Louisville 55+ Communities

Getting older comes with a lot of benefits. For instance, you can move into an independent living facility that makes it easier for you to enjoy retirement. There are about two dozen established 55+ communities in the Louisville area for active, healthy adults who want to live independently, so take your time and evaluate them to choose one that matches your needs.

How much do 55+ communities cost in Louisville?

Independent living facilities usually offer rates that are considerably lower than those of nursing homes. They are, however, often a bit higher than renting an apartment. During December 2015, the average price of a rental apartment in the Louisville area was $791. The number of bedrooms that you choose, however, could help you save some money. Since the average price of a two-bedroom apartment was $814 a month, you may want to choose a one-bedroom option. The average cost for a one-bedroom apartment was $671 during the same month. That’s significant savings for a senior.

Expect to pay slightly more than these prices when you move into an independent living facility. The extra expense usually covers some impressive services such as cleaning, meals, exercise classes, and even transportation. SeniorAdvisor offers pricing and detailed information about independent living communities in Louisville. You can save a lot of time by consulting with SeniorAdvisor when making such an important decision.

The exact price will also differ significantly from facility to facility, so make sure you get quotes from several communities before you sign a lease.

How to pay for 55+ living

There are several ways you can pay for a new place to live even when if you don’t have a steady source of income. Many people choose to sell their homes when they reach retirement age. This not only gives them the money that they need to move into an independent living facility, but also means that they don’t have to worry about cleaning the house or maintaining a large yard. Instead, they can relax and enjoy themselves.

Unfortunately, you cannot rely on Medicaid and most other types of long-term care insurance to pay for your housing. Even if you have benefits from VA Aid & Attendance, you will still probably need to pay out of pocket. While these plans often cover the costs of home health care, they don’t pay for your personal living expenses. That’s especially true if you’re still healthy enough to live independently.

Keeping your monthly expenses as low as possible will also make 55+ living communities in Louisville more affordable for you. If you’re single, then you can split the rent on a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate. Not all retirement communities allow this, so make sure you check the rules before taking this course. You’ll also want to use a trial run to make sure you and your potential roommate get along well. You don’t want to sign a lease with someone who makes your life difficult.

What to look for in a retirement community

Before you start hunting for a retirement community in Louisville, it’s a good idea to make a list of the amenities and features that you want. Some things will likely matter more to you than others. For instance, if you have a pet, then you will need to make sure that the communities are pet friendly. You may also want to live in an area with plenty of shopping and entertainment options. That way, you won’t have to drive when you feel like going out. Even if this doesn’t seem like a big concern now, it could become important to you in upcoming years.

The basics

When you contact a 55+ community, ask about what services it includes in its rental prices. It’s common to find things like cable television, laundry services, and housekeeping. Many also have on-site restaurants that offer specialized meal plans to match diverse dietary requirements. You’ll want to find out exactly what your meal plan covers so you can avoid extra expenses.

The extras

Retirement communities often offer extra services and features to keep residents healthy and happy. Some perks offered by communities in Louisville include:

Exercise rooms with daily fitness classes

Free Wi-Fi

Covered parking and garages

Parks

Garden plots

Transportation to nearby stores and restaurants

The neighborhoods

Louisville covers nearly 400 square miles of land, so there are plenty of neighborhoods for you to explore before deciding where you want to live. Some neighborhoods with retirement communities include Saint Matthews, Crescent Hill, Clifton, and Jeffersontown. These are largely residential areas that also offer plenty of entertainment, shopping, and dining options.

The future

Before you move into a 55+ community, it’s worth asking yourself what you will need in the near future. Remember, you’re not just moving into a new place for a couple years. You may end up living there for a decade or more.