Senior Living Amenities

Common Assisted Living Amenities

If you choose to live in an assisted living facility, you may need help with individual daily needs but are probably still fairly independent. You can enjoy a wide variety of amenities.

At these facilities, you’ll typically find these amenities:

• Restaurant-style dining: Meals that fit dietary needs given in a communal setting promote health and socialization.
• Recreational and activity rooms: Spaces for games, arts and crafts, and community events foster social engagement and interaction.
• Transportation: Scheduled transportation for medical appointments, shopping, and social activities helps with mobility and accessibility.
• Housekeeping services: On-site services help seniors maintain a hygienic and comfortable living environment.
• Medical assistance: Support for medication management and minor medical needs keeps residents healthy.
• Laundry services: On-site facilities or services are convenient and enable residents to maintain their appearance and hygiene.
• Fitness rooms: Exercise rooms promote fitness activities and physical health.
• Beauty salons and barber shops: On-site services for haircuts, styling, and grooming are popular and help residents’ self-esteem.
• Private dining room: Spaces to host family and friends enhance social connections and bonds.
• Computers and telehealth services: Office-like areas for the internet and online consultations with health-care providers enhance residents’ connections, knowledge, and health.
• Pet-friendly: If you have a pet, ask if your new home is pet-friendly. Many assisted living facilities see the benefits of seniors having their pets with them, but you should still ask since policies vary from one facility to another.

Retirement Community Amenities

Seniors living in a retirement community are usually still independent and pretty active. Older adults in active senior living facilities may do all sorts of physical activities. They likely moved into a facility because their home’s upkeep was too much to handle, they wanted to reside with peers who are over 55, and they desired amenities.

The most common amenities found in retirement communities include:

• Clubhouse
• Exercise facilities or gym
• Activity rooms for crafts and socialization
• Clubs for various interests
• Beauty salons
• Indoor or outdoor pools
• Security services
• Maintenance services

Amenities can vary, since there are many types of retirement communities. High-end retirement communities may offer amenities that mirror those at fine hotels. Upscale 55-plus communities may offer everything on the list above, along with marinas, golf courses, and biking and hiking trails.

Some choose to live in unique retirement communities that cater to their interests. “Big toy” enthusiasts, for example, can live in a community with garages big enough to store trucks, boats, and vintage cars. Pilots can choose a special community with runways and taxiways for their private planes. Those of Asian descent who prefer to live with fellow Indian or Chinese seniors can choose a specialized community that fits their needs.

Nursing Home Amenities

People living in nursing homes typically need around-the-clock care. They often have chronic conditions that require more medical help. Residents are monitored 24 hours a day and can also receive different types of therapy as part of their stay. Some people stay at these nursing facilities temporarily to recover from surgery or illness, but others are there for the duration.

Despite a focus on medical care, nursing homes also offer various amenities to give residents a more well-rounded experience and to make their environment feel like home.

Amenities at nursing homes across the United States often include:

• Laundry services: Ensuring that residents have clean clothing and linens promotes hygiene and comfort.
• Beauty salons and barber shops: Convenient access to personal-care services enhances residents’ self-esteem and hygiene.
• Community rooms: Communal areas facilitate events and increase social interaction and community connections.
• Transportation services: Transportation to medical appointments and social outings benefits physical and mental health.
• Outdoor patios and gardens: Helping residents enjoy nature and relax contributes to improved well-being.
• Game and activity rooms: Entertainment rooms offer opportunities for fun leisure activities and social interaction.
• Fitness and exercise rooms: These rooms promote physical activity, good health, and fitness.
• Cafes or snack bars: A casual dining area to meet up in promotes social connectedness.

No matter which type of senior living you choose, know that many communities hold social hours to facilitate resident meeting and interacting. It affords great opportunities to get to know other people living in your community and to learn who shares the same interests.

Questions to Ask About Amenities

Many amenities may be included in the price of the senior living options mentioned, but you should confirm with your community since you may be charged fees for some amenities. It may not be clear or transparent, so be sure to ask questions in advance. Access to the main dining room is almost always included in room and board, for example, but access to specialty restaurants or other on-site food services may have a separate fee. Room service may also add to your bill.

As you tour various senior living options, here are some other things you may want to ask:

• Is there a charge to use the beauty salon and barber shop?
• Which activities, such as classes and workshops, are included?
• Is all internet service free?
• Are there fees for group outings?
• What transportation is available and is there an extra fee to use it?

Expect to pay for particular or specialized services. Even if you incur a charge, the prices are often dramatically discounted. You’ll likely pay only a fraction of what you’d pay outside the facility or community.

Trends in Amenities Being Offered

Senior living communities are enhancing their offerings to remain competitive. The trends reflect more of a focus on luxury and overall wellness for residents in the following areas:

• Gourmet and healthy foods: Like the rest of society, seniors are seeking healthier food choices, including having organic, locally sourced ingredients in their food and high-quality dining options.
• Holistic health: Residents want a variety of fitness and wellness offerings, including yoga and meditation classes, health-related coaching, and spa treatments. There’s a movement toward functional and holistic health.​
• Technology: Smart-home technology, such as Amazon’s Alexa, helps residents control room temperature and their room environment with voice commands. Mobile apps and touch-screen kiosks help residents easily schedule activities and communicate with staff. Automated transportation services help residents call for rides on demand using tech similar to Uber.
• Nature: Senior communities are investing in and paying more attention to outdoor gardens and walking trails. Connecting their residents with the natural environment is becoming more of a priority.

If you have questions about various senior living options and amenities, call us toll-free on our helpline. We would be happy to assist you as you decide which type of senior living option is best for you. You can also browse the communities found in our directory and find the amenities that are most important to you.