Senior Independent Living Vs Assisted Living | Which one is better for seniors?

senior independent living vs assisted

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There are two options to consider when you are looking into senior living: assisted living and senior independent living. Nevertheless, how do you pick between the two? Here are some crucial distinctions you need to be aware of in order to answer this question and aid you in making your choice.  

When considering aged care options, deciding between independent living and a level of assisted care is an important step in the decision-making process. However, there are a few holes that must be filled before making a choice.  

Seniors in fair or good health might be confused about the difference between independent living and assisted living. Both options can promote independence, lessen the burden on caregivers, and aid in the long-term health of seniors. Each type of living arrangement allows you to have a private apartment or condo, but there are also significant differences that can influence your choice. Here is a summary of the fundamentals. 

Assisted living facilities support people who require help with daily tasks while preserving as much of their independence as possible. Independent Living Communities, on the other hand, enable residents to live independently with little assistance. Instead, they place a strong emphasis on each person’s social needs.  

 

What is Senior Independent Living?  

Senior Independent Living simply refers to any type of housing arrangement created specifically for older adults, typically those who are over the age of 55. Housing is very varied, ranging from single-family detached homes to apartment-style living. In general, housing is more accommodating to older people, frequently being smaller, easier to navigate, and requiring less upkeep and yard work.  

The majority of communities provide amenities, activities, and services even though residents live independently. The chance to interact with others and take part in group activities like arts and crafts, holiday get-togethers, continuing education classes, or movie nights is frequently provided by on-site recreation centres or clubhouses. 

Facilities for senior independent living may also include a gym, tennis courts, a golf course, a swimming pool, and other clubs and interest groups. In-house spas, hair and beauty salons, daily meals, and simple housekeeping and laundry services are some additional services that might be provided.  

Most independent living facilities do not provide medical care or nursing staff because they are designed for older adults who require little to no assistance with activities of daily living. However, if you need it, you can hire domestic help separately.  

As with any change in living circumstances, it’s crucial to prepare in advance and allow yourself enough time and space to adjust. You can find independent living facilities that simplify your life, increases your level of independence, and enables you to thrive in your retirement by using the advice in this article.  

 

Is senior independent living a wise decision? What distinguishes independent living from a nursing home?  

Independent living is based in the community and intended for seniors who are fit and active. It enables seniors to take advantage of conveniences and services while maintaining their privacy and independence. These facilities are a great option for anyone moving into a setting that is less demanding than their home because seniors in them have the ability to control and make decisions that will affect them.  

The population of seniors 65 and older increased by 3.6% in 2020, according to data from the Australia Bureau of Statistics, and this number is predicted to rise by 2036. The number of elderly people is rising, which is increasing the demand for assisted living retirement housing.  

Are you or a senior family member making the right decision by choosing independent living facilities or assisted living homes? Find out by reading on.  

 

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Independent Living Costs    

There is no standard cost of independent living because several factors, such as the specific community and where you live, influence the overall cost. A regular senior apartment, for example, will be less expensive than a retirement community with meals and numerous amenities.  

Because it does not provide health care or personal assistance care, independent living generally costs less than other types of senior care 

 

Benefits Of Independent Living for Seniors  

Independent living arrangements can provide significant benefits to healthy seniors. They can maintain control over their daily activities while receiving independent living support services. The following are some of the advantages of independent living for seniors 

  • Social activity: Independent living allows seniors to participate in more social and recreational activities. The social activity provides peer support and keeps them from feeling isolated. Seniors in communities have equal access to social activities.  
  • Peace of mind: Seniors who live in communities are at ease because they do not have to worry about performing mundane daily tasks. Seniors can enjoy life and pursue interests such as reading or playing board games with their peers.  
  • Wellness: Because there are a variety of professionals on-site, including nutritionists, independent living improves senior physical, emotional, and mental wellness. Seniors, for example, can engage in low-impact exercises to maintain physical wellness.  
  • Helps with loneliness: Most seniors live alone, which can be dangerous for the elderly. According to PwC data, single people have increased their occupancy rate by 68%. They can interact with their peers in independent living communities without making plans or arranging transportation.  

 

What is Assisted Living?  

Some seniors may be cognitively or physically incapable of living alone. They could be developing or have chronic health conditions like heart disease or diabetes.

They may be experiencing the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. For these and other reasons, many older adults prefer to live in an assisted living community 

In an assisted living community, older adults have their own living space (which can be private or semi-private), typically in the form of an apartment-style set of rooms, as well as access to additional care and assistance as needed.

Staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to assist residents with daily living activities (ADLs), from toileting assistance and dressing and grooming assistance to scheduling doctor’s appointments and transportation to those appointments. Residents are encouraged to be as self-sufficient as possible, despite the availability of additional care.  

In addition, assisted living communities typically employ one or more full-time medical personnel, such as certified nursing assistants who receive training geared towards the needs of older adults, an RN or LVN, or a doctor, all of whom are trained to provide emergency medical care should the need arise.

Some assisted living communities also have specialized memory care units where those with more advanced cognitive issues can receive expert care. These units, which are frequently located within a community, provide advanced security measures such as secured entrances/exits and additional surveillance equipment. Apartments in memory care units typically do not have kitchens due to safety concerns.   

 

Benefits of Assisted Living  

 

Personalized care  

Facilities for assisted living put an emphasis on the experiences, particular health requirements, and personal preferences of each resident. The staff in assisted living facilities get to know each resident, making them feel at home, figuring out what kind of support they require, and setting up the best conditions for that. This may involve giving medication, monitoring mood and behaviour, or providing nursing care around the clock. Your loved one’s senior care will be provided in a holistic manner.  

 

Assistance with daily activities  

Since many assisted living residents are independent, the range and intensity of support required varies from person to person. As they age, your loved one may require assistance with daily tasks like cleaning the house, getting around, bathing, dressing, maintaining hygiene, and doing the laundry. Assisted living facilities can be useful in this situation.

The staff offers dignified, respectful assistance. Your loved one might require assistance with walking, assistance with memory loss, or respite care. There is an assisted living facility to accommodate your loved one’s needs, whether they require assistance frequently or only occasionally.  

 

Security and safety 

Safety is one of your top concerns as a caregiver for your loved one. When driving becomes hazardous, or when you are concerned for their safety while they are cooking by themselves at home, it is time to start considering assisted living facilities. Communities create a culture of safety, and it is evident in everything from their staff-to-patient ratio, adherence to policies, training, and skills to a community’s design that discourages falls, emergency preparedness plans, secure access, and more.  

Many apartments also have security features that can call for emergency assistance and more attentive care and monitoring, especially for residents of memory care facilities. 

 

Homey Atmosphere 

The aim is to be peaceful and nurturing. The assisted living facility where your loved one resides should have a familiar atmosphere. The best assisted living homes offer access to common areas, outdoor settings, and more while being cosy and relaxing.

Even more likely, your loved one will have access to many of the same comforts and conveniences they would enjoy at home, such as chapel services, a business centre, a beauty salon, and more. 

 

Independence and fun 

Even though assisted living facilities offer advanced personal care, your loved one doesn’t have to use these services if they don’t.

Your loved one can live independently in assisted living while also having access to conveniences and services that improve their quality of life. Maybe your parents are getting old and don’t want to maintain a big house. They may be ageing and require additional services in the future, and should this be the case, they find comfort in many of the services offered in an assisted living community.

As opposed to a nursing home or hospital setting, think of assisted living as a step up from a retirement community. 

 

More free time 

Your loved one won’t have to worry about things like housework or home maintenance once they move into assisted living. Heavy cleaning, cooking, snow shovelling, and yard work are all things of the past. The hassle-free benefit of assisted living is ideal for senior citizens as they age, particularly if your loved one is having difficulty performing these activities or has become a health risk. 

 

Assisted Living vs Independent Living  

 

COST  

When it comes to costs, assisted living is based on a rental model. Housekeeping, nursing observation, three meals a day, maintenance, security, programming, and 24-hour staffing are all covered by monthly fees. The services also include one to two hours of daily personal care, which includes assisting residents with bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and medical administration.  

Independent living expenses are lower than those of assisted living. For example, when residents move into their chosen retirement communities, they must pay an entrance fee. Furthermore, the payment is generally refundable, with 75% to 90% of the total amount refunded when they leave. There are also monthly fees for housekeeping, security, maintenance, a few meals, and programming.  

 

COMMUNITY DESIGN  

The assisted living facilities are self-contained, which means they have a smaller footprint. The resident’s needs are met right in the building. Memory programs, such as improved lighting, visual cues, colour coding, and so on, are also incorporated into the design. These are measures put in place to help residents navigate paths and secure both indoor and outdoor spaces.  

Independent living communities are becoming larger and more dispersed. There are central gathering areas, and the distance between buildings and other facilities is relatively short, encouraging walks or short drives.  

 

AMENITIES AND OTHER SERVICES  

Your monthly fees will typically include a list of amenities and services in each community. Private apartments, 24-hour staff, housekeeping, and security are available. Transportation, dining options, events, and social opportunities are also available. There are also common areas for social activities, such as cafes, gaming rooms, gaming rooms, small libraries, and others.  

Both communities have their own set of programming activities. Residents in assisted living communities typically have more programming hours per day, particularly memory programs.  

 

MEDICAL SUPPORT 

Staff at assisted living facilities support and assist all residents in their daily activities. The staff is well-trained, and many of them are registered nurses. These individuals are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure convenience and safety. Many communities also provide on-site health care services, so residents do not have to leave to see their doctors. 

It is clear from the preceding sections that senior independent living is intended for people who do not require extensive assistance or medical care. As a result, while most communities do not provide much medical assistance to residents, they do have access to immediate assistance in the event of an emergency. 

 

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What Kinds of Senior Care Options Should You Consider?  

 

  • In-Home Personal Care  

Seniors who receive in-home personal care can continue to live in their own homes because some healthcare services are brought in to assist them. This type of care, also known as home health care, allows the elderly to maintain the comfort and autonomy of living in their own homes.

Caregivers can assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation, as well as instrumental ADLs such as transportation, bill payment, and dental health checkups. You can have caregivers available 24/7, during specific hours, or on specific days of the week.  

In-home personal care may be the best option for a senior who prefers not to leave their home but requires assistance with ADLs. These services are usually billed by the hour, but you may need to make some home modifications to accept the changing needs of elderly family members.  

Auspire Care aged care health services, for example, provide home care packages that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of individual seniors. Caregivers can assist with pet care, minor household repairs and maintenance, lawn mowing, laundry, and other general household support in addition to medical care.  

 

  • Independent Living Communities  

Seniors who can still live independently and have few health issues are best suited for independent living communities, also known as congregate care or retirement communities. Apartments ranging in size from studio to two bedrooms are the norm, though some may include standalone houses. Occupants have a variety of social outings, fun activities, and custom-designed food packs to choose from. Private payment plans are typically required for this senior care option.  

In order to give healthy, independent seniors a chance to engage in social, educational, and recreational activities with other people their own age, independent senior communities were developed. These neighbourhoods are typically age-restricted and lack on-campus healthcare services.  

 

  • Skilled Nursing  

Seniors who need advanced medical care should receive skilled nursing care. Typically, elderly people who require rehabilitation following a fall or other injury or after going to the emergency room should consider this option.  

Licensed medical professionals with the necessary education and training to help the elderly recover from illness or injury provide skilled nursing services. To help seniors regain their health and strength, they offer vital medical care.  

Most people who reside in skilled nursing facilities do so for a brief period of time before moving on to an assisted living facility or going back to their homes.  

 

  • Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)  

Retirement communities that provide a full range of healthcare and lifestyle options to residents are known as continuing-care retirement communities (CCRCs).

Typically, this covers assisted living, independent living, and skilled nursing care. Different CCRC contract types exist, with some providing senior residents with an all-inclusive “Life Care” guarantee of health care services. Others offer medical care and other services on a fee-for-service or a la carte basis.  

As their care needs develop, residents can start in the independent living area and move to other areas of the same community. Seniors who don’t want to worry about future care needs and want to live in the same place for the rest of their lives should consider CCRCs. They are also appropriate for couples who want to remain together even if one of them needs more medical attention and care.  

 

  • Assisted Living  

For elderly people who are unable to live independently or alone, assisted living facilities offer a special combination of supportive healthcare services and residential housing. Your family members should consider getting assistance from assisted living facilities if they need additional but limited help with activities like taking their medications, bathing, and preparing meals. 

The majority of facilities offer a variety of upkeep services, including laundry, cleaning, transportation, leisure activities, and communal dining. Depending on the centre or facility you select, the designs and amenities range from basic to extravagant.  

 

  • Senior Daycare 

Senior daycare facilities can help elderly individuals who require more supervision during the day. Seniors who enjoy going out and socialising with others may find daycares to be beneficial as they offer both social interaction and cognitive stimulation. Senior daycare facilities can assist with expert medical care in addition to the social aspect. 

Transportation, meal service, occupational and physical therapies, speech therapy, personal care and grooming, medication assistance, and primary health monitoring are typically offered by senior daycare facilities. This daycare also has the benefit of giving your family’s daily primary caregivers more assistance.

In the care of professionals, seniors can stay secure and socially engaged, freeing up caregivers to handle personal matters or run errands. 

 

  • Nursing Homes 

Elderly people who require 24/7 care are housed in nursing homes, which are long-term care facilities. The facility offers qualified nurses who are licenced and on call around the clock, seven days a week, to provide top-notch medical assistance. For seniors recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery, some nursing homes provide short-term rehabilitative care. 

However, the majority of nursing home residents have serious medical issues that necessitate a high level of care and round-the-clock skilled nursing care. Residents typically share bedrooms and eat meals in a communal dining room unless they are too weak to do so. 

 

Final Words  

With a range of senior care options available, it can be challenging to determine the best fit for your loved ones. It might help to support the elderly in deciding the type of care they want to receive and when and where they want it. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure their care needs are met in a comfortable and safe setting. 

 

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