Senior Living Apartments in Fort Wayne, IN

Independent seniors looking for age-specific apartments in Fort Wayne typically pay for most of their monthly rent out of pocket using private pay methods. However, under some circumstances, seniors may be able to offset some of their other costs like in-home health care with VA benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, or public assistance. Note that the cost of rent for senior apartment communities is not covered by programs like Medicaid, Medicare, or long-term care insurance because they don’t provide actual care. Here you can find private pay, housing assistance, VA benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid resources for seniors.

Senior apartments aren’t governed as strictly as care-specific housing properties like skilled nursing and memory care facilities because they do not provide health-related services. However, property owners and managers must still ensure they follow all applicable Indiana and Fort Wayne housing laws, regulations, and requirements as outlined by the Indiana Department of Health and other organizations.

For example, all senior apartments must comply with:

• The Fair Housing Act is aimed at eliminating discriminatory application acceptance decisions.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires senior apartment managers to make accessibility accommodations for seniors with disabilities.
• Indiana’s Landlord Tenant Laws outline tenant and landlord responsibilities for all apartments in Fort Wayne including senior apartments.

For more in-depth information, read the Fair Housing for Seniors in Indiana guidebook. This resource also includes information on the Housing for Older Persons exemption, which protects people over 55 from renting housing that has not been approved.

To further vet any potential senior apartment for the factors that matter most, such as cleanliness, safety, security measures, privacy, access, upkeep, and non-discriminatory processes, you can look up HUD’s inspection reports. If you have concerns before or after moving to a senior apartment, you can contact the Indiana Department of Health.

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 senior apartment communities

There are no current COVID-19 regulations or requirements for senior apartment communities in Fort Wayne. Nevertheless, it is always best to use good judgment to avoid contracting or spreading COVID-19 or any communicable virus and follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.

Senior apartment living arrangements in Fort Wayne, Indiana, are designed to meet the needs of independent older adults. What makes senior apartments so appealing to many retirement-age individuals is that they offer all the benefits and freedom of living in a home without all the annoying maintenance issues like shoveling snow and groundskeeping. Additionally, many senior apartment communities offer unique amenities ideally suited for active singles and couples.

Fitness options

In the era of aging in place, many seniors stay active as long as they can. If this describes your lifestyle, consider looking for a senior apartment facility with onsite recreational and fitness choices. These could be anything from tennis courts and swimming pools to a workout and exercise room or daily yoga classes. Fort Wayne also has many parks, biking lanes, golf courses, bowling alleys, and pickleball courts. This enables you to move as freely as you want and keep up your active lifestyle.

Social events and outings

Some senior housing communities set up picnics, barbecues, and other social events. Your preferred senior apartment facility may even host occasional outings for an affordable price. These types of social celebrations and occasions give you the chance to mix and mingle with others in your senior apartment community. They also enable you to explore Fort Wayne and the surrounding areas alone, with your spouse or partner, or even with visiting family members and friends.

Accessible living

Do you or your live-in loved one use a wheelchair? Need accessibility beyond an elevator or one-story home? Many senior apartments are laid out to make it easier for you to move around easily and safely with wide doors, walk-in tubs, and lowered countertops and cupboards. When you take your in-person or virtual tour of a senior apartment, ask about these possibilities.

Health care for seniors in Fort Wayne

Transportation for seniors in Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne is a city that’s most easily explored by car or bus. Though you can bike around, its bike score of 32 out of 100 makes it less cycle-friendly than some other large communities. Walk Score compares cities to rate them on how easy it is to get around on foot, by bike, or via public transit.^[05]

Citilink Bus is the bus route that travels through Fort Wayne. Be sure to check on the route times and schedule. The Citilink website is kept up-to-date and includes scheduling modifications during holidays. You should also note that city buses don’t run on Sundays, so you’ll need an alternate means of transport if you plan to run errands, get to an appointment, or take an excursion on a Sunday.

The Community Transportation Network (CTN) is a private, nonprofit agency that may offer shuttle or other services to seniors. CTN is specially designed for individuals — including seniors — who are having trouble accessing or affording other means of transportation in the Fort Wayne region.

Senior activities in Fort Wayne

Every city has its unique landmarks, attractions, events, and social opportunities and Fort Wayne is no exception. Both visitors and residents alike appreciate all the things to do and discoveries to be made in Fort Wayne and the surrounding region. This means that after moving to a senior apartment, you’ll have plenty to see and experience in the years to follow.

Nature in its splendor

Getting outside for fresh air isn’t difficult in Fort Wayne. It has plenty of green space for activities from jogging and hiking to pickleball and bird-watching. Within Fort Wayne, you can find 80+ parks, some of which have manicured trails.

If you are looking for a more rustic walking trail, the Lindenwood Nature Preserve may be your best bet. The Lindenwood Nature Preserve contains four hiking trails and offers environmental education and cultural enrichment to foster spiritual and physical connection with nature.

Fort Wayne is also home to the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. Even though its name implies a childlike ambiance, it’s for people of every age. The zoo has a calendar of events it hosts all throughout the year — one of which is the Zoofari, an event for those 21 and older to sample food, beer, and wine as they walk through the zoo while listening to music from local bands.

A taste of art and history

One of the greatest perks of living in Fort Wayne is the vast array of museums and historical sites. If you are interested in art, check out the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. This art gallery has been specifically created and renovated to be accessible for people with mobility issues.

Located in the old city hall building is the Fort Wayne and Allen County History Center, which offers a discounted price to all seniors. Here you can learn more about the rich history of Fort Wayne and explore multiple exhibits and collections. The History Center is also the proud host of the annual Festival of Gingerbread, one of Fort Wayne’s most popular events.

Local food options

The Fort Wayne Farmers Market has been around since October 2012. Not only is a visit to the Farmers Market a great way to support local businesses, but you can walk away with fresh produce, baked goods, meals, and more.

Locally known as the “City of Restaurants,” Fort Wayne has cuisines to appease everyone’s taste buds — from Vietnamese and Italian fare to a growing battalion of creative food trucks that specialize in macaroni and cheese, pizza, churros, barbecue, and much more. Fort Wayne also boasts four wineries within a short driving distance, including Country Heritage Winery in LaOtto and Satek Winery in Fremont.

Fun for senior participants

Fort Wayne has plenty of senior-specific activities. The Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Community Center hosts a plethora of summer programs for seniors including but not limited to, a shuffleboard league, yoga, tap classes, cornhole, and more. The Parkview Regional Medical Center also offers the Parkview Seniors Club, wellness and educational opportunities, community discounts, and senior celebrations.