9 Best Independent Living Communities in Palestine, AR

Independent Living

For many seniors, cost of owning a home might be a deterrent to living an independent life. Independent Living Communities offer a good solution to this situation. Frequent needs such as meal planning and the scheduling of social activities are accounted for, which permits seniors more opportunities to live active lives as they see fit. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy an opportunity to live among peers, in a community with others of similar ages and interests. Typically consisting of a private living area and a full kitchen, these communities offer residences with many of the amenities of apartment life but with none of the hassle. Guests can be invited over and entertained, and more time can be spent with them with the basic maintenance of daily chores out of the way. While policies differ between communities, a number of residences allow cats and dogs as well. If medical or nursing assistance is desired, residents may always utilize the services of independent care providers. There are a number of costs and benefits to consider when determining an independent living community. It is important to determine if these amenities are covered in your service plan: move-in fee, private phone, wellness program, housekeeping, meals, Waiting list deposit, internet access, and initial assessment fee. The amenities associated with independent living include concierge services, private rental hall, laundry service, beauty salon & barber shop, game/TV room, transportation, fitness center & swimming pool, and community activities.

Demographics and Values

In Palestine, 3.0% of the population are veterans of the United States military. Palestine has a population density of 74 people per square mile. Currently, the population of Palestine consists of 607 people. Of the population of Palestine 3.5% have a college degree, 35.7% have a high-school diploma, and 1.2% have a graduate degree. In Palestine, 53.6% participate in the labor force, 23.7% have some form of disability, 21.6% live in poverty, and 11.1% are widows. Demographically, Palestine is 4.0% Hispanic, 16.6% black, 1.0% other or not specified, 0.0% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 1.5% mixed race, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, and 80.9% white. Based on gender, 47.1% are male and 52.9% are female. The median age of Palestine is 38 years old.

Cost of Living

The cost of care for a community is affected by the destination in which it is located. The median monthly rent in Palestine is around $479 and the median home value for Palestine is about $59,161. The rent burden for Palestine is around 11.5% of the average person’s monthly income.

State Information

An overview of Arkansas

In terms of resources, Arkansas has a cost of living index of 88.4, a grocery index rating of 92.0, and a housing index rating of 73.9. These index ratings are based on a system where 100 is considered the national average and anything below 100 is considered less expensive than the national average. Overall, Arkansas ranks 45th out of all states in quality of life and 49th in healthcare. Based on natural beauty, Arkansas ranks 19th in the nation. The state of Arkansas has 88 hospitals and 130 health centers, providing care to a population of 3,024,692. The three highest ranked hospitals in Arkansas are Arkansas Heart Hospital, Llc, Arkansas Surgical Hospital, and And Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas.

Social demographics of the state

In terms of diversity, Arkansas ranks 33rd in the nation. During the latest presidential election, 61% voted for the Republican candidate while 34% voted for the Democratic candidate. In Arkansas, 41% of the population attend some form of religious service and there are 6,697 different congregations. The top three Christian denominations in the state are Evangelical Protestant-46%, Mainline Protestant-16%, and Historically Black Protestant-8%. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-<1%, Muslim-2%, and Buddhist-<1%. In Arkansas there are 361 masonic lodges. The median age in the state is 38, and 30% of the population is over the age of 55.

State-wide weather information

The average amount of precipitation peaks during the month of May at around 6.85 inches. On average, the state receives 4.23 inches of precipitation a month. The average humidity across the state is 71%. Humidity levels tend to reach their peak in the month of May at around 73%. On average, Arkansas has an air quality index rating of around 38.8 AQI. The average air quality index rating peaks in the month of July with a rating of around 47.9 AQI. The average temperature in the winter falls to around 41F. During the winter, the average high temperature peaks at around 60F during the month of February. The average low temperature during the winter drops to around 22F in the month of January. During the summer, the average temperature in Arkansas is around 79F. Over the summer months the average high temperature peaks at around 95F during the month of July. The average low summer temperature is around 60F in the month of June. While residents of Arkansas mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Arkansas can include earthquakes (moderate) and tornadoes.

Wildlife to be found in Arkansas

The state of Arkansas has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of orchid, pine, mink, and cypresses. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the catfish, the mourning dove, the bobwhite quail, or the eastern wild turkey. The state animal of Arkansas is the white-tailed deer.