10 Best Independent Living Communities in Fort Wayne, IN

People who move to independent living communities in Fort Wayne typically pay for their monthly rent out of pocket. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to use private pay methods alone to cover all the costs of independent living in Indiana. Many seniors leverage a variety of payment types to offset other fees and costs. Although long-term care insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid cannot cover the cost of independent living communities directly, they can help seniors pay for their medically necessary in-home care services at their place of residence. Below you will find information on private pay, VA benefits, and Medicare and Medicaid resources for seniors.

It’s important to note that standalone independent living facilities are not regulated as health care facilities since they do not provide health-related services. However, they must follow all Fort Wayne housing laws, regulations, and requirements listed below.

• The Fair Housing Act and the Fair Housing for Seniors in Indiana Guidebook provide policies to protect people from discrimination from property managers and owners. The Fair Housing Act also contains the Housing for Older Persons exemption, which protects seniors 55 and older from renting a house that has not been approved.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures those with disabilities receive housing arrangements with accommodations for their needs.
• Indiana’s Landlord Tenant Laws is a resource that lists all the responsibilities for both tenants and landlords in Fort Wayne, which includes independent living arrangements.

All independent living facilities that are connected to assisted living and memory care facilities must be licensed. There are five of these types of facilities in A Place for Mom’s network in Fort Wayne. The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) regulates and inspects all Residential Care Facilities (RCFs) to ensure that they meet certain standards for health, safety, and quality of care. The licensing requirements for RCFs in Indiana include a variety of factors such as staffing levels, training requirements, resident rights, and other regulations aimed at promoting the well-being and safety of residents.

If you’re interested in seeing inspection reports from the surveys that are conducted by the IDOH every 9 to 15 months or any of the Residential Care Facilities in Fort Wayne, you can search the reports online by choosing Residential Care Facilities from the right-hand side of the page. Complete instructions are provided on the website to help you navigate the system.

Indiana Department of Health contact information

Indiana Department of Health
2 N. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone 317-233-1325
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Fort Wayne independent living communities

The current spread of COVID-19 is low in Fort Wayne and surrounding neighborhoods. Accordingly, as is the case in so many other states and municipalities across the country, Indiana and Fort Wayne have lifted COVID-19 mandates that were previously in place. This includes mandates for independent living communities.

Nevertheless, government agencies still recommend that all individuals take precautionary measures to stay as healthy as possible by following  Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.

As a senior interested in moving to an independent living facility in Fort Wayne, you’ll be pleased to know that you have a variety of options. Each independent living community has its own atmosphere, offering unique amenities and apartments designed for residents who want to live an active lifestyle. Whether you want to relocate alone or with a spouse/partner, you have plenty of housing arrangements to choose from.

Aging gracefully in a welcoming community

What can you expect when you choose Fort Wayne as your next home? One hallmark of Fort Wayne is its reputation for being a welcoming place to people of all ages. Fort Wayne offers all the benefits of a large city, such as access to parks, museums, and shopping centers, but maintains a strong local feel. This makes it easier for you to feel at home sooner after moving to an independent living community — even if you’re new to Fort Wayne.

Another reason to consider Fort Wayne is the way many of the independent living communities are set up. Rather than being standalone facilities, the majority (83%) are combined with other types of aging in place housing options. These include assisted living and memory care units.

The advantage to considering an independent living community that’s more progressive in its offerings is that you can transition through life’s later stages without leaving the community you’re in.

Freedom to be who you want to be

You shouldn’t have to give up your favorite hobbies, activities, or goals just because you move to an independent living community. In fact, the most robust independent living facilities are designed to give you the freedom to do what you want without worrying about paying for a new roof, shoveling snowy walkways, or worrying about nagging home maintenance responsibilities.

For instance, two-thirds of the independent living communities associated with A Place for Mom offer onsite activities and group excursions. Another 67% feature arts and crafts centers, fitness centers, and gardens, while 83% boast game rooms, theater rooms, and private dining rooms if you’d like to eat with guests. And with all the independent living communities providing complimentary transportation as well as resident parking, you never have to worry about getting where you want to go.

Apartment Layouts With Accommodations

If you, your spouse, or your partner need special accommodations, you’ll find them in Fort Wayne independent living communities. These facilities are architecturally arranged to make it simpler and safer for senior residents to move around. Examples of these types of amenities can include walk-in bathtubs, working fireplaces for added warmth and ambiance and extra-wide door frames. These accommodations may sound like little things” but together can add up to a better, more secure quality of life.

Health care for seniors in Fort Wayne

Transportation for seniors in Fort Wayne

Walk Score, which rates cities on how easy it is to get around, only gives a 25 out of 100 for walkability and an overall bike score of 32 out of 100.^[07] That means Fort Wayne is not easily traversed by foot or by bike. If you’re someone who enjoys walking or biking as part of your everyday exercise regimen, you may want to drive or take the bus to one of the many parks and trails in Fort Wayne.

The good news is there are buses that travel all throughout the city, and 67% of our partner independent living facilities are conveniently located near public transportation. Thanks to a comprehensive, user-friendly bus system maintained by Citilink Bus, you can likely locate a bus stop close to your independent living community. Be sure to check out this video on how to use the bus system if you are unfamiliar. Always look up route times and schedules before you plan for travel using the Citilink Bus, as departure times can vary during holidays. You may not need the public bus at all since all of our partner facilities offer complimentary transportation.

It’s worth noting that the buses in Fort Wayne don’t operate on Sundays. That’s okay, though, because you can always count on an Uber, Lyft, or other third-party rideshare service to get you from your home to wherever you’d like to go. If you’re looking for a transportation service that’s aimed at seniors, try the Community Transportation Network (CTN). The CTN is a nonprofit agency that provides shuttles for seniors who can’t access or afford other kinds of transportation in Fort Wayne.

Senior activities in Fort Wayne

One of the biggest benefits of entering your retirement years is having more time to engage in all the activities that you love. As a resident of Fort Wayne, you won’t have any trouble filling your social calendar with things to do. Whether you’re someone who can’t get enough of nature’s wonders, likes to spend time at museums, enjoys live performances and events, or revels in the chance to try unique cuisine, you’ll find exactly what you want in Fort Wayne.

The outdoor lifestyle

When the weather’s nice, you can get outside and take advantage of the 80+ parks around the Fort Wayne area. Lakeside Park and Rose Garden include a rose garden, pickleball, tennis and basketball courts, as well as many pavilions located around the lake — a perfect spot for a day with friends or family.

If you are looking for something a little more adventurous, try taking a trip to Promenade Park. At Promenade Park you can paddle through Fort Wayne along one of the three rivers that run through the city. Promenade Park is also home to a cafe and tap house, canal boat rides, and a treetop canopy trail.

Museums galore

Interested in religious history? Try visiting the Diocesan Museum — home to religious artifacts that helped shape Catholicism in Northeast Indiana. You can drop in for free or call to schedule an appointment.

Is science more your thing? If so, you may want to check out Science Central in Fort Wayne. Built within the first power plant in Fort Wayne, Science Central has over 200 permanent exhibits and a temporary exhibit that changes throughout the year, as well as a demonstration theater, a planetarium, and monthly events.

Fort Wayne landmarks

Whether you’re nine or 99, you’ll be entertained and amazed by all the creatures at the Fort Wayne Zoo. The Grandparent and Family membership options may be perfect if your family visits frequently or lives in the region.

Fort Wayne is also home to Parkview Field, another notable site in the city. The Parkview Field stadium serves not just as a Farmers Market venue but the home field for the Fort Wayne TinCaps, the Class A minor league baseball affiliate of the San Diego Padres. It also hosts plenty of live experiences throughout the year, including concerts and festivals.