201 Independent Living near Facilities Columbia Heights, MN. Page 9

Independent Living

Many seniors may be physically and mentally capable of living without assistance, but the burden of home ownership and the upkeep of the property might be a deterrent to enjoying an otherwise independent life. Independent Living Communities offer a solid alternative to this situation. Residents may live their lives 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 be among peers, in a community with others of similar age groups and interests. Residents’ quarters consist of private living spaces, each with their own kitchen. The independence of apartment life is still enjoyed, offering an opportunity to socialize with guests and visitors in a private and personal setting. While policies vary between locations, numerous residences allow cats and dogs as well. If medical or nursing support is desired, residents may always utilize the services of private health care professionalls. There are an assortment of expenses and benefits to keep in mind while selecting an independent living community. It is important to learn if these services are included in your plan: laundry, wellness program, field trips, cable TV, initial assessment fee, utilities, housekeeping, and move-in fee. The luxuries associated with independent living include security guards, laundry service, concierge services, game/TV room, beauty salon & barber shop, restaurant-style dining hall, transportation, and private rental hall.

Demographics and Values

Out of the total city population, 50.3% are female and 49.7% are male. The median age of Columbia Heights is 36 years old. Racially, the population of Columbia Heights is 5.5% other or not specified, 5.9% Asian, 1.3% Native American, 64.1% white, 10.2% Hispanic, 18.1% black, 4.9% mixed race, and 0.1% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian. In Columbia Heights, 7.3% of the people are veterans of the United States military. Out of the total population of Columbia Heights, 14.3% live in poverty, 69.2% participate in the labor force, 7.0% are widowed, and 8.1% do not have health insurance. Of the population of Columbia Heights 22.2% have a college degree, 31.5% have a high-school diploma, and 7.3% have a graduate degree. The current population of Columbia Heights consists of 20,254 people. Columbia Heights has a population density of 2,307 people per square mile.

Cost of Living

Cost of living is a motivating factor in selecting which community fits best. The rent burden for Columbia Heights is around 21.0% of the average person’s monthly income. Columbia Heights has a median home value of $160,827 and the median cost of rent is about $1,115 per month.

State Information

An overview of Minnesota

There are 140 hospitals and 61 health centers that service a population of 5,654,535. The top three hospitals in the state are considered to be Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Wing, and Alomere Health. Based on natural beauty, Minnesota ranks 3rd in the nation. Minnesota is ranked 3rd in quality of life and 10th in healthcare. 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.

Social demographics of the state

In the most recent presidential election, 45% of Minnesota residents voted Republican and 46% voted Democrat. In terms of diversity, Minnesota ranks 27th in the nation and is considered LGBTQ friendly. Thirty-four percent of Minnesota residents regularly attend a religious service from one of the state’s 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. The median age in the state is 38, and 29% of the population is over the age of 55.

State-wide weather information

During the summer, the average temperature in Minnesota is 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. The average high winter temperature is around 33F in the month of February. In the winter months, the average low temperature falls to around -11F during the month of January. The average monthly precipitation for the state of Minnesota is around 2.37 inches. The average amount of precipitation peaks during the month of June at around 5.59 inches. The average humidity across the state is 70%. Humidity levels tend to reach their peak in the month of December at around 80%. 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. 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 tamarack, black cherry, balsam fir, and paper, river, and yellow birch. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the common loons, the red-winged blackbird, the timber wolves, or the American kestrel. The state animal of Minnesota is the eastern timber wolf.