As the elderly population grows, so do senior community services. These services may be non profit, provided by the government, or for-profit organizations. Urban and suburban residents have greater access to these services than do rural residents, and the quality of service may vary within communities.

Local senior communities
Usually, local senior communities will offer companionship. Thats in addition to other services, including classes, recreational opportunities, travel, volunteer opportunities, flu shots, and meals. Senior communities are often the heart of activities for older people and are a good resource for additional information.

Transportation services
Sometimes senior communities will offer transportation services for visits to the doctor, to the grocery store and so on. Trips may be limited, however, and sometimes transportation services are only available to those in certain income levels.

Companion programs
Community groups may sponsor friendly visitor or companion programs, where volunteers make scheduled visits to isolated seniors in their homes. There are also telephone reassurance programs, where volunteers call people to chat and check on their well being. Some public utilities and the U.S. Postal Service offer gatekeeper or home observation programs, in which service people who visit the home regularly are trained to notice anything unusual and report it for investigation and action.

Independent and assisted living programs
A senior community can also take the form of independent or assisted living housing, and residents may live in 2 bedroom villas or skyloft apartments. A senior community usually also offers basic services such as utilities, diversified activity programs, an exercise program, health monitoring services, maintenance, scheduled transportation to shopping and appointments, meals, weekly housekeeping, and wellness programs and assisted living. The senior community also offers features that make it self-sustaining, so that residents do not have to leave the community if they do not want to. These features include some or all of the following:

• Arts and crafts center
• Beauty/barber shop
• Billiards room
• Free laundry facilities
• General Store
• Guest apartment if available
• Individually-locked mailboxes
• Library and living room

Services offered by assisted living programs
Most assisted living programs offer some or all of the following personalized health services:

• medication assistance
• 24-hour staff
• assistance with personal hygiene
• bathing, grooming and dressing
• 3 meals per day, with snacks
• escort to meals and activities
• evening assistance at bedtime

What is congregate living?
Congregate living, or independent living, is another form of senior communities. It caters to those who want to live among people their own age and have access to amenities such as chef-prepared meals, fitness programs and transportation services. Typically they are rental communities, although in some cases individuals can purchase a home or participate in a buy-in program.

What is special care?
Special care usually applies to specialized services for memory impaired residents. Staff members have experience caring for residents with Alzheimers and dementia. Stimulated activities are created with special attention to the needs of patients with Alzheimers.