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What Is Assisted Living vs. Independent Living for Seniors?

If you have started looking into a community for the next stage of your life, you’re likely looking at the difference between assisted living vs.

If you have started looking into a community for the next stage of your life, you’re likely looking at the difference between assisted living vs. independent living, but which one is right for you? Both have a lot of things in common, but each has their differences as well. Knowing the differences between these two senior living options can help you figure out which one is right for you. We here at Solterra Senior Living have both assisted living and independent living communities in our Solterra White Mountains community, so we know a thing or two about both. Let’s take a deeper look at assisted living vs. independent living to help you figure out which would be the better fit for you.

Assisted Living

Assisted living is designed for seniors who need extra assistance with daily activities such as bathing, showering, dressing, grooming, medication management, and so on. The goal is to help with this to keep residents safe, but still allow them to be as independent as they possibly can be. Our compassionate team is well-trained and available for residents 24 hours a day. They focus on the resident’s wellness and independence. Other services and amenities that are available in assisted living are incontinence care, transfer assistance, weekly housekeeping, 24-hour emergency response monitoring, and a business center. Socialization is an important part of assisted living. There are lounges where residents can spend time together, and our staff encourages our residents to meet new friends that have similar interests as they do through social, cultural, and recreational events happening within the community.

Independent Living

Independent living is exactly how it sounds—seniors living independently, just like they were. Of course, help is there if needed, but it’s more voluntary rather than a medical necessity, as it is with assisted living. Independent living will give you all the benefits of living in your own home, but you don’t have to worry about chores, maintenance, or any meal prep unless you choose to. Our staff’s goal is to maximize your quality of life, so they’re there if you need them. Services and amenities in independent living include housekeeping services, transportation services, a 24-hour medical alert system, secure communities for guest safety, restaurant-style dining, internet and computer access, and on-site beauty and barber shops. Socialization is also an important part of independent living. Our professionally decorated common areas and landscaped outdoor areas are perfect places for residents to hang out. There are also daily social, cultural, and recreational events happening daily where residents can meet new friends. When it comes to assisted living vs. independent living, there are some similarities, but there are quite a few differences as well. Deciding which one works better for you all depends on the level of care you need. One suggestion is that if you are completely independent and are looking for your next home, you may want to choose one that does include an assisted living community too just in case your level of care changes as you age. Come see what our community at Solterra White Mountains is like by scheduling a tour today!