursing care services.

In Texas, qualified individuals may receive aid from a Medicaid-managed program called STAR+PLUS. Some of the services qualified individuals may receive include assistance with nursing care and assisted living expenses.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

In some cases, a continuing care retirement community is the right choice for you or your loved one. Also known as CCRCs or life plan communities, these senior residences are great for older adults who want to stay in a single location in their golden years. In other words, a CCRC is a singular community that offers a variety of senior living options—from skilled nursing services to independent living programs—all without requiring the resident to move to a new facility or new city to receive the care they need.

Pricing varies widely depending on the specific community and what financial resources are available in your area.

Location

Where your loved one‘s senior apartment community is located is a major consideration. Would they want a quieter location, such as apartment homes near the suburbs or a livelier, more vibrant place where outings to the gorgeous River Walk or historic sites like The Alamo are possible?

Independent Living Communities in and around San Antonio, Texas

Your loved one deserves a facility that does more than simply offer services and amenities; they deserve a location that cultivates a community. There are plenty of independent living locations in and around the City of San Antonio whose dedication to enriching the lives of their caregivers, residents, and community partners shows through in their award-winning service.

Find independent living communities in and around the San Antonio area today!