Unlike assisted living, independent living is ideal for people who can still live independently but have access to assistance when needed. Independent living communities provide residents with convenient access to restaurants, medical care, entertainment, and more. The independent lifestyle provides residents with a safe living environment but with minimal support. Catering services such as cleaning services, meals, and laundry may or may not be included in the monthly rent, but are usually available.
The
independent cost of living can vary dramatically depending on where you live and the municipality in question. Independent living options are generally designed and furnished specifically for older adults, and the type of apartments they offer, from apartments to townhouses to single-family homes, may vary. With many seniors choosing independent living for access to convenient services and amenities, it’s important to find out which ones are most valuable to you. In other words, “independence in the context of a rental pension community depends largely on where the person lives and how they are able to live as independently as possible, even if they require help.
Ultimately, the choice between assisted living and independent living should be determined by the needs of your loved one. Comfort is king in independent living communities, and access to local amenities plays a big role. One consistent thing is that independent living is the most cost-effective type of senior care as it doesn’t offer personal care and healthcare services. Some seniors who live alone find independent lives to ease their loneliness and the burden of managing a clean, well-maintained home themselves.
We’ve made the decision easier by identifying some of the common qualities of independent residents. In an independent residential community, residents live largely independently in a residential environment, participate in community life and at the same time enjoy the luxury of private accommodation, usually in an apartment or villa. This means that a resident of a rental pension community may have certain care needs (this is the “plus”) but is still considered independent simply because they are still living in their home rather than moving to a separate community or assisted living care facility. Many communities offer both assisted and independent living and residents can adapt their lifestyles to meet their changing needs.
The average age of seniors in these communities is between 74 and 75, and housing options vary from private homes to apartments and suites. Although independent communities may not have specific qualifications for general staff, many require employees to receive training in emergency preparedness, such as in the event of a fire or natural disaster, and infection control. The main difference between independent living and other types of senior living is that the focus is not on providing regular medical care or helping with daily living activities such as bathing and dressing, although some facilities have on-site assisted living and medical staff , which can intervene if necessary. Independent living communities (also known as active adults, 55+, 62+, senior living communities or retirement communities) offer healthy seniors the freedom to maintain a relaxing and social lifestyle with the added convenience of services such as housekeeping, ready meals, and transportation.
