Best Places for Seniors to Live in Providence

Providence, Rhode Island, is a diverse mix of residents, with college students living in the downtown and East Side areas, business people and professors sharing neighborhoods surrounding the downtown and East Side, and families living in the outskirts of downtown. And right in the mix of all the varying age groups that populate the capital city are older adults, which the city embraces with a host of housing options. Their lifestyle, in addition to home ownership, ranges from living in senior designated apartment buildings or renting luxurious lofts in downtown, to living in active retirement communities that offer both independent and assisted living.

LUXURY LOFTS
Over the past few years, Providence has discovered greater demand for city living, especially by young retirees who want to be close to all the amenities a capital city has to offer. To serve this growing population, a number of luxury condominiums and apartments are available and continue to be built in the heart of downtown. Even old mills, most recently the Rising Sun Mills, are being converted to offer a spacious loft style living for people of all ages, including mature adults in the 55-70 age group.

What's more, older buildings in the city's downtown area, which were once home to shuttered department stores are being converted to urban loft-style living. Just recently opened in the space where the Peerless department store did business is the Westminster Lofts at 229 Westminster Street at the corner of Union Avenue. Each loft, while also individually unique, features high ceilings with exposed brick and wood beams, hardwood floors and a gourmet kitchen. Other units may include mezzanine platforms, the building's original columns, or frosted glass windows. The Peerless Building is also quite elegant, offering a stunning atrium in the entrance and a lovely roof deck.

More importantly, the Westminster Lofts offer active seniors immediate access to the arts and entertainment district. Just steps away are Trinity Repertory Company, the Providence Performing Arts Center, the historic Arcade shopping center, the Providence Public Library, numerous art galleries and an eclectic mix of fine dining options. A short walk will take residents to the Providence Place Mall, the Rhode Island Convention Center and the Providence Train Station.

Other similar style luxury condominiums are planned at 110 Westminster Street right next to the Arcade shopping center, alongside Memorial Boulevard next to the Westin Hotel, and around Waterplace Park, home to the world renowned Waterfire.

INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY LIVING
Active retirement homes are scattered throughout the city, mingling within neighborhoods, college areas and downcity life. One of the more elegant communities is EPOCH Senior Living, with two locations on Providence's East Side at 1 Butler Street overlooking the scenic Seekonk River, and on picturesque and chic Blackstone Boulevard.

EPOCH Senior Living offers senior living options that range from independent and assisted living to skilled nursing, rehabilitation and memory care. Independent living apartments are located within EPOCH's assisted living communities to provide seniors with an enjoyable, engaging lifestyle, without the worries of home ownership. Senior residents living at EPOCH East Side have a vast selection of cultural and social activities right outside their door. There are museums, community theaters, boutique shopping, movie houses, and more. If they prefer to stay onsite, they can enjoy a full spectrum of activities and programs, like topical lectures, computer classes, cooking exhibitions and musical events to complement their independent, active lifestyles. Other amenities include a state-of-the-art Fitness Center, indoor pool, Jacuzzi and well-stocked library. While seniors are enjoying life to its fullest, EPOCH handles all the chores, like laundry, housekeeping and gourmet meal preparation. The monthly rent includes such services, as well as 24-hour assistance if needed.

Across the city in Providence's Little Italy section, St. Joseph Living Center at 153 Dean Street offers residential programs for older adults. The apartments and independent and assisted living are in the heart of Federal Hill, where a diverse mix of gourmet food shops, fashion boutiques, restaurants and events can be found along Atwells Avenue.

St. Joseph's Living Center helps seniors maintain good health while keeping their independence in a safe, staff-supportive and home-life apartment complex. Along with activities, residents enjoy socializing in the building's enclosed rooftop patio or relaxing in the family rooms. As with other independent living centers, fine dining, weekly housekeeping and linen service, transportation and other services are included in the monthly rent. Seniors who need other assisted services, like medication monitoring or bathing and dressing assistance, pay accordingly for the customized services they may need.

Other independent living facilities in Providence include Charlesgate East Apartments Retirement Homes on 50 Randall Street; Highland Court, catered retirement living at 101 Highland Avenue on Providence's East Side; and the Village At Elmhurst, an urban retreat at 700 Smith Street whose apartments are located on the campus of Roger Williams Medical Center.

ASSISTED LIVING
In a beautiful, turn-of-the-century building in the city's Elmwood section is Saint Elizabeth Court, an assisted living facility that allows for seniors to live independently in apartments while receiving the medical and home health care assistance they may need. All the apartments at Saint Elizabeth Court boasts modern conveniences, like a kitchenette with a microwave and full refrigerator, a private bathroom with built-in seat and grab bars, cable television and heat/air conditioning with individual temperature control.

Residents also enjoy three daily meals prepared for them, housekeeping and laundry services, personal assistance, and an activity schedule with a wide choice of events and programs. They also have free use of the computer room with classes daily, an on-site chapel, a fitness center, arts and crafts room, a card and game room, a sitting room with fireplace, a library and a beautiful outdoor courtyard Also on the premises are a hair salon and country store. Bus excursions are also held every week.

At Tockwotton Home at 75 East Street in Providence, seniors who need some level of assistance can keep their independence while being cared for with a personalized service plan. Besides its assisted living residence with gorgeous views of Providence Harbor, the Tockwotton Home complex also includes a nursing home so residents can be easily transferred if their quality of life changes.

Tockwotton Home prides itself on its homey environment with gracious elegance. For instance, a garden solarium provides incredible views of the harbor, a central dining room offers a selection of meal choices, and an enclosed courtyard garden provides a lovely place to socialize or play bridge.

The Assisted Living residences offer spacious suites where seniors can furnish them with their own furniture from home. The monthly rent includes three meals a day, weekly housekeeping, scheduled transportation and more. Each day, seniors can enjoy on-site programs, activities and events, or step outside and partake in the conveniences of city living.

No matter what type of living arrangement our older generation seeks, they are sure to find a wealth of senior living options in Providence, Rhode Island, a cosmopolitan city that embraces its mature senior population.