60 Independent Living near Facilities Chanhassen, MN. Page 2

Independent Living

Many seniors may be physically and mentally capable of living without assistance, but cost of owning a home and the maintenance of the property might be a deterrent to enjoying an otherwise independent lifestyle. Independent Living Communities provide a solid remedy to this situation. Seniors may use their free time as they see fit while their meals are cooked by a professionall chef, housekeeping and laundry duties are handled by staff, and social activities are scheduled and organized. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy the opportunity to live among peers, in a community with others of similar ages and interests. Typically comprised of a private living area and a full kitchen, these communities offer residences with many of the amenities of apartment life but without 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 locations, a number of residences allow pets as well. If residents decide they would like to employ the services of private medical providers, they may always do so. There are a variety of benefits and expenses to consider when determining an independent living community. It is important to determine if these services are included in the service plan: Waiting list deposit, transportation, private phone, initial assessment fee, wellness program, field trips, cable TV, and move-in fee. The benefits and amenities associated with independent living include restaurant-style dining hall, security guards, community activities, concierge services, transportation, fitness center & swimming pool, game/TV room, and healthcare center.

Cost of Living

The total cost of living can be the major influence in choosing what location fits best. Per month, the median rent in Chanhassen is about $1,836 per month and the median home value in Chanhassen is $349,740. The rent burden for Chanhassen is about 17.4% of the average monthly income.

Demographics and Values

Out of the total city population, 49.5% are male and 50.5% are female. The median age of Chanhassen is 39 years old. Racially, the population of Chanhassen is 5.8% Asian, 90.7% white, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 3.6% Hispanic, 1.4% black, 0.0% Native American, 0.7% other or not specified, and 1.4% mixed race. In Chanhassen, 6.1% of the citizens are veterans. Of the population of Chanhassen 20.2% have a graduate degree, 61.8% have a college degree, and 12.2% have a high-school diploma. In Chanhassen, 4.4% have some form of disability, 4.0% live in poverty, 3.6% do not have health insurance, and 75.2% participate in the labor force. The total population of Chanhassen consists of 25,558 people. Chanhassen has a population density of 483 people per square mile.

State Information

An overview of Minnesota

Based on natural beauty, Minnesota ranks 3rd in the nation. Overall, Minnesota ranks 3rd in quality of life and 10th in healthcare compared to other US states. In terms of resources, Minnesota has a cost of living index of 101.5, a grocery index rating of 106.7, and a housing index rating of 88.3. These index ratings are based on a system where 100 is considered the national average and anything above 100 is considered more expensive than said average. There are 140 general hospitals and 61 health centers that provide care for 5,654,535 Minnesota residents. The three highest ranked hospitals in Minnesota are Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Wing, and Alomere Health.

Social demographics of the state

The state of Minnesota ranks 27th in the country for diversity, and the state is considered LGBTQ friendly. The state has a median age of 38 and 29% of its population being over the age of 55. In Minnesota, 34% of the population attend some form of religious service and there are 5,953 different congregations. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-<1%, Muslim-<1%, and Buddhist-<1%, with the most common Christian denominations consisting of Evangelical Protestant-19%, Mainline Protestant-29%, and Historically Black Protestant-2%. In Minnesota there are 170 masonic lodges. During the latest presidential election, 45% voted for the Republican candidate while 46% voted for the Democratic candidate.

State-wide weather information

The average temperature in the summer rises to around 67F. The average high summer temperature is around 86F in the month of July. In the summer, the average low temperature drops to around 42F during the month of June. During the winter, the average temperature in Minnesota drops to around 13F. During the winter, the average high temperature peaks at around 33F during the month of February. The average low temperature during the winter drops to around -11F in the month of January. The most precipitation occurs in June with an average of 5.59 inches of precipitation a month. On average, the state receives 2.37 inches of precipitation a month. On average, Minnesota has an air quality index rating of around 34.5 AQI. The average air quality index rating peaks in the month of May with a rating of around 42.7 AQI. Minnesota experiences an average humidity rating of about 70%. Humidity levels tend to reach their peak in the month of December at around 80%. While residents of Minnesota mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Minnesota can include floods and earthquakes (high).

Wildlife to be found in Minnesota

The state of Minnesota has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of juniper, wine, red, and black spine, pin cherry, and black and white spruce. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the black bears, the horned lark, the eastern phoebe, or the red-winged blackbird. The state animal of Minnesota is the eastern timber wolf.