Independent Living vs. Assisted Living: A Quick Guide to Differences
You want what’s best for your loved one, no matter what that looks like. If you’ve been researching senior care, you may be overwhelmed with all of the different options.
Terms like “assisted living,” “independent living,” and “in-home care” float around often, but what do they actually mean? Learn about the differences between independent living and assisted living and how they both affect aging adults. This guide can help you make an informed decision about your elder loved one’s care.
Remember the Goal: Caring for Your Loved One
Before diving into comparisons of independent living and assisted living, remember what’s important: getting your loved one the best care possible.
Unfortunately, senior care often comes with a negative stigma. However, there’s nothing wrong with getting your senior loved one some help with their activities of daily living (ADLs). There are many types of care that can be tailored to your loved one’s unique needs.
Independent Living: Retirement Communities With Amenities
Independent living communities are exactly what they sound like — places where seniors can live and enjoy social, emotional, and intellectual enrichment. Many independent living communities provide amenities like swimming pools and group classes for different interests, as well as health and wellness programs.
These communities focus on gathering retired adults together to enjoy their golden years. Independent living is for seniors who don’t need help completing ADLs like bathing, dressing, and feeding themselves. As a result, there are fewer accommodations for seniors who need personal assistance in independent living.
Assisted Living: Balancing Assistance and Autonomy
If you’ve ever cared for an aging loved one, you know that they often need help with daily tasks and routines. This is true even for seniors without serious medical conditions or memory problems. Assisted living provides that care while allowing seniors as much freedom and autonomy as they can safely participate in.
In assisted living, personal care attendants or nurses come regularly to help your loved one complete ADLs. They might assist with dressing, safe showering or bathing, and meal preparation as needed.
Some assisted living communities offer amenities similar to independent living, while others are more akin to nursing homes. This often depends on the level of medical and personal care offered at each facility.
Which Type of Care Does Your Loved One Need?
The main question you should ask yourself when choosing senior care for your loved one is “How much assistance do they need?” Both assisted living and independent living offer benefits to aging adults. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for senior care, and your loved one may fall somewhere in between the scope of both communities.
When to Consider Independent Living
Independent living is a good choice if your loved one can:
- Bathe themselves
- Dress themselves
- Feed themselves
- Safely ambulate (walk around)
- Follow daily routines
- Get enough sleep
- Maintain a safe, clean environment
- Groom themselves (brush their hair, clip their nails, etc.)
- Seek medical care independently when they need it
If your loved one is simply seeking a change of scenery and wants to join other retired folks, independent living could be a good option.
When Assisted Living Is the Right Choice
Assisted living may be necessary if your loved one:
- Struggles to complete ADLs independently
- Frequently falls or gets injured
- Cannot follow daily routines independently
- Has trouble monitoring their health and medications
- Has a physical disability that limits their movements
- Has an unsafe home environment
- Doesn’t get enough sleep, food, or water on their own
- Cannot follow good hygiene practices independently
- Needs frequent assistance with personal tasks
Assisted living isn’t inherently a bad choice. However, there is another solution for seniors who want to “age in place” (stay in their homes): in-home care.
Aging in Place With In-Home Care
If both independent living and assisted living feel too disruptful for your loved one, consider in-home care.
Seniors who just need some help with personal tasks can opt for non-medical in-home care, which relieves a lot of stress and pressure. This means they can “age in place” without having to leave their familiar, comfortable space.
In-home care assistants help with scheduling activities, running errands, and completing homemaking tasks like cleaning and cooking. These services free up precious time for your loved one, allowing them to engage in quality time with you and others who are near and dear to them.
In-home care also helps them maintain a safe, clean home environment for years to come. Aging in place is a treasured privilege for senior adults, and by choosing quality in-home care services, your loved one can reap the benefits.
Making Senior Care Decisions With Your Loved One
It’s important to include your senior loved one in discussions about their care. After all, they’re the one who will engage in these experiences.
In-home care is a wonderful choice that gives seniors the best of all worlds: freedom, independence, and personal assistance when they need it. Instead of having to move to a facility and start their social life from scratch, your loved one can stay home and enjoy the people closest to them.
If you’ve been a caregiver for your loved one, now is the time to step back and let professionals help. You deserve a break from caregiving, and your loved one deserves the personalized care that in-home services provide.
No matter which care option you choose, know that you’re doing the right thing by giving your loved one some professional support.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California.
