Independent retirement living: Complexes for seniors who can take care of
themselves, with a staff doing exterior maintenance.
Planned retirement communities: Independent living for active seniors,
usually younger retirees; strong focus on activities.
Assisted living: Similar to independent living, with extra care such as
call buttons.
Continuing care and life care: Independent living or assisted living that
can evolve into skilled nursing care as necessary.
Shared housing options:
Seniors who own a home can rent or provide rooms to other seniors, or to
younger people such as college students, with the arrangement depending on how
much help the person needs.
Many seniors move in with a grown child or other relative. This is known
as "family caregiving."
Some senior homeowners add on or remodel to create a separate apartment
for a housemate or caregiver. Or part of the grown child's house can be made
into living quarters for the senior.
A group of seniors can live together in a home specifically set up for a
shared situation, rather than one person moving into someone else's
home.
