Independent Living vs. Assisted Living: What's the Difference?
If you are considering a retirement community, either for yourself or an aging loved one, you may be wondering about the differences between assisted living and independent living.
Is independent living the same as assisted living? The short answer is no. Read on to learn all about the differences between assisted living and independent living.
The Differences Between Assisted Living and Independent Living
In many cases, the core differences between independent living vs. assisted living is right there in the name:
Independent Living
Independent living offers residents the opportunity to live independently. There is little need for advanced health services or support for daily living. Older adults who choose an independent living community are simply choosing to live a lifestyle with limited maintenance responsibilities, and often downsize their space and purge unneeded belongings to simplify their lifestyle.
Many 55+ neighborhoods technically fall into this category, as well as retirement communities where someone may live in a house, condo or apartment and indulge in the amenities or activities offered, travel multiple times throughout the year, play golf every day, or however else they want to spend their retirement.
Put another way, independent living communities are very similar to a gated or planned community you would find anywhere in the country, typically with detached or semi-detached housing units. These communities often offer a clubhouse, pool, fitness center, and other amenities.
Assisted Living
Assisted living communities, on the other hand, provide more assistance with daily living. While they may still be packed with attractive amenities, they are more likely to be an apartment complex with 24/7 support from staff for health needs as well as support with daily living. They might help with dressing, bathing, taking medications, dining, and similar tasks.
Put more succinctly:
- Independent living is for self-sufficient older adults who want to live their best retirement life however they see fit
- Assisted living is for those who require assistance with daily living necessities due to age-related physical or cognitive declines.
Key Takeaway: Choosing Between Independent Living and Assisted Living
The decision between independent living and assisted living hinges on your current and anticipated needs. Independent living offers an active, maintenance-free lifestyle for those who are self-sufficient, while assisted living provides personalized support for daily activities. Explore the key differences below to determine which option best suits yours or your loved one’s lifestyle and priorities.
|
Feature |
Independent Living |
Assisted Living |
|
Target Resident |
Active, self-sufficient seniors who want a maintenance-free lifestyle and social opportunities |
Seniors who require assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, medication management, etc. |
|
Level of Care |
Minimal or no assistance needed. Focus on wellness programs and social activities. |
Personalized care plans tailored to individual needs, including assistance with daily living activities, medication management, and 24-hour support. |
|
Housing Options |
Private apartments or cottages with kitchenettes or full kitchens. |
Private or semi-private apartments with accessibility features and 24-hour emergency response systems. |
|
Amenities & Services |
Dining venues, fitness centers, pools, social activities, transportation, housekeeping, etc. |
Similar amenities to independent living, plus additional services like medication management, personal care assistance, and specialized programming for residents with specific needs. |
|
Cost |
Generally lower monthly fees compared to assisted living. |
Higher monthly fees to cover the cost of personalized care and support services. |
|
Flexibility |
Residents enjoy greater independence and freedom to come and go as they please. |
While residents have freedom, additional support and supervision are in place for safety and well-being. |
|
Social Opportunities |
Abundant opportunities for social engagement through clubs, events, excursions, and shared spaces. |
Opportunities for social interaction are provided, but may be more structured or tailored to specific needs. |
|
Dining |
Multiple dining venues with flexible meal plans. |
Assistance with dining may be provided based on individual needs. |
|
Transportation |
Scheduled transportation services for outings and appointments. |
Transportation assistance is typically provided, including escorts for medical appointments. |
|
Healthcare |
Some communities provide on-site wellness programs and access to healthcare professionals. |
Personalized care plans and 24-hour access to nursing staff. |
Is Assisted Living or Independent Living Best for Your Situation?
Having now learned the difference between assisted living and independent living, you may be wondering how to decide which is right for your situation.
While every circumstance is unique, here are some general guidelines for deciding between assisted living or independent living for you or a loved one:
- If the person reading this article is the prospective resident, you’re likely interested in independent living.
- If the person reading this article is an adult child of an aging parent or you are simply aiding a loved one, it may be harder to discern if your loved one(s) are right for independent living or assisted living. A common guideline is if your parent or loved one can perform daily routines like bathing, eating and taking medications on their own, independent living is still an option. We encourage you to consult a professional long-term healthcare and/or senior living provider.
Another consideration is of course cost. Here are more general guidelines, around the cost of independent living vs. assisted living:
- Independent living tends to be more affordable in terms of monthly cost. You are receiving less health-related services, so you would pay less for them. The tradeoff is that any additional services you need will be out of pocket and can’t necessarily be budgeted for.
- Assisted living tends to cost more than independent living in terms of a monthly fee, because you are paying for the special services of a 24/7 staff, medical equipment, and other related elements.
It’s worth noting that the decision doesn’t have to be between only assisted living or independent living. There is an option that expertly encapsulates both.
Best of Both Worlds: Continuing Care Retirement Communities
As we age, our bodies naturally change. Your health and activity levels at 65 won’t necessarily be the same as they are at 75 or 85. This means your needs for assisted living or independent living may very well change.
Because of this exact phenomenon, an increasingly popular option is what’s called a continuing care retirement community, or CCRC.
The way CCRCs work is that residents typically start in independent living communities. Think private residences, access to amenities like swimming pools, putting greens, fine dining, activities, hobbies, excursions, and all the luxuries you would expect from a quality independent living environment.
However, should you ever need a higher level of care such as assisted living, those services are provided right on campus for the same consistent monthly fee.
In a CCRC, you can move in as an independent living resident and transition into assisted living or even skilled care if ever needed. Your monthly fee will not balloon to match the differences between typical independent living vs. assisted living costs. You will have already locked in consistent costs no matter how much additional support you need.
It is this peace of mind that has so many older adults opting for the best of both worlds. If you are an adult child and your aging parent isn’t necessarily in need of full assisted living now, but might in the future, a CCRC could be the ideal solution.
In the End, The Choice is Up to You
Now that you know the differences between assisted living, independent living, and CCRCs, the choice is up to you. Your decision will be based on many factors such as yours or your loved one’s personal needs, finances, and plans for the future.
This is an extremely important and personal choice. So knowing what assisted living vs. independent living is will help you make an informed decision that you can be sure to be satisfied with long into the future.
Acts Retirement-Life Communities is a network of 28 CCRCs across nine states. Along with an independent living “life care” contract which pre-arranges your future healthcare at predictable rates, we also provide direct admission to our revered assisted living facilities if the resident is no longer appropriate for independent living. View our retirement communities resources to learn more about what type of facility is right for you.
Or feel free to explore our offerings to learn if an Acts community is right for your preferred lifestyle.
