What are the Differences Between Assisted Living and Independent Senior Living?

As much as you’d like to keep a close watch on your aging parents, sometimes the demands of work and your personal life will get in the way. If you could have it your way, you’d want to be there for your loved ones to cater to their needs, but you also have needs of your own. Can you put your life on hold for your parents? Even though they don’t demand your time, you know deep down that their growing needs would require you to be there for them physically 24/7. Lucky for you, senior living in Gurnee can take this burden off your shoulders.  

Senior living may seem like uncharted territory for most of us. Leaving your parents in a facility you’re not familiar with and entrusting their safety and security to strangers may seem daunting.  

But, if you dig deeper, do your research, and understand the professional services these institutions offer and how long they’ve been in the industry, you’ll appreciate the perks of senior and assisted living. It will give you peace of mind, and it will help your loved ones enjoy their life without compromising their independence, health, safety, and happiness.

Assisted living and independent senior living are not the same. Learn the difference between the two, so you and your parents can decide which center is the best option.

What are the Differences Between Assisted Living and Independent Senior Living?

Daily Amenities

In terms of amenities, assisted living facilities offer support and assistance to seniors when they need it. Most of the seniors that opt for assisted living are housed in apartments or condominiums where they live close to other members. Whenever they need help, all they need to do is to push a button, and they’ll receive assistance ASAP.

Examples of life tasks that are available to them include cleaning, shopping, meal prep, bathing, grooming, medications, and keeping doctor’s appointments. The range of services isn’t fixed. They can be adjusted based on the health and needs of the residents.

Senior living, or independent living, does not offer nursing support and medical care. These facilities concentrate more on maintaining an active lifestyle and offering convenience to seniors.  

Medical Care

Assisted living is a good option for seniors who are not capable of living alone but also do not require intensive nursing care. When your loved one is in an independent living facility, their independence is persevered, which means there is no access to nursing and medical care. In a way, independent living offers peace of mind to seniors who do not feel at ease living alone.  

Independent living is a good and healthy place for people who do not experience difficulty in performing daily basic activities.

However, when seniors are no longer capable of attending to their basic needs or if they can’t make a decision on their own without asking for help, then they need to be in an assisted living home care.  

Access to Staff

When your loved one is placed in an independent living community, they won’t have regular contact with the staff. The assistance they’ll be receiving from the staff will depend on their preference. For example, if they want to subscribe to a meal service, then that’s the only time they’ll see the staff. Otherwise, they can keep to themselves if they prefer a quieter and more peaceful living situation.

Meanwhile, with assisted living, the staff is always present and visible to check and monitor the condition of the residents. Even though they are not authorized to diagnose, they are obliged to continuously monitor seniors to make sure they are well, healthy, and thriving.

Cost

At an independent senior living community, it’s more of a lifestyle preference instead of senior care. Since the services are fewer, the cost is more affordable. However, this service is not normally covered by insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare.

Assisted living, on the other hand, costs more depending on the level of care the residents need. Since the services are more extensive going beyond basic care, expect to pay more. The services offered with assisted living are usually covered by employee benefit programs and insurance companies.  

Family Involvement

As the needs of seniors continue to increase as they age, it’s not unlikely for family members to feel burned out or depressed after devoting so much of their time caring for them. This is not an easy job, especially if family members have to juggle work, personal, and family time.

Independent living is a win-win service because it gives you peace of mind knowing that someone is looking out for your loved ones while you’re busy with work. At the same time, the services they are receiving give them comfort, security, safety, entertainment, and support, so they will not feel lonely, afraid, or isolated. If family members wish to offer help and assistance, they are free to do so.  

With assisted living, the burden of being 24/7 caregivers is removed from the family members because the staff of the facility will shoulder all the responsibilities of caring for your loved ones.

You won’t have to worry about missed medications or reminding them to eat or feel scared that they might hurt themselves while they’re bathing or grooming. All these are being professionally handled by the staff.

Do Your Loved Ones Need Assisted Senior Living in Gurnee?

Discuss the needs of your loved ones and base your decision as a family on those needs. Would your loved ones’ health be at risk if they were alone in their home? If yes, then you may want to consider assisted living.

Are they healthy but feel lonely? If yes, then they might feel less lonely if they were in a senior living community where they get to interact with other residents. The answers to these questions will help determine what type of facility is best suitable for them.

At Senior Living Experts, our advisors will work closely with you and your family to help you find the best place for your parents. We have been working with over 230 communities and we’ve helped hundreds of seniors live better and more comfortable lives with the wide range of options we offer. Call us today to learn more about assisted living and senior living.

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