What Is Senior Housing?

As of 2019, there are over 54 million senior citizens – anyone above the age of 65 years old – in the United States. That makes up over 16% of the entire US population or more than one out of every seven American citizens, and these numbers are only expected to increase over time. 

The rise in senior citizens is largely due to the ‘baby boomers’ generation, which is the largest generational group in United States history. Baby boomers are people born between 1946 and 1964, which represents over 71 million people aged between 57-75 years old in the US today. 



As the number of senior citizens increases in the United States, so does the need for senior housing opportunities across the nation. It’s important now more than ever to ensure the safety, security, stability, and wellness of our seniors as they look to enjoy the back end of their life.

So, what is senior housing?

Senior housing is a term used in the real estate industry and refers to any form of housing that’s designed to meet the exclusive needs of the senior population. There are a number of different types of senior citizen housing opportunities and they’re each unique in their own way. 



Having senior housing available is extremely important because most senior citizens see a major decrease in income as they grow older. They generally aren’t offered the same opportunities as younger individuals and most seniors can’t keep up with the day-to-day grind.

With a decrease in income, it’s clear senior citizens are in need of help. And with the way the world is going right now, many family members are struggling to help out when needed. This is where senior housing can play a major part in the quality surrounding a senior citizen’s life. 

What Makes Housing Suitable for Seniors?

Since senior citizens have unique needs and varying incomes, it’s important that their housing opportunities need to accommodate those needs and incomes. It goes a long way in ensuring the health and safety of our senior citizens, allowing them to live a quality and rewarding life. 



There are a number of factors that make housing suitable for senior citizens, including: 

• Accessibility, both interior, and exterior
• Location and community
• Parking availability, especially handicapped parking spots
• Transportation options, including public transportation, taxis, and rideshare availability
• Sidewalks and adequate street lighting
• In-home care and assistance where needed
• Additional services and amenities, such as meal prepping and/or medication management
• Social events with other senior members of the community
• Mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health support
• Help with home maintenance, cleaning, and everyday chores
• Tech support, especially since many seniors have a hard time understanding technology in a digital world

Keep in mind that every senior citizen has unique needs – meaning what’s suitable for one senior citizen might not be suitable for another. That’s why there are so many different types of senior housing opportunities available – everyone wins, so long as you find the right one for you.

Different Types of Senior Housing

If there were just one type of senior housing available, it would either be too much for certain individuals or not enough for other individuals. Luckily, that’s not how it works today and there are a number of different senior housing opportunities available for seniors to choose from. 



For example, seniors can choose between senior apartment communities, independent living communities, assisted living communities, nursing homes, and continuing care retirement communities. Don’t worry, we’re going to explain each one in a little more detail down below:

Senior Apartment Communities

Senior apartments communities are just like any other apartment community but designed exclusively for and available only to the senior population. They have easy access with minimal stairs, ramps when needed, handicapped parking, grab bars, and other senior-specific features. 

Since seniors are living in an apartment, they don’t have to worry about maintenance and a majority of the appliances are taken care of. It makes for easy, accessible, and worry-free living. 

Independent Living Communities

Independent living communities are similar to senior apartments, but they offer a variety of extra services and features tailored towards the senior population. This might include a social calendar with other seniors in the community and/or a full-service kitchen for all-day meals.

With independent living, seniors are allowed to live their life on their own as they please, but with additional features to make life that much easier on the individual or couple. 

Assisted Living Communities

Assisted living communities are similar to independent living communities, but are more catered to seniors that need assistance with their day-to-day lifestyle. Staff is available 24/7 to help seniors with everything from getting dressed to managing medication and eating meals. 

The staff builds a close one-on-one relationship with each senior to ensure their specific needs are met on a daily basis. This allows seniors to live on their own, but with the help they need. 

Skilled Nursing Facilities (Nursing Home)

A nursing home is very similar to the other senior living communities but is designed for seniors that have needs beyond what’s offered at an assisted living community. The skilled nurses are generally available 24/7 to help seniors with long-term care and various rehabilitation services. 

If you have an aging parent or family member that wants to live on their own, but needs constant monitoring, a skilled nursing facility is an excellent option. Your loved one will be in good hands. 



Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)

A continuing care retirement community (CCRC) is an all-inclusive housing opportunity that requires an up-front payment (usually several hundred thousand dollars) and a monthly fee (usually a few thousand dollars), but it guarantees a roof over their head for the rest of their life.

Contact Old Glory Housing for Help!

At Old Glory Housing, we understand the demand for affordable housing opportunities and we’re dedicated to ensuring every senior has a quality place to call home. We give every home a fighting chance and transform each home to meet the unique needs of all low-income seniors. 

If you’re looking for low-income housing suitable for senior living, you’ve come to the right place. Contact Old Glory Housing today to learn more about how we can help you find the right senior housing for your loved ones. We can’t wait to help you and your family live a healthy life!