Whether you are looking into senior housing options for yourself or a loved one, it's good to know what's available here in the Blue Ridge Mountains for older adults who need extra support. Independent and Assisted Living communities offer a comfortable, home-like setting with options for continued care as needed. These communities include residential and personal care homes, memory care communities, rehabilitation, skilled nursing, hospice care, and respite care. They also offer social events, activities, and specialized accommodations for a variety of needs. (Feature photo: Givens Estate, Asheville)

Gardeners at Ardenwoods Retirement Community

Independent Living Communities: This setting is ideal for seniors who would like to rent or own housing (typically condos) with extra services like dining facilities, meals, housekeeping, linen service, social activities, and transportation. They are age-restricted and include home designs like wide doorways, no stairs, and other increased accessibility features. These communities provide a quiet setting, a key benefit to many seniors. 

Continuing Care Retirement Communities: This type of community (also known as CCRCs) offers a campus-like setting with individual homes, cottages, villas, and apartment buildings spread among several acres with many of the same amenities that active adult communities offer. What makes CCRCs distinct is their long term care advantage by having residential housing, services, and nursing care all in one location, allowing seniors to age in one place. They are a combination of retirement communities where residents can enjoy physical and financial security, privacy, independence, friends, community facilities, and access to health care. 

Assisted Living Communities: These communities provide personal care in a home-like setting for seniors who do not require constant care but need extra support with daily activities like eating, bathing, dressing, and medication management. They offer apartment-like settings where residents can enjoy their privacy while also having access to dining facilities, transportation, recreational events, health care, and more.