Holiday Orchid Terrace

Bridge, poker and board games fill a dedicated activity room at Holiday Orchid Terrace, an independent living community at 4474 Butler Hill Road in St. Louis. Independent living is the only care level. Holiday by Atria, the independent-living rental brand of Atria Senior Living, operates the building, where residents rent private apartments and leave the cooking and cleaning to staff.

Monthly rent includes the apartment, chef-prepared meals 3 times a day, housekeeping and linen laundering, scheduled local transportation, maintenance of the building and grounds, standard utilities and a daily schedule of events. The common areas are large enough for group events, parties and family visits on weekends. Floor plans with monthly rental rates can be viewed before a visit. Residents choose which daily events to join.

The building has elevators, and apartments include walk-in tubs, which lowers the risk of a fall getting in and out of the bath. Couples whose health differs often weigh when to move. Moving early, while both partners are still mobile, gives time to settle in, learn the routine and make friends before needs grow. Scheduled rides also help once driving becomes harder.

Rent does not include personal care or medication management, and phone, cable or internet may be extra. A specific apartment is not held before a deposit. Families comparing senior living in St. Louis should ask each community how it handles outside home care when a resident's health changes.