What You Need to Know About Independent Lifestyles and Assisted Living

Deciding where to live as you age can be stressful. Parsing through all the options is time-consuming and exhausting. When researching senior living communities, there are many things to consider; from your living space to your support. If you know you want to live in a senior community, the next question becomes: What is the difference between independent lifestyle and assisted living? And which one is right for me?

And that question isn’t always so simple. Living the way you want is just as important as getting quality support. To find the support right for you, it’s important to understand the difference between an independent lifestyle and assisted living.

What is an Independent Lifestyle?

Independent lifestyles are ideal for people who can live without assistance. Basically, people who can live independently. So, that begs the question:

“If I can live independently, why would I bother moving to a senior community?”

That’s a good question. Many people move to a community for several reasons…

• To free themselves of the burden of maintaining their house.
• They want the security of having medical professionals close (but not too close).
• Preparing for the possibility they or their spouse may need additional support later on.
• They want fewer responsibilities so they can enjoy the things they like.
• They want to be in a community of their peers (no loud kids playing in the road).

…just to name a few. But to sum up, most people move to an independent lifestyle community for one type of convenience or another.

Housing for an Independent Lifestyle

Independent lifestyles generally offer a diverse arrangement of housing options. These include anything from a private apartment to single-story homes. This style of living is an option for individuals who can take care of themselves but don’t want the hassle of maintaining their homes anymore. 

Benefits

Designed with active people in mind, independent lifestyles offer easier living so you can focus on doing what you want. However, some common features offered by independent senior living communities are:

• No maintenance or repairs
• Housekeeping options
• Lawn care and snow removal
• Dining options
• Social programs and events
• Spiritual services
• 24-hour security
• Wellness programming

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is ideal for people who have difficulty completing daily tasks. There are many reasons someone might face difficulties, such as caring for a family member or chronic pain. People in assisted living are free to live as independently as they choose, with many options for making their lives easier. 

There are many reasons someone would choose assisted living.

• To have meals prepared for them.
• They want a little assistance with transportation
• Getting a little help with things like laundry and house cleaning
• They want to have access to fun weekly events
• They want to be a part of a community of their peers

Moving to an assisted living community is all about security and peace of mind. So, it comes down to what features provide you fewer burdens.

Housing for Assisted Living

The housing for assisted living is usually kept to apartments on-site. This allows residents fast and easy access to medical staff if needed. So, getting around is much easier for people with mobility problems or disabilities. Additionally, there are dining options and increased security, especially if there are residents with cognitive decline. Many residents live independent lives in assisted living but like the convenience and security of assistance if it is needed. 

Benefits

There are many benefits to assisted living. For a more complete analysis, read 3 Benefits of an Assisted Living Residence. Many assisted living communities will offer the following

• Personal support services
• Laundry services
• Assistance with daily self-care
• Medication management
• Health monitoring
• Enrichment programs for social and active living

It might seem like a lot to take in, but we are here to help. There is a Life Enriching Communities resource to help you at every step of the decision making process. No matter where you are in your decision process.

Explore all of your senior living options today when you download our FREE eBook, What Are My Senior Living Options.

Concord Reserve is a continuing care retirement community in Westlake, Ohio. We’re focused on supporting the vibrant and active lifestyles of our residents so they can age well. For more information, contact Concord Reserve online or at 440-871-0090.