Understanding Luxury Senior Living

Many seniors worry about the quality of life they may have after moving into senior living. While in the past residential senior communities may have been boring, dull places, today’s communities offer an exciting lifestyle with social activities, events, and amenities for residents to use. This is especially true of luxury senior living communities, which go above and beyond the basics to offer residents a lavish living environment for their golden years.

Each high-end senior living community offers similar staples: high-end dining, resort-like enrichment options, and units with views and nice appliances. This guide will help you parse the nice-to-haves and need-to-haves of luxury senior living, and help you determine if luxury senior living is the right fit for you.

Luxury senior living communities can be compared to the best cruise ships. Residents of luxury assisted living spaces experience perks like in-house spas and fitness classes, heated pools, and the use of tennis and golf courses. But perhaps the biggest perk is the varying levels of care; depending on the facility, luxury senior living can support residents from basic monitoring to memory care.

While each luxury senior living community will put its own opulent spin on amenities, a regular benefit of these communities is high-quality social stimulation. In addition to fancy meals and fitness classes, residents have the opportunity for excursions to local trendy areas and access to enrichment activities with their neighbors, like attending guest lectures, movie screenings, and other on-site activities.

High-end retirement homes typically employ a full staff, which is crucial in settings like luxury memory care communities. Luxury senior living locations might offer rehabilitation, a 24/7 nurse, and physical therapy, in addition to medication management and similar assisted living services.

For some residents, luxury senior living is a continuation of their pre-retirement lifestyle. If you or your loved one is accustomed to living in luxury, it benefits the overall quality of life to find a similarly high-end senior living community.

On the other hand, high-end senior living may be an exciting new venture. If you have the remaining finances to make an extremely posh final move, luxury senior living might be the right choice.

Below are some qualities which can indicate that you’re a good fit for luxury assisted living:

• You plan to spend your retirement engaging in activities like golf, tennis, and swimming, and want to live in a community with these facilities on site.
• You enjoy exclusivity.
• You saved money throughout your life so you could retire in style.
• You want unlimited access to personal care assistance and attentive staff.

High-end senior living is designed to dazzle, but don’t get distracted from these key points. Plan ahead: Is this luxury place equipped to keep caring for your loved one if their mobility worsens or they need more daily attention?

Luxury senior living is not one-size-fits-all. While many high-end retirement communities may have memory care support, residents who need hands-on attention or assistance may need to be in a luxury memory care facility that is more specialized.

Here are a few other factors to weigh in your luxury senior living search:

Geography impacts the kind of visual stimulation each high-end senior living community can offer. Luxury senior living centers in big cities might be in centrally located high rises with panoramic views, while high-end senior living communities in more rural areas might offer guided nature walks and patios that look into the embrace of nearby forests.

The accessibility of these places is a crucial part of your luxury senior living criteria. Are there handrails, grab bars, ramps, and elevators? Are all the doorways wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair? If your loved one’s level of care increases or their mobility decreases, make sure the community can provide support so you don’t have to find a new facility.

Any amenity you can find at a resort, you can find in many high-end senior living communities. Things like spas, salons, fitness centers, and sports courts join the usual perks of senior living – laundry, meal preparation, and as-needed personal care service.

Of course in luxury senior living, even these basics are dressed up a little. Meal services are often chef-prepared off a trendy menu. Laundry might be in-unit and something a room attendant handles on behalf of the resident. Some high-end retirement communities even have dog walkers residents can use.

When you and your loved one go on tours, try to speak with some current residents to get a feel for the amenities and if they are as advertised.

Like anything luxurious, luxury senior living costs a premium. High-end senior living communities charge an entrance fee when a resident joins the community. Luxury senior living entry fees can run between $68,000- $370,000. Some high-end independent living communities can cost up to $1 million.

Then comes the monthly rent, often dependent on what type of unit you or your loved one chooses. Luxury senior living monthly fees can start at $3,000/month.

Before you sign the move-in paperwork, understand what the rent contract is. Some luxury senior living communities will not refund you if your loved one passes away. Others may give you a partial refund, meaning you’ll get back a set percentage of the entrance fee – if it’s in their contract. If you can, get a lawyer to look over your loved one’s luxury senior living contract before anyone signs it.

As Medicaid eligibility is based on having a low income, those who can afford luxury senior living won’t qualify to have insurance foot the bill. Long-term care insurance might cover some luxury nursing homes, but not independent living.

Much of high-end senior living falls into this category since many luxury senior living amenities require residents to be mobile and somewhat independent to enjoy them.

Many high-end senior living communities are for residents who are looking to simplify their lives and don’t need medical care. Instead, the community provides property management and maintenance services, the way an apartment complex might. Baseline medical services in most luxury retirement communities include health monitoring and a 24/7 staff nurse.

For residents that need non-medical help with activities of daily living (ADLs), luxury assisted living is an option. Some luxury senior living communities might have multiple support tiers within one community, while other high-end senior living locations may specialize in just one mode of care.

Services and amenities you can expect with luxury assisted living include:

• Help with ADLs
• Transportation services
• Excursions to the local area
• Upscale meals
• Medication management
• Planned on-site social events

Luxury nursing homes are harder to come by, as many luxury senior living options offer mostly independent or assisted living. Luxury nursing homes differ from traditional nursing homes because they often have more staff and updated therapy gyms.

Services and amenities you can expect with luxury nursing homes include:

• Specialized care from skilled nurses
• On-site therapies (physical, aroma, occupational, etc.)
• Chef-prepared meals
• Coordinated social events

Though elements like apartment layout might diverge slightly from the main luxury senior living experience, many high-end senior living facilities offer luxury memory care. Just make sure that if your loved one needs luxury memory care, they aren’t in a “memory support” branch of a luxury retirement community focused more on independent or assisted living.

Services and amenities you can expect with luxury memory care include:

• Easy-to-navigate apartments and rooms
• Decor and activities that spark memories
• Enclosed courtyards
• Sensory therapies

• New 19-story complex designed by renowned firm Champalimaud
• Chef-prepared menu featuring seasonal options, wine and beer served by professionally-trained waitstaff
• Wellness center and fitness suite with class options including Mind Body Spirit Centering
• Partnership with MoMA and other cultural centers in the city
• Offers assisted living and memory care in a dedicated Reminiscence Community

The Apsley by Sunrise is a new community designed to match the character of its Upper West Side neighborhood. It has amenities including a dedicated art studio, wellness suite, full-service salon, jazz lounge, and more.

Residences range from studios to two-bedroom apartments, some with panoramic views of the city. The community uses circadian rhythm lighting, specifically designed to mimic natural light for better sleep and more daytime energy, and is outfitted with induction loop acoustics to keep outside noise to a minimum.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Reviewers love how The Apsley doesn’t feel like a normal senior living community. A daughter of one resident said, “The Apsley is for the young at heart… If you are looking for the best place to restart your parent’s life, The Apsley is just what the doctor ordered. It makes the next stage, a fun stage. And at 95, that’s a very big promise.” Other happy reviewers mention the view of the Hudson River and amenities like the restaurant’s sommelier, museum trips, and academic lectures.

• On-demand concierge services
• Locally sourced cuisine prepared by a professionally trained executive chef and tailored to residents’ nutritional needs
• Wellness services including a holistic nutrition program, meditation and walking groups, and massages
• Offers assisted living and memory care in a secure Reminiscence Neighborhood

Sunrise at East 56th is a luxury senior living community located at the intersection of the Upper East Side and Midtown East. Its convenient location provides easy access to attractions including the MoMA, Carnegie Hall, and the Met. The community features outdoor terraces with city views, art studios, multiple dining venues, serene courtyards, and a wellness suite with a fitness center.

In addition to these amenities, Sunrise at East 56th has additional lifestyle services including 24-hour doormen, on-demand assistance from a concierge, and personal transportation. Individual residences, designed by the firm Champalimaud, have large windows and high-end finishes.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Reviewers of Sunrise at East 56th frequently mention the elegant building and helpfulness of the staff. One reviewer whose husband is in memory care at the community said, “The place is gorgeous. The care is very empathetic and professional. I couldn’t be happier… The rooms are beautiful. They are very accessible, and they listen to you. They are concerned about the family’s needs.” Another family member of a resident said they “could not be more pleased and impressed by everything.”

• Sky Terrace with stunning views of Manhattan
• Located near the High Line, Hudson River Park, and Shops at Hudson Yards
• Salon for professional styling and luxury nail care services
• Modern facilities for exercise and wellness including a fitness center and yoga studio
• Offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care

Coterie Hudson Yards is a luxury senior living community in the heart of New York City designed by the renowned March and White Design firm. The community’s private residences feature upscale design choices like floor-to-ceiling windows, spa baths, and premium finishes. Other amenities include the on-site salon, state-of-the-art fitness and yoga studio with training sessions from certified Elevate Health trainers, and Sky Terrace which offers al fresco dining with a view.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Reviewers of Coterie Hudson Yards praise the building itself and the excellent staff. One reviewer explained “This is the best of the best. They truly care about their residents and the facility is spectacular. There are great events and a wonderful community atmosphere from the moment you enter the front door. The apartments are truly a dream and the food is top notch.”

• Conveniently located in the heart of Westwood, near Beverly Hills, UCLA Medical Center, and Santa Monica
• Chef-prepared dining with 24 daily menu choices
• Outdoor areas including a swimming pool and dining patio
• Offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care

Located on Wilshire Boulevard in Westwood, Belmont Village Westwood offers a luxurious living experience for seniors with a wide range of upscale amenities. The community boasts a professionally supervised fitness center, a salon for both men and women and a screening room for movies and entertainment. Residents can savor chef-prepared meals with 24 daily options, dine on the exterior patio, and swim in the outdoor pool.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Reviewers note the location, the professionalism of the staff, and the quality of food as highlights of Belmont Village Westwood. One current resident said, “The food is excellent, [and] the staff is extremely capable.” Another reviewer whose close friend lives in the community said, “Unlike other assisted living providers with reputations for being cold and clinical settings with detached staff, it is a warm and friendly place… The architecture was done right: bright, open, with lots of windows.”

• 24-hour concierge
• Daily chauffeur service
• Landscaped courtyard with heated spa
• Master chef-prepared meals
• Offers independent and assisted living

Atria Tarzana is a resort-style community nestled in the San Fernando Valley, designed to help adults age comfortably and actively. With the help of attentive 24-hour staff, residents can enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle with transportation, housekeeping, and linen services provided. The community maintains a full schedule of activities and social events as part of its Engage Life® program. It also offers amenities like a landscaped courtyard, a hot tub, a movie theater, and a library.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Reviewers praise Atria Tarzana’s social activities, cleanliness, and staff. One reviewer whose mother lives in the community said, “Great community and staff! The daily activists keep the residents engaged and busy throughout the day. There’s a wide range of classes and the instructors are awesome… The food is delicious and the events are a blast. We are really happy we chose to go with Atria Tarzana.” Another confirmed, “I know my mom is well taken care of and I don’t have to worry about her.”

• Fitness center and classes including yoga and tai-chi
• Chef-prepared meals served in a restaurant-style dining room plus on-site bistro
• Beautifully landscaped grounds
• Pet-friendly community
• Offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care

Belmont Village Hollywood Heights is conveniently located near the Hollywood Bowl and other entertainment and dining destinations, which residents can access via the complimentary scheduled transportation service. Residents can also enjoy numerous on-site amenities including a full-service salon, screening room, and fitness center. The outdoor patio features beautiful landscaping and several different comfortable seating options.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Reviewers of Belmont Village Hollywood Heights frequently mention the attentive staff, comfortable apartments, and community amenities. One visitor said, “I really loved Belmont Village Hollywood Heights. It’s organized, and the people were professional, secure, clean, and happy. The activities and amenities are also nice.”

• Resort-style services and amenities
• Connected to the shopping, dining, and entertainment options of The Villages Town Squares
• Heated indoor pool
• Chef-prepared meals with changing menus and seasonal ingredients
• Life Care community offering the full continuum of care

Freedom Pointe, part of The Villages in Florida, is a premier senior living community offering maintenance-free living at all levels of care. In addition to lawn care and ground maintenance, the community provides residents with regular housekeeping, chef-prepared dining, and personal concierge service. Freedom Pointe features a heated indoor pool, a wellness center with a fully-equipped gym, extensive walking and biking trails, and access to numerous golf courses.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Reviewers frequently comment on the cleanliness of the community and its attentive and friendly staff. One visitor said, “Freedom Pointe at The Villages was very clean, and the personnel were very professional. They have a nice environment.” Another reviewer whose loved one lives in the community said, “My aunt loves it at Freedom Pointe at the Villages. She loves the food, she says it’s beautiful, and she’s very happy there.”

• Concierge service
• Landscaped gardens and walkways
• Daily happy hour
• Partnership with the University of Miami Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
• Offers assisted living

The Palace Royale is an elgeantly-designed community with ample outdoor space located in Miami. Surrounded by palm trees and greenery, residents can enjoy the landscaping by relaxing on the patio or strolling one of the walkways. Gourmet meals are served in the sit-down dining room, and daily happy hour takes place at the on-site bar. Additional services include 24-hour security, a concierge, and daily housekeeping.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Reviewers frequently mention the large living spaces, accommodating and professional staff, and dining at The Palace Royale. The niece of one resident says the community has “gone above and beyond” for their aunt, and “it’s all done with dignity. We couldn’t be happier with this arrangement. Grateful for their care.” Another reviewer described The Palace Royale as “like a 5 star hotel.”

• Housekeeping, laundry, and linen services
• Farm-to-table inspired dining
• Tranquil, landscaped outdoor gardens
• Pet-friendly community
• Offers assisted living and memory care

HarborChase of Sarasota is a luxurious senior living community located in a stunning coastal area of Florida, just a short drive from the Gulf Coast’s beautiful beaches. The community offers multiple gourmet dining experiences, including Fusion Lounge and Zest Private Dining, which feature constantly changing menus with seasonal ingredients. Residents can relax in the outdoor gardens, practice their golf skills on the on-site putting green and get pampered in the community salon and spa.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Reviewers love the immaculate grounds and interiors. They also praise the memory care, onsite activities, and entertainment options. The closeness to the white sand beaches of Sarasota is another common praise. However, reviewers mention that residents don’t always want to leave since the place is so comfortable and clean.

Since most luxury senior living centers are either luxury assisted living or high-end independent living, the staff may have training in health monitoring only. If your loved one needs luxury memory care, or the attention of a high-end nursing home, you’ll need to ensure the care home is certified for memory care and other attentive medical tasks.

Questions you can ask include:

• What kind of training does the staff have?
• How high is staff turnover?
• Is there a specialized and certified memory care unit?
• How does the staff handle emergency evacuations?

Luxury assisted living communities are often able to provide therapies, ADL assistance, and medication management.

Questions you can ask include:

• Is there a visiting doctor?
• Do you have a 24/7 nurse?
• What sort of therapies do you offer?
• What is your medication management routine?

“Luxury” isn’t one-size-fits-all. Though all luxury communities will have services and amenities beyond more standard senior living communities, the exact draws of each community will vary. It’s important to ask questions to ensure you find a community that offers the specific things you’re looking for in luxury senior living.

Questions you can ask include:

• What kinds of excursions are nearby?
• Does the on-site salon know how to style natural hair?
• How often does the media center get new books and movies?
• Can I schedule private pool time?

What are some common amenities offered in luxury assisted living facilities?

Common luxury senior living amenities include fine dining, nice appliances, and resort-like enrichment activities like salons and various sports courts. On the medical side, luxury assisted living may offer massage and water therapies, or have state-of-the-art spaces for occupational and physical therapies.

What types of services and care can I expect from a luxury assisted living facility?

Some luxury assisted living facilities offer a continuation of care and can increase supervision of and attention to your loved one as their stay goes on. Many high-end assisted living facilities focus on providing ADL assistance, medication management, and non-medical help.

How can I determine if a luxury assisted living facility is within my budget?

To determine if you can afford luxury senior living for yourself or your loved one, estimate how many months the stay will be, multiply that by the monthly rent in the contract, and add that to the entrance fee. Many luxury assisted living facilities charge both an entrance fee and a monthly rent. Entrance fees fall anywhere from $68,000 -$1,000,000, and monthly rent often costs around $3,000/month.

Are there any additional fees or costs to consider when choosing a luxury assisted living facility?

When choosing a luxury assisted living facility, consider that cost breakdown varies from community to community. Some luxury assisted living may be all-inclusive. Beyond the entrance fee, other fees you or your loved one can expect might include laundry, medication management, use of gyms/ spas, or a “facility” fee that may cover on-campus nursing or doctor clinic visits.