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.