Navigating Senior Living: Retirement Homes vs. Independent Living

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Seniors often have numerous decisions to make. One question that must be answered is where they will live and how they will spend their time. Retirement homes and independent living are two options they will need to consider. While there are some similarities between these two options, men and women must be aware of the differences.

Retirement Homes

Retirement homes are frequently known as assisted living facilities. When looking into retirement home arrangements, families must understand that residents tend to be self-sufficient but need help. They can no longer live alone because they cannot complete essential daily activities of living without help.  Unlike a nursing home, a retirement home does not offer 24-hour care 7 days a week. Residents live on their own and have staff members come in and help them with specific tasks. They complete most things independently. 

Amenities found in most retirement homes include dining services, housekeeping, maintenance, and transportation. The community typically offers assistance with healthcare tasks, including medication delivery and management, nurse assistants, and fitness and wellness programs. The community may also provide an on-site fitness center and other amenities to keep residents active and improve their physical, mental, and emotional health.

The staff will help residents coordinate their care. In addition, these communities offer social programs and events, common areas where residents can socialize with one another or family and friends, and security on site. Each location determines which amenities it offers, so families must learn more whenever they visit a community to see if it is a good fit for their loved one.

Independent Living

Independent living, in contrast, is for men and women who can live independently while benefiting from community activities, amenities, and services. People often refer to independent living communities as supportive, retirement, or congregate communities. Residents benefit from being surrounded by their peers and may have some services on-site to make their lives easier. The services vary by community, so families must ask when visiting each community. However, some amenities are more common than others. 

Services and amenities frequently found in independent living communities include dining services, housekeeping, maintenance, and transportation. The community plans social programs and events while offering communal areas for residents and guests. However, monitoring and emergency support are typically the only healthcare services in an independent living community. Residents can call for help if they have an accident or injury, and staff members will check on them regularly, but the services are limited in this area.

Independent living is much like aging in place. Residents have their own living spaces and can gather with fellow residents and communal areas. They can still have privacy and time alone when desired, but they know someone is always around if they want companionship or need help. Residents may also benefit from on-site fitness centers, golf courses, tennis courts, and other amenities to stay active and healthy.

Men and women must realize that these communities differ in other ways. Each community determines what it offers residents. Families should visit multiple locations to find the right fit for their loved ones. Seniors don’t want to move regularly, so finding this community is very important. Once they settle in, they will want to remain there because they are thriving. In their final years, they have everything they want or need for the highest quality of life.

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