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Senior Housing Options
Moving vs. Aging in Place
Are you looking to make your own house an easier place to live as you grow older? Or hoping to find a home where assistance is always available?
There are many types of senior living options in Illinois:
- Active senior communities are intended for retired adults who want to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. These communities typically offer amenities like golf courses, walking trails and recreational spaces. They can be townhouses, single-family homes or multi-family homes.
- Independent living communities are for people who enjoy living alone, but want access to assistance when they need it. These communities often provide convenient access to medical care, and offer optional housekeeping, laundry or dining services.
- Age-restricted communities can include active senior communities and independent living communities, but impose age restrictions (50+, 55+, 65+, etc.).
Start your search for senior housing options with resources such as:
- Home Modifications for Older Adults and Caregivers
- Senior Housing Net
- After 55
- SeniorHomes.com
- Retirenet.com
- The Fair Housing Act: Housing for Older Persons
- Housing Options for Older Adults (PDF brochure from Illinois Department on Aging)
Aging in Place
If you love where you live, you don't have to leave it just because you're getting older or have different needs than you used to. Consider modifying your home with additions such as:
- Ramps or stepless stairways
- Adding handlebars in the bathroom
- Wider hallways, doors and entries
If you're interested in making modifications like these to your current home, search Mainstreet's list of affiliate partners to find a contractor in your area. If you're searching for a new home that will allow you to age in place, consult your Mainstreet REALTOR®. They can help you find homes that are suitable for aging in place, and can share details on:
- Nearby transportation options
- Nearby healthcare facilities
- Local entertainment, shops and places to socialize
- Home features and likelihood to need certain types of maintenance
With a growing number of adults age 65 or older, more neighborhoods are planning for a population that will age in place. If you want to learn more about how your neighborhood can help, read about planning for senior housing in your municipality.
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