As older adults approach their golden years or 60s, it may be time to consider independent and assisted living options. These are great opportunities to retain independence (without the headaches of home ownership and maintenance) and to have access to assistance with daily tasks or activities of daily living and medication management if ever needed.
Before determining whether assisted living or independent living is right for you, it’s important to know what the differences are.
Here are five assisted vs independent living key differences to keep in mind:
Both assisted and independent living communities offer seniors active, social lifestyles in safe, long-term residential campuses. The main difference between the two types of living communities is the level of care or medical care provided at each.
Assisted living communities offer personalized care services with staff at the ready to assist with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and more. The level of care a resident receives will depend on their needs and preferences. Residents with specific health conditions may also require specialized medical care.
Independent Living vs. Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home
Independent living communities typically do not include personal or medical care, but residents may sometimes be able to arrange these services depending on what the community offers.
A key difference between assisted living and a nursing home is the level of specialized medical care the residence offers. Nursing homes provide extensive, 24/7 long-term medical care for people who cannot live on their own. This type or level of extensive medical care is not available at a traditional assisted living community. Most assisted living residents do not require around-the-clock care but may benefit from basic nursing and therapy services.
Some assisted living communities offer memory care services and communities for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Memory care specialists are trained to assist residents prone to wandering or sundowning and can help them maintain a comfortable routine.
Because assisted living offers additional care services, assisted living options naturally tend to be more expensive than independent living.
Medicare or Medicaid does not cover either assisted living or independent living because most assisted and independent living communities are privately owned. However, it is important to inquire about Medicaid availability at each community as there may be limited availability, and it will usually require a spend down.
When deciding between assisted versus independent living, you should consider the services, amenities, and social activities you want to take advantage of. This will vary from community to community so be sure to ask the team and staff if you have any specific amenities or social activities in mind.
Amenities you should expect in either an assisted or independent living community include restaurant-style dining rooms, daily happy hours, fully stocked libraries,, and more.
Family involvement is highly encouraged when seniors move into either an assisted or independent living community.
Assisted and independent living communities allow friends and family members to visit at any time. Most communities regularly welcome and integrate family and friends to participate in their events and activities with the residents.
Because assisted living takes care of caregiving and assistance responsibilities, families can spend more time and energy spending time with their loved ones. At an independent living community, families may continue to physically support their loved ones if they prefer.
In terms of community design, assisted living communities tend to be smaller or more compact for convenience’s sake. Independent living communities may have a larger campus for residents to explore.
Both assisted and independent living communities should offer a variety of private apartment options and floor plans for you to consider.
At Chelsea Senior Living, our residents live every moment with unlimited potential.
Some of our independent living communities share a campus with our assisted living communities and memory care communities. While they are separate areas, assisted living and memory care services are always steps away for our residents should they ever need or request them. Our team will always be there to guide residents through this transition, making it as easy and smooth as possible.
You can also sort our floor plans by specialty service to see all the comfortable, spacious apartments available.
Schedule a tour today to see our beautiful campus and meet our friendly staff and residents.
