Independent Living vs Assisted Living: What’s the difference?

When it comes to Senior Living, it isn’t always about an issue that someone has become ill or has lost their independence.  Retirees have a wide range of options, whether they want to remain as independent as possible or just need some assistance with activities of daily living.  But which type of environment is the best fit?

You will need to do a little research and some leg work to find the right balance.  There are things to consider, such as, independence, safety, comfort, and amenities.   Most of us think that staying at home is familiar and may feel like the ideal scenario but being at home alone can also be isolating and unhealthy for any of us.   So, you have to stop and really consider everything you are looking for.  Are you looking due to an illness or just thinking of downsizing?  Both great reasons to look at options for senior living.  Home repairs and maintenance along with just day-to-day chores can put a real strain on seniors.  If there are health issues, that can make those responsibilities even more difficult.  For some, moving into a retirement community can actually give them more independence and freedom to enjoy other activities.

While Independent and assisted living communities both offer thoughtfully designed housing, senior-friendly amenities, restaurant style dinning and exciting social activities; there is one major difference between these options: Assisted living provides seniors help with activities of daily living (ADLs), like bathing and dressing, while independent living is for those who can complete daily tasks without assistance. Both communities cater to residents’ individual needs in different ways.  While Assisted Livings also do not offer a full kitchen with ovens, they do allow microwaves, and provide refrigerators (not all offer full size refrigerators) most will have all day available menus in the dining rooms as well.   Independent and Assisted Living both allow you to have your vehicle.  Most will only have space available or 1 vehicle per apartment.

So, let’s take a more detail look at Assisted vs Independent.

Assisted living communities

Assisted living communities provide housing and personalized health care services for seniors. You may also hear it is offered as “aging in place” housing.  This just means that if there is a memory care or even long term care offered on the same property, then you would not have to move if your needs increased over time.  Most assisted livings offer a “cost of care” associated with the care needs. In assisted living there will be a Medication Tech or an LPN that administer medications.  In some communities they charge for that upfront, so for instance, you might pay $250 on top of apartment rent for them to administer your medications.  No all communities have that charge, but some do.   Assisted Living services are for residents who require some additional support like medication management, help with personal hygiene tasks, dressing, and mobility assistance.  Typically, the more assistance, the more the cost!

Assisted living communities provide:

• Apartment-style living

• Assistance with ADLs like bathing, grooming, and eating

• Housekeeping and laundry services (you are able to wash your own clothes if you desire)

• Restaurant-style dining, daily snacks, and happy hour

• Event calendars of a variety of activities that are developed based on residents’ interests and passions, including day trips to explore local community offerings like dining and entertainment

• Local transportation that allows residents to run errands, shop for groceries, or attend off-site medical appointments (You will also be allowed to have at least 1 vehicle in most circumstances)

Another important question to ask is about the staff-to-resident ratio. You want to know how readily available staff is to residents.  There are no set ratios at this time in Georgia.

Assisted living communities usually have certain health standards for admitting new residents to make sure that a person’s medical needs are within the community’s abilities. For example, seniors who require a high level of medical attention, including 24-hour care, may need a different type of living arrangement, such as a nursing home or memory care.

Now let’s look at Independent living!

Independent living communities

While there may be overlap between independent living and assisted living communities in terms of amenities, independent living usually means that residents are self-sufficient and don’t need hands-on care.

A good way I saw referenced to think of an independent living community is as an age-restricted (typically 55+) apartment complex with additional conveniences for seniors. Independent living communities usually feature organized activities, as well as meal and transportation services. Some communities may even go above and beyond with housekeeping and errand services. They may offer apartment style, or some even offer more duplex style, single story floor living.

Independent living communities offer:

• Community involvement

• Amenity-filled, maintenance-free living

• On- and off-site activities like yoga, gardening, game nights, and devotional services, library

• Basic services like meals, laundry, housekeeping, and transportation

• Swimming pools, gyms and most have some type of Bistro or Bar/Pub as well

Many independent living communities also allow home health services, and some may offer their own in-house therapy group.  This can be a great help for those having a scheduled medical procedure, or who need extra help for a short period of time.

Bottom line

Independent living is ideal for older adults who don’t need personal care services, such as help with ADLs, but no longer want the burden of home ownership and home maintenance.

Assisted living is ideal for older adults who would benefit from a social, apartment setting and need assistance with ADLs and medication management.

In most cases, choosing between independent living and assisted living will come down to your budget and the level of care you need. Assisted living is typically more expensive than independent living. Medicaid, in Georgia, will not cover the cost of assisted living, or independent.  Medicare does not cover the cost of either.  If you have long term care insurance, check your policy to see if they will help with assisted living

When choosing between assisted living and independent living, involve close friends and family in your decision-making process. Best advice, start today, before a health or financial crisis makes the search more stressful. Many assisted living communities have waiting lists for new residents. So, start now. Consider just get your name on the list.  You don’t have to move just because they call, but at least you would have the option. 

There are pricing differences to understand as well as the amenities and medical services offered.  Ask all the questions you can think to ask.  Don’t be shy, this is your life or your loved ones.  You need to be comfortable with all aspects of the community with no hidden surprises.

I hope this helps to clear up some of the main differences in Independent Living and Assisted Living.  Just be sure to do your research and ask questions.  If I can help with the research, just shoot me an email at help@honestanswersonaging.com. 

Sources:

Meshram, K. & O’Cass, A. (2013, May 24). Empowering senior citizens via third places: Research driven model development of seniors’ empowerment and social engagement in social places. Journal of Services Marketing.

Kate Van Dis, NCOA Center for Healthy Aging