Amenities and Services: What’s Included in the Cost of Senior Living in 2026

One easy way to make the right decision about where to live in retirement is to look in-depth at what is actually included in the cost of senior living. Today’s luxury senior living communities far exceed those of the past in what services and amenities are included in the monthly fee. If you have wondered what the cost of senior living includes, here’s a rundown.

At One Lincoln Park, independent living starts at $2,270 per month, with more than 20 floor plans ranging from a 410-square-foot studio to a two-bedroom suite of more than 1,250 square feet. Unlike many independent living communities, we do not require a large entrance or endowment fee, only a one-time $1,500 move-in fee. And as you’ll see below, that one monthly rent covers far more than an apartment.

Safety and security

Getting older presents many new challenges and at the top of the list are how to stay safe and secure wherever you decide to live. Senior living communities like One Lincoln Park know how important it is to ensure a safe and secure environment and go the extra mile to do just that. For example, each of our apartments has a three-part wireless emergency notification system that includes:

• A wall-mounted transmitter with a check button that notifies our reception desk of each resident’s status daily.
• An individual emergency transmitter that each resident can activate at any time.
• A smoke detector in every apartment.

In addition, we provide 24-hour security that includes a Lifeline pendant, a 24-hour on-call emergency medical aide for 911 emergencies and a monitored daily morning security check-in system. For a good idea of how much it might cost to provide these services at home, check out the seniorliving.org blog, “A Buying Guide to Home Security Systems for Seniors.” Here, it is all part of your monthly rent, and your family can rest easy knowing someone is always close by.

Social opportunities

Time gives and it also takes away and getting older often means losing friends and opportunities to socialize and enjoy the company of peers. For some, lack of socialization can even make them feel isolated and lonely, elevating risk to health and well-being.

The cost of senior living includes a pretty amazing amount of ways residents can be social, on their own terms. Our Life Enrichment program fills every week with bridge, poker and pinochle, bingo, educational classes, craft and creative arts, a men’s discussion group, live entertainment and weekly outings. Get in shape with a workout buddy in our fitness center, join a daily chair yoga, tai chi or Zumba class, or just enjoy a few laughs at Happy Hour. Season ticket holders even ride with us to the Schuster Center, the Dayton Philharmonic and Wright State University theatre. Each can help seniors get the socialization needed to stay healthy and make life fun and fulfilling. Find out why socialization is so important for seniors in our blog, “Socialization and Seniors: Why It’s Key to Health and Happiness.”

On-site amenities

As getting out becomes more of a challenge, many seniors feel they are a burden to others when they just want to go about their lives as usual. Simple things like hair appointments, going to the library, picking up prescriptions, or getting to the doctor can become difficult or even impossible when help isn’t readily available.

Getting the help needed to live normally is included in the cost of senior living, which makes life better for seniors and their families. At One Lincoln Park, you’ll find an on-site salon and barber shop, a wood-paneled library with Dayton Metro Library delivery, our Apothecary by Hometown Pharmacy for prescription drop-off and pick-up, and a Wellness Center where our Wellness Nurse checks blood pressure, answers medication questions and gives annual flu shots, with lab draws three days a week.

Then there is our complimentary chauffeured transportation. Instead of a rigid shuttle schedule, our courteous drivers take you wherever you wish to go in our fleet of luxury cars, 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm within 15 miles, and you are not limited to one trip per day. Our 14-passenger van makes weekly trips to Kroger, Dorothy Lane Market and Trader Joe’s. Prefer to drive? Complimentary valet parking is provided for residents and their guests, with no tipping allowed, and your car waits for you under the covered front entrance. All of this is provided to ensure residents can pursue their own interests, remain independent and most of all never feel like a burden. For more about what’s included in the cost of senior living, read our blog, “How to Make an Informed Decision When Choosing a Senior Living Community.”

Dining at its best

A concern that is common among today’s seniors is that the food served in senior living is at best below par and at worst downright awful. Thankfully, that is no longer the case. Senior living in 2026 means chef-prepared meals that rival the best restaurants, not only for presentation and flavor, but also for nutrition.

One Lincoln Park makes dining something special. Our classically appointed Fairmont Dining Room serves more than 20 savory selections every day, restaurant style, from Chicken Cordon Bleu to Filet of Beef Tournedos, along with daily specials and breakfast each morning. The Bistro offers deli-style lunches, Ashley’s pastries and ice cream, and residents can enjoy appetizers at Happy Hour with full bar service. There are buffets and picnics for holidays and special occasions, room service and pick-up service for lazy days, and flexible meal plans so you dine the way you like. Families are always welcome to join you for a meal, and our culinary director will create a personalized menu for celebrations in our Private Dining Room.

Helpful services

When living at home, mundane tasks like washing floors, getting to the basement to do the laundry, vacuuming, keeping the kitchen and bathroom clean and even taking out the trash may become more difficult and require the help of families or friends. Again, the feeling of being a burden can weigh heavy.

Included in the cost of senior living at One Lincoln Park, these tasks disappear. Weekly housekeeping includes dusting, vacuuming, damp-mopping kitchen and bathroom floors, wiping down counters and appliances, cleaning bathrooms and emptying trash, and our staff changes your bed linens at no charge. Each floor has four laundry rooms with washers and dryers that are free to use, no stairs required. Of course, your monthly rent also includes electric, heat, air conditioning, water, sewer, trash and community Wi-Fi, so residents feel connected and comfortable without a stack of utility bills. Learn more about One Lincoln Park in our blog, “Best Senior Living Kettering Ohio.”

One Lincoln Park offers so much you have to see it to believe it! Our most sought-after residences, especially the larger two-bedroom and solarium suites, are seldom available for long. Contact us to find out more or schedule a tour to experience One Lincoln Park for yourself!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cost of Senior Living

How much does independent living cost at One Lincoln Park in 2026?

Independent living at One Lincoln Park starts at $2,270 per month in 2026. Rates vary by floor plan, size and features across more than 20 layouts, from a 410-square-foot studio to a two-bedroom suite of more than 1,250 square feet. There is no entrance or endowment fee, only a one-time $1,500 move-in fee.

What is included in the cost of senior living at One Lincoln Park?

Monthly rent includes your apartment, electric, heat, air conditioning, water, sewer and trash, community Wi-Fi, weekly housekeeping with complimentary linen changes, free laundry rooms on every floor, maintenance, chauffeured transportation within 15 miles, complimentary valet parking, 24-hour security and emergency response, the fitness center, and the Life Enrichment activity program.

Does One Lincoln Park charge an entrance fee?

No. Unlike many independent living communities, One Lincoln Park does not require a large entrance or endowment fee. The only upfront cost is a one-time $1,500 move-in fee, and our Retirement Counselors can review flexible leasing options with you.

Does independent living include meals?

It depends on the community. At One Lincoln Park, residents dine in the Fairmont Dining Room, which serves more than 20 chef-prepared selections daily, and in the Bistro, with flexible meal plans so you choose how often you dine. Room service, Happy Hour with full bar service and a Private Dining Room for family gatherings are also available.

What is not included in the monthly rent?

Telephone service, cable and secure internet packages, salon and barber services, personal laundry done by staff, private-pay home care such as medication monitoring and companion services, and some off-campus dining events or event admissions are billed separately. Utilities, Wi-Fi, housekeeping, transportation and valet parking are already included.

Is transportation included in the cost of senior living?

At One Lincoln Park, yes. Complimentary chauffeured transportation in luxury cars runs 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, anywhere within 15 miles, with no limit of one trip per day. A 14-passenger van makes weekly trips to Kroger, Dorothy Lane Market and Trader Joe’s, and valet parking is free for residents and guests.

What is the difference in cost between independent living and assisted living?

Independent living covers housing, services and amenities for older adults who manage daily life on their own. Assisted living adds hands-on help with bathing, dressing and medications, usually with an added care fee based on an assessed level of need, so it typically costs more. One Lincoln Park is an independent living community for adults 55 and older.

How do seniors pay for independent living?

Most residents pay privately, using retirement income, savings, investments or the proceeds from selling a home. Medicare does not pay for independent living rent. Many families find that the monthly rent compares well with the combined cost of a mortgage or property taxes, utilities, upkeep and transportation at home.

Where can I find independent living in Dayton, Ohio?

One Lincoln Park has offered independent living for adults 55 and older since 1986, at 590 Isaac Prugh Way, serving Kettering, Centerville, Beavercreek and the greater Dayton area. Call (937) 930-4263 to schedule a private tour.

How do I find out which apartments are available?

Call (937) 930-4263 or contact us online to schedule a private tour with a Retirement Counselor, who will review current availability and pricing for each floor plan. Our larger residences, such as the two-bedroom and solarium suites, are seldom available for long, so touring early gives you the best choice.