Deciding the next steps for your loved one can be challenging when you look at how many options are available for older adults nowadays. Should they continue to age in place? Are they better off in a retirement living community? Do they need more hands-on care?

If you’ve decided to move your loved one into a retirement home, you still have another decision to make. What type of retirement community best fits their needs – Independent Living or Assisted Living? 

Below, we’ll discuss what separates these two retirement living options so that you can select the best home for your loved one. You can visit this page for more information about Independent Living in Ontario.

What is Independent Living?

Independent Living is the first tier available to older adults who want to transition to a retirement community. These homes often target those who live relatively independent and active lives. 

Many older adults who move into these homes can live independently, but they would like to relinquish some of their day-to-day responsibilities to on-site staff members and take full advantage of their newfound free time.

By choosing Independent Living as their next step, retirees can give up the responsibility of owning a home and all that entails so they can travel, take classes, pursue passion projects, and spend more time with their friends and family. 

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted Living is the opposite end of the coin. These retirement homes are for older adults who can no longer perform certain tasks independently, whether home maintenance or personal hygiene. They may be experiencing issues with cognitive decline or a physical ailment that prevents them from safely doing household chores. 

However, by moving into Assisted Living, older adults are given an apartment to call their own. They receive assistance with tasks they can no longer perform independently, from cooking to cleaning to bathing. 

Unlike Independent Living, the help provided at Assisted Living homes is more hands-on. It ensures that the individual isn’t put at any risk to their health or physical well-being while still being able to live comfortably.

Ways that Assisted and Independent Living differ.

While Assisted Living and Independent Living share some similarities, such as access to retirement living amenities and community areas, housekeeping, meal services, and linen services, many of these tasks are provided differently for each type of home. 

Let’s examine some of the differences between Assisted Living and Independent Living below:

1. Accommodations

For Independent Living homes, there are several options available, depending on the individual retirement community. Older adults who can handle home maintenance tasks can move to a cottage or townhouse or, if they want a home that requires less upkeep, a condo or an apartment.

However, Assisted Living homes are more limited in the housing types available. In most cases, due to the individual’s inability to perform many chores, older adults are provided with a 1-bedroom apartment, usually containing a small kitchen or kitchenette. There may also be an auxiliary bedroom for a live-in caretaker if required.

2. Housekeeping 

Older adults moving into Independent Living can choose to have housekeeping services, which usually include basic cleaning in the main living area, the option of having your meals provided à la carte, and laundry and linen services.

This type of assistance is usually offered at an extra cost to the retiree, as those in Independent Living don’t require help for these tasks but can instead choose to have them performed by on-site staff if they’d prefer more free time in their schedule.

However, older adults living in Assisted Living require more hands-on housekeeping and care. Residents receive the services mentioned above when they move into an assisted living community, but at no extra charge, as their rental package includes these services in the cost.

3. Medical assistance

Older adults in Independent Living are primarily responsible for handling their medical needs, such as booking appointments, filling prescriptions, administering medications, and other similar tasks. However, most retirement homes provide 24/7 access to emergency medical services should the need arise. 

On the flip side, older adults in Assisted Living usually require regular and monitored medical and personal care, which includes such tasks mentioned above, as well as hygiene assistance like bathing and dressing, transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, and the organization and handling of medications. 

4. Events and activities

A big part of retirement living for many older adults is the community aspect. They can enjoy their newfound free time with their peers as they engage in various events and activities planned by the retirement home. Some things include exercise classes, wine tastings, bingo nights, fine dining experiences, and other activities. 

Individuals can check the community events calendar and pick and choose which events they wish to attend. Some retirement homes have regularly scheduled activities, while others plan outings and events more sparingly. 

However, for those in Assisted Living, events and outings are typically scheduled more closely and regularly (usually daily) to ensure that older adults have something to occupy their time with throughout the day.  

Should you choose Assisted Living or Independent Living? — Conclusion

If your loved one can still manage their day-to-day tasks without any needed assistance, they may be best suited to an Independent Living home. They’ll have some of their responsibilities covered, like housekeeping and meal planning, but they will still be able to maintain a relatively active and independent lifestyle.

However, if you’re finding that your older loved one requires more hands-on care, then Assisted Living may be the best option for them. Not only does this type of setup give your family members the help they need, but it also allows you to shed some of your caregiving responsibilities.