Holiday Pinegate

Movie nights with a popcorn cart and a large screen are part of the routine at Holiday Pinegate, an independent living community at 300 Charter Boulevard in Macon. Holiday by Atria, the rental brand Atria Senior Living uses for independent living, operates the building. Residents rent a private apartment and decide for themselves how busy they want to be.

The monthly rent includes meals prepared by a chef 3 times a day, housekeeping and linen laundering, basic utilities, upkeep of the community and grounds, and transportation on a schedule for local errands and appointments. For a parent who has stopped driving or no longer enjoys it, that transportation can make the difference between staying home and staying involved.

A calendar of daily social events covers the rest of the week, and the theater room with comfortable seating hosts regular showings. Families weighing this building can also look at other senior living in Macon to compare rents, services and care options before deciding. Seeing 2 or 3 buildings in the same week makes the differences easier to spot.

Independent living is the only care level listed for Holiday Pinegate. The operator states that its rent covers no care services or help with medications and may leave out phone, cable or internet. Ask how the community supports a resident whose health changes, whether home care aides can visit, and what the lease requires if a move becomes necessary.