Growing old means becoming dependent on others and increasing the need for medical assistance; many people find the transition to old age difficult and overwhelming as most of them need to shift to a senior living facility to meet their medical demands.
Assisted sell your diabetic strips to living and independent living are two common solutions. They are quite similar yet have their unique features and facilities to offer.
Assisted living facilities offer 24-hour assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, administering medicines, and mobility.
This constant presence of a caregiver is the biggest difference between assisted living and independent living facilities.
An assisted living facility is a great alternative to a nursing home and has up to 30 apartments that vary in size from a single room to multiple rooms with a shared kitchen. Staff at these facilities creates customized care plans that offer personalized services to each resident.
In addition to medical attention, residents are provided with housekeeping and laundry services, delicious meals enriched with nutrients three times a day along with snacks, an emergency call system, security, exercise facilities, wellness, and social programs, recreational activities, and transportation services.
Independent living facilities offer the same services as assisted living but do not offer 24-hour support from trained nurses and caregivers. Independent living is for old seniors who are still active and require minimum support with day to day to day activities. Independent living offers seniors to live in a community; this is ideal for old adults who are living alone in their house.
Independent living offers individual rooms but multiple common areas such as game rooms, libraries, dining halls, business centers, and computer rooms. This allows them to interact with fellow residents and create beautiful friendships.
Content Summary
Medical care services in assisted living vs. independent living
Assisted living is a great solution for people who require 24 support but do not require intensive medical care. Independent living is ideal for seniors who can carry out daily activities as it does not provide medical care.
Independent living preserves the independence of the senior and provides peace of mind to people who can no longer live alone. But for people who can no longer function without the help of another and can no longer tend to their basic needs, assisted living is the solution for them.
Support provided by assisted living facilities
Assisted living facilities provide extensive support 24 hours a day. In the majority of the cases, seniors who choose to live in assisted living communities have chronic and progressive health conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s.
They require more and more extensive care as days pass. In order to ensure residents receive the support they need, assisted living facilities offer different levels of care based on how much aid and assistance the resident requires. To know more about the different levels of care, click here.
Support provided by independent living facilities
Independent living facilities do not offer daily support. Caregivers and nurses are not available at all times. However, residents are offered an independent lifestyle, and housekeeping chores such as laundry, lawn maintenance, and security surveillance are all taken care of.
Some independent living facilities are associated with assisted living or nursing homes. If a resident requires additional care, they are shifted to the associated assisted living or nursing home. However, most seniors in independent living communities live long and healthy life without requiring additional medical care.
Community life in independent living vs. assisted living
Both independent living and assisted living communities offer vast opportunities to socialize, make friends, experience new adventures, and try new hobbies and activities. Both kinds of facilities offer life enrichment staff who create monthly event calendars full of events, trips, and group activities in order to encourage socialization. Events include book clubs, cooking classes, and exercise classes.
Infrastructure
Independent living and assisted living facilities differ in how the apartment and residences are laid out. In independent living facilities, there are inbuilt homes and buildings connected to restaurants, pools, beauty parlors, and much more.
On the other hand, assisted living facilities are much smaller, and shared community spaces are inside one building. However, there are still outdoor spaces for residents to take a walk.
Amenities offered in assisted living facilities vs. independent living
Services offered by independent living and assisted living are tailored to the needs, likes, and interests of the residents that reside there. There are restaurants, beauty salons, and outdoor spaces constructed on-site.
Independent living communities offer a wide variety of recreational and entertainment activities and opportunities, such as gardening classes, book clubs, and movie events.
Some provide health and wellness options such as exercise programs, fitness centers, and jogging tracks. Other amenities include concierge services, art studios, and cafes. These facilities also provide taxi services and transportation services for shopping trips and doctor visits.
The majority of the independent living facilities offer flexible and customized meal plans. Sometimes the residents have to pay additional fees to eat more than three meals per day or in restaurants.
On the other hand, assisted living communities do not charge additional fees for eating extra meals or in the dining hall. Meals are prepared according to the needs and likes of every resident by trained chefs. The chefs cook the meals according to the resident’s nutritional requirements and medical needs.
Assisted living staff create customized diets that are in accordance with the resident’s medical condition, such as heart disease or diabetes. They also offer snacks throughout the day without any additional charges.
Family involvement
Both assisted living and independent living facilities encourage families to stay involved. Family members are always welcome to visit, throw their loved ones’ parties, and talk to them. No other person can replace someone you love and raised, which is why family involvement is vital in order to avoid depression.
Caregivers can be at peace knowing that their seniors and loved ones are safe, secure, well taken care of, and not isolated. Independent living facilities ask families to provide support to seniors that have chronic health issues.
On the other hand, assisted living completely relieves family members of all caregiver responsibilities. The staff at the assisted living facility makes sure the needs of seniors are met. However, family members should come and often visit, keep them updated about all family events and talk to them daily in order to reduce their stress levels.
The bottom line
Assisted living and independent living facilities are great options to consider when family members can no longer afford the expensive medical treatment and needs of seniors. Both of these communities offer medical assistance and ensure that the needs of seniors are met. However, they have their differences.
Assisted living is ideal for seniors who cannot carry out even the basic daily tasks such as bathing and changing clothes. At the same time, independent living is ideal for seniors who can take care of themselves and want to stay independent.
