San Antonio, TX Senior Living
These days, humans are living longer than they ever have before. Plus, baby boomers are beginning to enter their later years. This means the United States has a larger proportion of older adults than at any other time in the past. Luckily, there are now several places that provide senior living in San Antonio, Texas to meet the increase in demand.
What Makes San Antonio Great?
Located in south central Texas, the City of San Antonio, as it is officially known, is the seventh most populous city in the United States with almost one and a half million people. San Antonio is best known for the Alamo Bowl, the River Walk, Spanish colonial missions, Marriage Island, the Tower of the Americas, and the Alamo. Plus, the city is visited by about 26 million tourists each year. Grandchildren love San Antonio because it is home to Six Flags Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld theme parks.
The entire state's top tourist attraction is the Alamo Mission in downtown San Antonio. This former Roman Catholic mission has earned the city the nickname "Alamo City." It is best known for spurring the saying "Remember the Alamo" after the pivotal Battle of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution in 1836. Texas's first museum of modern art, the McNay Art Museum, is also located in San Antonio. There are more than a dozen other art museums and institutions in town.
Why Older Adults Pick San Antonio
There are about 150,000 seniors aged 65 years or older in San Antonio. Golden agers love living in San Antonio for a variety of reasons. Taxes in Texas are among the lowest in the country. In fact, there are no income taxes. This means that workers can keep more of their earnings. The cost of living is also well below the national average. Housing, groceries, utilities, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses are all cheaper here. This is great news for retired people trying to make ends meet on a fixed income.
The weather is also ideal for seniors. The highs in the summer are in the mid-90s. In the winter, the lows are about 40 degrees, and if it snows at all, it is very light. When older adults need medical care, they are taken care of in San Antonio. The premier facility is the South Texas Medical Center, which is a conglomerate of several clinics, hospitals, and higher educational and research institutions.
Kinds of Senior Living
San Antonio senior living is provided by a broad range of residential communities. One of the most popular alternatives is assisted living facilities, or assisted living communities. They combine an independent atmosphere and lifestyle with access to medical care and onsite support. These communities generally offer apartment like units, personal care services, recreational activities, and dining. Assisted living communities incorporate a philosophy of promoting aging with independence and dignity while encouraging the involvement of family members and friends.
Adult day services, or adult day care centers, are another form of San Antonio senior living. During the day, these care facilities provide general supervision, recreational activities, and medical care. For seniors in need of additional care and companionship during the day, adult day services are an option when primary caregivers need to go to work or are away from the home.
For retirees who are still quite active and can take care of themselves, there is independent living. In these communities, older adults typically have their own private apartment or cottage. Plus, through social activities, socialization and active, healthy lifestyles are nurtured. There are also a wide variety of services available to residents. One form of independent living is senior apartments. Another is congregate housing, which has added supportive services, like transportation, meals, and housekeeping.
For older adults with chronic or long term illnesses, skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes are the best option. They provide around the clock nursing care and room and board. Physical, occupational, and other rehabilitative therapies are accessible to residents. Many of the residential community types listed above, especially nursing homes, specialize in memory care or Alzheimer's care.
San Antonio Keeps Golden Agers Active
There are two area agencies on aging in San Antonio: Bexar Area Agency on Aging and Alamo Area Agency on Aging. Both focus on helping seniors 60 years of age and older with services, such as transportation, referral and information, benefits counseling, care coordination services, and much more.
With the low cost of living, great weather, and senior care alternatives, it has never been a better time to look for senior living in San Antonio, TX.
