If you are considering a move to a new senior facility than a serviced apartment might be the right choice for you or your loved ones. But what defines a serviced apartment and who should consider living in them?
What Is A Serviced Apartment?
A serviced apartment is a type of senior living facility. When investigating them you’ll have to be sure not to confuse a senior-focused serviced apartment with a general services apartment, as both exist and the needs of the inhabitants aren’t always the same.
A typical serviced apartment, sometimes known as an “extended stay apartment” is a fully-furnished apartment that you can rent for a mid- to long-term stay. You’ll get many of the features of a hotel, but
Serviced apartments will be fully furnished, and they will have hotel-like amenities, like cleaning staff and building staff, like a doorman and porters. The build, its grounds, and the apartment maintenance will be done by the staff. This is way the apartment is “serviced.”
Serviced apartments differ from hotels in that they will usually be larger spaces and the rooms will generally have a kitchen, kitchenette, or some other food preparation area. Many will have a dishwasher as well. Some apartments will have a washing machine and dryer as well, though many will have shared facilities, such as a laundromat room in the building.
Serviced apartments will be prepared for people who are going to have an extended stay, offering help with mail and packages, where you wouldn’t see these as being common with a hotel.
Serviced apartments and their extended stay model will be cheaper than a hotel, but you will need to stay for weeks or even months to realize these benefits. Expect to spend about 40-50% less than a hotel, though this can vary based on the size of the apartment and the facilities amenities, as well las the location.
Serviced Apartments For Seniors
Many serviced apartments are aimed at workers who have to travel to a city for work and plan on staying in that place for a few months. The needs of these traveling workers isn’t drastically different than that of a senior who doesn’t want to be concerned with cleaning and building maintenance. Such an apartment will sometimes offer a senior discount, making the general population apartment building more attractive for seniors.
Other serviced apartments will be focused on seniors or will be part of a large senior living community, so people can transition from home ownership, to a serviced apartment, and then later to other forms of living that provide more care and amenities.
An important aspect of senior living is the community and activities around the community. A typical serviced apartment setting will lack the community events of a senior living facility, unless it’s placed on a larger senior-focused campus. This means that amenities like transportation and outings will not typically be available.
As you have gathered, serviced apartments require a high level of autonomy. They are best for people who are still driving or have easy access to transportation. These are not part of a state licensed housing facility program and will not have medical or otherwise trained staff on hand. Rather, serviced apartments are a type of transition housing which offer autonomy while reducing housing work and related headaches. They are a good step for people who have downsizes but aren’t yet ready for finding a nursing home or similar high acuity care home.