So you’re getting up there in years and realizing that massive 5-bedroom house is feeling emptier by the day. The stairs seem steeper, the grass gets shaggier between mows, and you find yourself eating cereal over the sink way more than you used to.
You know it’s time to look into scaling down, but should you pick an expensive independent living community where you can live it up in style, or do you need the extra support that comes with assisted living? If you need help choosing between independent and assisted living, this blog is for you.
Key Differences Between Independent Living vs Assisted Living
When trying to choose between assisted living and independent living, there are five main differences to be aware of before throwing down a deposit
1. Level of Care – Independent Living vs. Assisted Living
The most significant difference between assisted living and independent living is the level of care they provide. Independent living communities generally don’t provide personal, medical, or nursing care. The only “care” offered is housekeeping and maintenance. So, if you still have good health and self-sufficiency, independent living could suit you well.
Assisted living does provide care with daily living activities like dressing, bathing, and medication management. So, if you or your loved ones are going through memory issues like dementia or Alzheimer’s, you should opt for assisted care living.
2. Sense of Community
A sense of community is another significant difference between assisted and independent living. Independent living promotes more of a country club social vibe. The freedom and lower needs of residents let them spread their still-active wings. Golf, clubs, trips… they’re busy! On the other hand, assisted living residents require more attention, so staff and spaces tend to focus on activities within the community.
3. Cost of Assisted Living vs. Independent Living
One of the most critical questions regarding senior care living is the cost of assisted living vs. independent living. Generally, the top luxury senior living communities catering to independent living focus on lifestyle preferences rather than senior care. They are more budget-friendly but usually may not be covered by long-term care insurance.
On the other hand, assisted living offers more support for seniors than they can expect at home. This intensive care makes assisted living more expensive than independent living. Additionally, long-term care insurance will cover assisted living costs.
Remember, you get what you pay for. Independent living favours freedom, while assisted living focuses on care. So, first, understand your health, family involvement, and budget to decide what balance fits best.
4. Your Family’s Involvement in Assisted Living vs. Independent Living
The lower care level of independent living also leads to fewer family member visits. Assisted living encourages family involvement and care collaboration since extra care is required. Around the holidays, both options fill up with family, though!
5. Flexibility in Assisted Living vs. Independent Living
Since independent living residents require lower maintenance, their communities can look more like rambling campuses spread out on large pieces of land. Assisted living requires more central monitoring and care from staff, so they usually have a tighter setup in a single building.
The Life at Independent Senior Living
Independent senior living communities promise the carefree ideal of your glory days combined with the wisdom of experience. A luxury apartment, an engaging social calendar, and amenities that care for life’s hassles can sound pretty sweet. So, let’s explore why seniors are choosing independent living.
Living the High Life in Independent Living
The appeal is right there in the name – everything in your life can still be handled independently without others’ help. Most residents moving into Independent senior living communities are still highly active.
Freedom From Maintenance
Everything is designed for comfortable, barrier-free living in the apartments or cottages of independent living communities. No more mowing grass or scrubbing toilets! Just lock ‘n leave. Common areas like clubhouses and pools keep life as social or private as possible.
Dining and Activity Options in Independent Living
And speaking of social, between clubs, outings, classes, and communal dining, you’ll never be bored! Designing an independent lifestyle is like a kid loose in a candy store. What activity do you want to enjoy each day and week? The options abound!
Care Available If Needs Change
The biggest bonus is that independent living communities have assisted living and nursing care available as self-care becomes more challenging. So technically, you can “age in place” and transition assistance levels in the same community later if needed—a lovely insurance policy.
The Life at Assisted Senior Living
Assisted living appeals to seniors ready to scale home size and life complexity. Let’s explore the unique blessings assisted living brings.
The Care You Want, The Help You Need
At its heart, assisted living exists to lighten life’s load as much as each resident needs. In luxury assisted senior living communities, care plans are designed to meet current capabilities and health issues and provide the proper support. Care plans flex to match the resident’s current abilities, whether full help getting dressed, bathing, medications, or just a steadying arm when walking.
Freedom From Home Hassles
Getting rid of home hassles will feel like winning the lottery in assisted living care. Assisted living lifts the burden of house maintenance and cooking/cleaning. Some luxury senior living even handles shopping, banking, and transportation.
Peace of Mind For the Whole Family
Knowing trained staff keeps a caring eye on loved ones 24/7 lets families breathe easier. Assisted care also helps reduce stressful “parenting the parent” roles. Grown kids can enjoy visiting without constant caregiving pressure.
Caring Mind, Body and Soul
Assisted living communities prioritize energizing and engaging residents physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. When you choose the right senior living, like Courtyard Luxury Senior Living, you will get regular wellness checks, daily exercise, clubs, outings, spiritual enhancement, and more to provide the best care to mind, body, and soul.
Which Is Right Where You Are Now?
First, take an honest self-assessment to choose between independent living vs assisted living. Document your current activity abilities, health issues, and family’s potential involvement, which paints a picture of how hands-on your care needs may be.
Next, consider independent living vs. assistance living on your priority scale. There’s no right or wrong answer, just the choice aligning best with this phase of your life!
