Retirement Communities and Assisted Living for Senior Citizens in San Antonio
However, individuals 65 and older prefer to stay put, the bureau reports. Less than 6 percent of this age group changes their geographic location. In addition, more than half of these senior citizens reside in nine states, including Texas, which has more than a million.
The urban area of San Antonio and surrounding suburbs offer a variety of excellent senior housing and support services, according to the Seniors Resources Guide Directory for San Antonio. The entire region also offers many lifestyle options for seniors and their families.
The Alamo City climate is subtropical with an average of 227 sunny days yearly and not as humid as such southern cities as Houston, New Orleans and Miami. Annual precipitation is 28 inches. The last time it snowed was in 1987. January temperatures are usually in the 50s and summers average about 90 degrees.
Senior housing in South Texas ranges from active independent living and retirement communities to assisted living and continuum of care facilities.
Independent living refers to retirement communities designed for active seniors. They usually feature low-maintenance apartments, condominiums, townhouses or ranch-style residences.
Communities may be designed around recreational activities such as golf, swimming, boating or fitness. Amenities vary and may have age-restriction covenants.
Villa de San Antonio marketing office
8003 North Hollow
San Antonio, TX 78240
210-558-7600
The Villa consists of cottages and apartments with the emphasis on health, wellness and independence. There’s a covered outdoor pool and a fitness-wellness center, plus a plethora of amenities.
Cottages include a garage and sunroom while apartments have covered parking. Either has a balcony or patio. Monthly fees include meal plans, basic cable television, housekeeping and maintenance.
The gated development, with a community center and game room, is located in a quiet neighborhood near shopping malls, banks, restaurants and the South Texas Medical Center. There also are apartments for assisted living, combining personal care and medical oversight.
Retirement communities offer apartment living on a rental basis. Communal dining and a full range of activities are available. Housekeeping, laundry and assisted living services are sometimes available.
Timberhill Villa
5050 Timberhill
San Antonio, TX 78238
210-684-3480
Preparing to celebrate its silver anniversary in 2006, Timberhill was designed after traditional Mediterranean villas. The Saltillo tile entry and dark woods in the reception area are reminiscent of the heritage and history of early Texas.
A unique blend of antiques, paintings, folk art and whimsical treasures are on each floor, adding to the warmth of surroundings. Each apartment includes plush carpeting in living and bedroom areas, plus a patio or balcony.
The open mezzanine features a dance floor, plus a piano and game tables. Activities include bingo, dominos, cards, jigsaw puzzles and board games.
There are exercise classes and country western dancing to keep one fit. For those who love to read, a library is on the first floor. Other amenities include a pool and community center.
The Timberhill, located in a well-established Northwest San Antonio neighborhood, is adding two-bedroom, two-bath cottages with porches.
Assisted living facilities have an independent environment with 24-hour personal assistance. There are several options: freestanding large facilities, personal care boarding homes or continuum of care facilities.
Services usually include communal meals, housekeeping, social activities and assistance based on personal needs.
Kingsley Place at the Medical Center
9000 Floyd Curl Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78240
877-264-4118
There are many options that provide different types of services. Trained professionals monitor care around the clock of residents with Alzheimer’s, dementia or diabetes.
Furnished apartments are wheelchair assessable and include step-in showers and an emergency call system. Care suites are designed to let older adults with memory impairment feel at home and more secure.
Community features range from special diets and a fitness program to a recreation room and library. Transportation is provided for day trips for residents.
The professional staff, available to talk with or to residents and family members in an intimate setting, organizes special programs and planned activities.
Continuum of care retirement communities feature care levels at the same location from retirement housing to assisted living and skilled nursing. As health needs change, residents can move through the levels of care without moving.
Incarnate Word Retirement Community
4707 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78209
210-829-7561
The not-for-profit retirement community is located in Alamo Heights, a serene setting of 154 acres of landscaped grounds in a safe, secure environment.
Apartment homes, with step-in showers, have a variety of floor plans. Some have a balcony or patio. There are elevators.
The community, which provides up to three meals a day, has a swimming pool, whirlpool spa, recreation room and library.
Assisted living provides options designed to meet individual needs while allowing residents to continue an independent lifestyle and maintain their own schedule.
Residents can choose one or two bedroom apartments without a kitchen because there’s a community kitchen on each floor with free snacks and beverages and three meals are served daily. Assisted living is staffed 24 hours a day with licensed nurses and attendants.
Extended care provides quality, compassionate care in a setting that offers comfort and security. In addition, it offers private and semi-private rooms, an emergency call system, restorative aid and hospice care.
Deciding where to live as one ages presents challenges. Anticipating and planning is difficult because how well a person ages and how long he or she lives is unpredictable. The average American, however, is living longer, increasing the potential for chronic health conditions that could threaten independence.
The most important factors for evaluating housing options: becoming familiar with senior housing choices as well as the health and mobility criteria for residing in various types of residence levels. Since many locations have waiting lists, it’s imperative to begin looking around early.
San Antonio is an appealing city for seniors. It has a strong economy and low cost of living compared to other similar urban areas across the country.
The military has a strong presence in the area with four Air Force bases. Quite a few ex-service people have retired in the Alamo City.
Air Force Villages
5100 John D. Ryan Blvd.
San Antonio, TX 78245
800-762-1122
Air Force Villages I and II, located in Southwest San Antonio, are communities for retired and honorably discharged officers, their spouses, widow or widowers and elderly dependents.
Air Force Village I, located on 30 acres, has more than 360 independent living apartments, Wellness Clinic, assisted living facility and health care center with more than 100 licensed skilled nursing facility beds.
Air Force Village II, located on 660 acres, has more than 400 independent living apartments, Wellness Clinic, home health care services, nearly three-dozen assisted living facility beds and more than 65 skilled nursing facility beds.
A broad range of more than two-dozen programs promotes and supports cultural, recreational, social and spiritual needs at both non-profit villages.
Each residence, designed for personal comfort, safety and efficient use of space, has a balcony or patio. Each year many tower and garden apartments are renovated.
