If you have spent your life planning ahead, that’s not going to change now you’ve entered retirement. While these offer the prospect of being some of the best years of our lives, the fact is that around 95% of older adults have at least one chronic condition, such as arthritis or diabetes. If this includes you, you’re probably evaluating your accommodation options with a view to getting the best out of the next stage of your life.
This may have brought you to weigh up the relative merits of independent living vs. assisted living. There are undoubted benefits to both, but although the terms are similar, their meanings are very different.
In this article, we’ll examine these two senior living options in more detail so you can make the right choice for your long-term needs.
What Is Independent Living?
An independent living community is a collection of homes designed for seniors. The community provides limited support services, including home maintenance and housekeeping. However, you will still have complete independence and a full calendar of social activities to get involved with.
Who Is Independent Living For?
Independent living is ideal for seniors who want their own home but don’t want the pressures that come with home ownership. You may fall into the category of 80-year-olds who still have the mental and physical capacities of 30-year-olds. Yet, you’d rather someone else arranged repairs, mowed the lawn, and did your laundry.
Typically, independent living communities do not provide any care or medical services. Thus, they’re better suited to people who are in good health and don’t need daily living support. That said, you can arrange for care services to come to your home, but you or your family would usually be responsible for making these arrangements.
Independent Living Advantages
The clue is in the name. Independent living keeps you independent while lessening life’s stresses. The homes are also designed with older folks in mind, making them safer and more accessible.
Independent Living Disadvantages
When choosing senior housing, it is important to think ahead. While you may not need care or nursing services now, what about five or ten years down the line? Would you want to go through another home move when your health is not as good as it is now?
When you weigh up all the pros and cons, you may feel that other senior care solutions, such as assisted living, are more practical for your situation.
Defining Assisted Living
Senior assisted living provides a beautiful home of your own, with the added peace of mind of 24-hour support. Of course, not all residents in the community need the same level of assistance. This includes practical help in the home, such as:
- Weekly housekeeping
- Laundry
- Free transportation
- Laundry and linen service
- Maintenance
These communities are set in beautiful gardens, yet you don’t have to worry about lawn care and weeding! You can take a leisurely walk around the scenic walking paths either on your own or in the company of other residents.
Who Is Assisted Living For?
Assisted living is designed for people who want to maintain independence but need some help each day with certain tasks. These communities can provide services such as:
- 24-hour nursing
- On-call doctors
- Bathing, personal care, and dressing assistance
- Diabetes support
- Dining assistance
Each resident has a personalized care plan, which is updated when needs change. The staff is trained to manage medication, but no doctors work on-site. The staff can help you get to medical appointments and call a doctor as needed.
Comfortable Homes
In senior assisted living communities, homes are designed to provide a private sanctuary that residents can truly make their own. Suites include a private bathroom and seating area, with plenty of storage space for clothes and personal possessions. They are designed to be easily accessible by people with limited mobility, and there is a range of floorplans to meet different preferences.
Many communities are also pet-friendly, allowing you to bring your beloved canine or feline companion with you.
Resort-Style Amenities
Do you love heading to a resort for some relaxation? In an assisted living community, you can get many of the same services right on your doorstep every day of the year.
The focus is on helping residents to live an active and enjoyable life. This includes:
- Live entertainment
- Excursions
- Beauty and barber shop on-site
- Daily social events, games, and recreation activities
Delicious Dining
As the National Council on Aging states, eating healthy can mean less time and money spent at the doctor! In assisted living communities, residents can enjoy tasty, freshly prepared meals in the on-site dining room. The meals are designed to be appetizing but also keep an eye on the nutritional needs of seniors.
Snacks are also available during the day, so you need never go hungry!
Independent Living Vs. Assisted Living – Which One Wins?
Independent living and assisted living communities are both excellent options, but when choosing senior housing, think long-term.
It’s worth considering how you would care for your needs if your health takes a turn for the worse. Also, how would you access memory care services if you need them in the future? Some assisted living communities also offer memory care services, allowing you to remain on the same site if you start to need memory support.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. But to allow you to get on with living as full and active a life as possible, assisted living benefits may just outweigh those of independent living communities.
Choose Senior Assisted Living at TerraBella Northridge
It’s important to weigh up independent living vs. assisted living, and there are key benefits to both. However, if you are managing a chronic condition and expect to need more assistance in the future, senior assisted living is the way to go.
At TerraBella Northridge, nursing care is available 24 hours a day, and doctors are on call. Our specially trained staff can also assist with medication and continence management, diabetes management, and dining assistance.
To help you choose the right senior housing, schedule a tour of our Raleigh, NC, community today!
