The decision to move to a senior living community can be an emotional one for both yourself and your loved ones. After all, when you start researching, you might notice that there isn’t just one type of community! There are plenty of different options, each with unique strengths and benefits, designed for people in all kinds of situations. One example is independent versus assisted living. What’s the difference?
Independent living is a type of community tailored toward seniors looking for a simpler and more maintenance-free lifestyle. It offers a home in a community full of like-minded individuals at a similar stage in life. Meanwhile, assisted living focuses on providing additional care and support for seniors who need a hand with their daily tasks.
What is Independent Living?
Imagine a place where seniors can live independently and autonomously. A community designed to offer all kinds of services and amenities to improve a person’s quality of life, with maintenance-free living where seniors don’t need to worry about homeownership. This is independent living.
These communities are a long-form type of senior living designed for seniors who value their independence but no longer want to deal with the daily upkeep of owning a home. Your loved one can move to a community that offers:
- A home-style apartment
- Meal, laundry, and housekeeping services
- Plenty of community events
- Dietary support
- Secure entrances and exits
- Private dining area
There are plenty of on-site amenities designed to make every day easy, convenient, and comfortable. In independent living, your loved one can enjoy each and every day doing the things they love—without worrying about maintenance and other burdens.
Who Should Move to Independent Living?
Independent living is ideal for seniors who are relatively healthy and self-sufficient but are looking for a more relaxed, simple, and social lifestyle. Homeownership isn’t the easiest thing in the world, after all—and sometimes, it’s just not worth the stress.
Independent living is an excellent choice for seniors who are looking to:
- Free themselves from the burdens of homeownership
- Downsize their overall lifestyle
- Enjoy a social and vibrant community lifestyle
- Maintain their autonomy and independence
If your loved one values their independence and wants a simpler lifestyle full of events, activities, and companionship, independent living may be the right choice.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living, on the other hand, is a little bit different. Sometimes, age can pose unique challenges that make day-to-day activities a little more difficult than they need to be. Mobility, joint pain, muscle stiffness, and more can all quickly make a senior’s daily tasks harder than normal.
Now picture a community where your senior loved one can stay independent and enjoy every day how they choose—but receive custom-tailored support designed to intervene when a daily task gets too difficult. They can get help with:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Housekeeping
- Managing medication
This exists—it’s assisted living. This is a long-term type of senior living designed to promote independence and autonomy while helping with the tasks that give your loved one trouble.
Your loved one can spend their days doing the things they love without worrying about the struggles of their activities of daily living. It’s like a blend of independent living and around-the-clock care; your loved one gets the support they need to stay independent in their day-to-day life.
When is It Time for Assisted Living?
Identifying the signs that your loved one is starting to struggle is key. By recognizing that they’re having a problem with their daily activities, you can step in to get your loved one the care they need.
Try to keep an eye out for:
- Difficulty remembering to take medications
- Challenges with personal care, like bathing or dressing
- Noticeable weight loss or poor nutrition
- Increased isolation or loneliness
- Untidy living spaces or neglected housekeeping
- Frequent falls or difficulty moving around
- Unpaid bills or financial management issues
If any of these signs sound familiar, then it’s time for assisted living.
How to Choose a Senior Living Community
Choosing the right senior living community is key. Remember—while independent and assisted living have some similarities, they also have different strengths and benefits.
Start by assessing the level of care your loved one needs. Can they remain fully independent, or do they need some help with their daily tasks? Do they need support with their everyday activities, or are they just looking to downsize and live a simpler lifestyle?
It can help to research communities near you to get an overall feel for the environment and amenities. Try to pay attention to:
- The cleanliness of the community
- How the staff and residents interact
- The overall atmosphere of the community
- The proximity to your loved one’s friends and family
Make sure you’re including your loved one in the process. By working together and considering all the factors, you can make an informed decision to help find your loved one a place that truly meets their needs.
Find Your Loved One’s Future Home
Choosing the right senior living community is a crucial step; it gives you the peace of mind of knowing your loved one is well taken care of.
Here at Kingston Residence of Santa Fe, we can help. Contact our community today to find your loved one’s future home!
