Getting ready for retirement requires some planning and consideration of several factors such as your preferred type of senior living lifestyle, medical needs, as well as personal and health care needs. As you or your older family members sit down and begin listing down the things that come to mind, it can be a little overwhelming – especially when it comes to understanding Independent Living vs. Assisted Living.
Let’s take a look at the key differences between these two senior living options and find out which one will suit you better.
Types of Personalized Plan
When you have mobility issues and require help to climb down the stairs, to shower or feed yourself, picking an Assisted Living community to retire in will help ease your worries about getting the assistance you need. With a team of professionals and a senior-friendly environment that includes security measures like emergency call systems, you will be able to enjoy your retirement in a comfortable way.
On the other hand, if you are still mobile and active, you will probably be more ready for senior Independent Living. In Independent Living, you will have the flexibility of making more choices on your own such as whipping up dishes for yourself or driving yourself around the neighborhood instead of using the transportation services provided in retirement communities.
In both Independent Living and Assisted Living, you will get to enjoy the senior living programs offered by the retirement community. These include services like having a professional chef around to cook your meals, dining at the communal dining room and complimentary transportation for your shopping sprees, medical appointments or other entertainment purposes.
Health Care and Personal Care Options
The spectrum of amenities, entertainment and lifestyle programs, health care and personal care options in Independent Living often differs from that offered in Assisted Living. Depending on the type of retirement community, the variety will vary from one to another.
However, the extent of help offered for personal and health care aspects including mobility, personal hygiene, feeding of meals or even medication management, is much greater in an Assisted Living community as compared to an Independent Living community.
This is partly due to the differences in health conditions of the residents living in an Independent Living community versus an Assisted Living center. Most seniors who are part of an Independent Living community are still in good health and are able to carry out most of the simple daily activities on their own with little assistance.
Difference in Cost
Independent Living is definitely a more wallet-friendly option if you’re talking about the monthly costs. According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey for senior Assisted Living and Independent Living in Columbus, IN, the median monthly cost of senior Assisted Living is about $4,661 while the average monthly cost of senior Independent Living is $3,467. Hence, if you are looking at Independent Living, it is the more affordable choice.
Independent Living in Columbus, IN
If you’re considering senior Independent Living in a retirement community in Columbus, IN, or helping a loved one to pick a suitable one, then our Independent Living community may be the place that you’re looking for. To learn more about our senior living programs, contact us today.
