Published: November 19, 2022
Reviewed by: Deidre Sommerer, LPN, MS, CMC, CDP
For Christian seniors, the church plays a large part of their spiritual, social and community life. Their friends go to the same church, regular services are part of their relationship with God, and they give back to others through religious charities and organizations. This is why they may prefer to retire to a community that supports their religious beliefs and practices.
Christian senior living communities offer the same services and amenities as standard senior living options. The difference is that they approach the care they provide through the lens of Christ’s teachings. This means that residents have access to spiritual advisors, places of worship and a community of other residents, caregivers and administrative staff that share their beliefs.
There are good reasons for seniors to choose faith-based senior care. Research about the impact of religion is conducted regularly and shows that religious individuals are happier than nonreligious people. Studies have also found that religiously affiliated people live longer than those without these affiliations.
Thankfully, there are many Christian communities around the country, catering to older adults of different religious denominations. This guide has information about what Christian senior living is, how it differs from standard care and what to expect from different Christian senior communities. It also has advice on how to find the right Christian community for you and some of the financial resources available to help you as you age.
Faith-based retirement communities offer the same personal care, medical assistance and amenities provided in secular communities that offer equivalent care. However, faith-based communities are built around the principles of their religion and include spiritual care as part of their services.
Christian senior living communities are available for people who follow Protestant, Catholic or Orthodox traditions. It’s also possible to find non-denominational communities that keep the teachings of Jesus Christ at the forefront of the care they provide. The majority of Christian communities are open to people of all faiths, as well as non-religious seniors looking for quality care. Some also offer services to people of other faiths, such as kosher meals.
There are a wide range of housing options available to meet the varied needs and budgets of seniors in the community. Whether a facility has a religious affiliation or not, the care and amenities provided follow the standards below.
| Type of Care | Typical Services and Amenities | Best Suited For |
| Independent Living | No care services provided, but maintenance is usually included. Amenities may include social activities, community spaces and meals. | Seniors who can live independently but want to downsize and reside in a community of peers with well-planned amenities. |
| Assisted Living | Assistance with activities of daily living, such as grooming and bathing. Facilities typically provide meals, social activities and access to community spaces. | Seniors who need some assistance with daily tasks, but can still be somewhat independent. |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Care | A licensed physician oversees care and daily therapy is often available, such as physical or occupational therapy. Meals are provided, but social activities may be limited as the focus is on health care. | Seniors who are frail or have complex medical conditions and need 24-hour care. These facilities can also be a temporary living option for people recovering from illness or injury. |
| Memory Care | Assistance with personal care needs, such as grooming, laundry and housekeeping. Many communities offer specialized activity programs to engage residents. Caregivers have specific training and the campus has enhanced security features for resident safety. | Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. |
| Adult Day Programming | Supervision, social activities, lunch and snacks are typically provided. Adult day health care may include some health monitoring and access to social workers, but this isn’t universal. | Seniors who live with a caregiver but need professional care during the day. Can also be used for daytime respite care when needed. These can be a medical or social model, with the medical model providing some personal care. |
| Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) | Amenities and services depend on the level of care needed, but meet the same standards as stand-alone communities of that type. CCRCs make it easy for seniors to transition to a higher level of care as needed. | Seniors who want to stay in the same community as their needs change. Also couples who have different care needs but want to live in the same community. |
In addition to these standard amenities, Christian senior living communities have spiritual services and activities available to residents. What this includes depends somewhat on the denomination of the community, although the broad categories are the same.
Christian communities generally offer spiritual activities for residents. Bible study groups, prayer meetings and church choir groups are popular within these communities.
In keeping with their Christian philosophy, many of these senior communities also provide opportunities for residents to give back. They may offer intergenerational activities, chances to volunteer and community-wide events that raise money for local or global charities. Residents may find that their own ideas for good works are supported in their community. For example, if the community’s craft group wants to make items for people in need, the facility is likely to have connections that can help achieve that.
Most Christian senior living communities have either a chapel or church on campus, or are located close to an affiliated place of worship. Residents can generally visit at any time to pray or meditate, and services are also held regularly.
These services can differ depending on the denomination. For example, Catholic communities may have daily masses for people who wish to receive holy Communion every day. Priests may also offer weekly confession on-site, a sacrament that’s also likely to be offered in Orthodox communities. Protestant communities generally hold weekly services as well as prayer groups or fellowship gatherings during the week.
Sometimes, seniors don’t want to cut ties to their current church. In this case, you can ask if the facility provides transportation to local churches. This would allow you to continue your current church life activities and stay connected to your religious support, while still enjoying the experience provided by a Christian community.
Christian communities often have an on-site chaplain available to provide spiritual advice and support to residents. This can be a comfort to seniors transitioning from living independently to life in a senior community. Chaplains also help people manage grief and come to terms with their own illness. In Orthodox and Catholic communities, this can include sacraments such as the anointing of the sick and last rites in palliative care settings.
Although standard senior communities may have social workers available and counselors on staff, many seniors find that support through a pastor or chaplain is more helpful. Chaplains offer guidance within the familiar framework of faith and provide a steady presence as older adults face the challenges of aging.
Although it’s not the norm, some Christian retirement communities may provide either low-cost care for needy seniors or offer financial support to residents. This may involve continuing to provide care if an individual’s financial resources run low for any reason. Not every Christian facility has the ability to offer this, but if you’re on a very low income it may be worth asking about any help that’s available.
Survey data from the Pew Research Center finds that relationships through the church are a large reason why religious Americans are mentally and physically healthier, happier and more satisfied with their personal life than non-religious individuals. Moving into a Christian retirement community could mean that you’ll be surrounded by church friends, which can help foster a sense of belonging.
You’ll also be joining a community of people who share your beliefs, values and traditions. The people around you will be celebrating Easter or Christmas, sacrificing for Lent or observing the Apostles’ Fast. Doing these things together can enhance feelings of belonging and decrease any social isolation you might feel if observing these traditions in a secular facility.
Most Christian senior living communities are operated by non-profit organizations. They often have a board of directors affiliated with local churches, and it’s this board that makes operating decisions. As nonprofit associations, these communities aren’t operated to make money, so any proceeds are used for everyday operations, to improve the facility or perhaps to fund other programs of the organization.
Christian senior communities also may be run as for-profit organizations. In these cases, the facilities are operated according to the Christian principles of the owner. Whether you choose a profit or nonprofit community depends on the culture you’re looking for and the services and amenities provided. However, it’s important to remember that it’s possible for a for-profit community to be sold or come under new management, which can change the way it’s run.
Most states have regulations that govern the day-to-day operations of all licensed senior communities. No matter the ownership structure of your new home, it must follow the regulations of the state. These differ depending on your location and the type of care provided, but can include an administrator with certain qualifications or a registered nurse on staff to manage health care concerns.
It’s important to remember that all licensed senior living communities must adhere to the relevant rules and regulations in their state. This means that the level of care provided should be the same whether you choose a Christian or standard senior care option. The major difference between secular and faith-based care is the philosophy of the providers and the culture that is created in the community. Understanding what’s offered in each type of facility can help you decide what level of care is right for you.
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