Confused about all the different types of retirement and active adult communities?
People are understandably confused about the many terms used to describe the various types of retirement communities used in the industry. The marketing people have been working overtime, it seems, coming up with new terms and types to describe what most people used to know as just a "retirement home ".
It gets even more complicated since there is a plethora of "100 best places to retire" and other types of retirement resources.. Read on to see a brief glossary of these names, which are often used interchangeably. Here at Topretirements we try to label the communities when we are aware that they fit these classifications. Click on the links to find out more about each one.
1. Mixed generation communities (or mixed age communities)
If you are not retired, this is the type of community you probably live in now. These are communities where people of all ages live together - whether it is a town or a development.
2. Independent living facilities (these are often, but not always multi-family properties)
--- over 50 communities - You have to be 50+ (or over 50 years of age) to live in these communities. Typically if one of a couple is at least 50, it is OK for a younger spouse to live there. Sometimes children are restricted to a fixed amount of days per year, or other type of restriction.
- 55 plus communities - Similar to above, these faciliites are designed for people who are 55 years of age are older (55+ communities).
- 60+ communities - See above, except the age limit begins at 60 and over. This is less common than 55 and over communities .
age restricted communities - In this type of community there is some type of age restriction imposed on the residents. Usually one of the family members must meet some minimum age restriction; children are generally not welcome as long term residents.
3. Active Adult Communities (also independent living, but usually privately owned homes or condos with more recreational facilities than just over 50 type communities)
- adult communities - A real estate development that has a target audience of people of at least 45 years of age, generally a bit older such as over 55. Adult is code for senior, not a favorite term for baby boomers.
- active adult communities - This is marketing-speak for a community of retirement age people, basically an adult community but one which promises facilities to provide a more active lifestyle. No one wants to think of themselves as being inactive, after all.
- active lifestyle communities - Not really very much different than the preceding. Active lifestyle sounds appealing, in fact it's a lot better than "sedentary old folks home"!
4. Other Types of Communities
- cohousing (co-housing) - A new concept where people of similar interests live together in communities, sharing some responsibilities and activities. They might even agree to take care of one another in certain ways. Most of these communities pride themselves on being "green", or environmentally sustainable.
- college town retirement communities - A very appealing concept to many baby boomers. Often people who retire to a college town might have attended that college. Click the link to find out more about retiring to a college town.
- baby boomer retirement - The next big demographic tsunami. Marketers are waiting, planning, and developing to try to anticipate exactly what types of retirement communities baby boomers will retire to. Most agree - these communities can't be quite the same as what their parents wanted.
- Certified retirement communities - A few states (Texas, Lousiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, West Virginia) have started programs to recognize cities and towns that have worked hard to provide the facilities and environment to attract retirees.
- retirement communities - This was the original concept for a place for people to live in retirement. In these communities you live in your own house, apartment, or condominium, as opposed to a" retirement home" where everyone lives communally. Generally these places don't have as many recreational and communal facilities as an active adult community.
- Green or sustainable communities - Many baby boomers would prefer to live in a community that is easy on the environment and which consumes less energy, water, resources. This article explains the pitfalls of listening to unsubstantiated marketing claims about "eco-sensitive" etc.
-retirement villages- This is more of an Australian and New Zealand concept than American. We were surprised when we researched the term.
5. Housing with More Advanced Care:
- Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). This is a hybrid concept which provides independent living as well as assisted living and nursing care. For example one spouse might need extensive nursing care, but the other can continue to live in her own apartment, even cooking some or all of her own meals. If the other spouse recovers, they can move back to the apartment.
-- Assisted living - These types of communities typically provide multi-family buiildings with services such as meals, housekeeping, medical services, transportation, etc.
- Retirement home - Where your grandparents might have lived. Increasingly this is for the very aged, similar to assisted living in ways but not as hard core as a nursing home
- Nursing home - Usually the last stop for the elderly. The level of care is very high and skilled nursing care is a hallmark.
So now that you know the terms - need help finding the community that is right for you?
For objective facts and insightful opinions on the best active adult retirement communities you've come to the right place - www.Topretirements.com. The interesting and easy-to-read community profiles on this site make it seem like you have actually visited over 220 communities designed for active adults 55+ - without leaving your home. If your idea of retirement involves an active adult community; a golf or tennis community; living in a college town, big city or small town; this site has has the unbiased research to help you identify the communities you should consider. Armed with vital facts and honest opinions from real people, you won't have to rely on luck, your own limited circle of friends or relatives, or sales pitches from marketers to choose the community that's right for you.
Free eBook Can Help Get You Started
You can even download our Free eBook: "The Baby Boomers Guide to Selecting a Retirement Community: 16 Factors You Need to Consider". Just click on the book title to download it as our gift.
Reviews of the best retirement towns
Find out more about the pros and cons of retirement in different states now. Enjoy! |
