Assisted Living vs. Independent Living – Which is Right for You?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to senior living. Some seniors can happily maintain their independence in Independent Living with basic support. Others require a little extra help with daily activities in Assisted Living.
However, when you’re only in the early stages of choosing where to spend your retirement years, knowing which living option will suit your needs isn’t always easy. Alongside requesting the help of a highly-regarded senior living community, you can also find some practical information in this guide below. Let the following factors help you make the best decision for your current and future needs:
Abilities with Daily Activities
When you’re unsure whether Assisted Living or Independent Living is better suited to your unique needs, consider how confident you are with daily activities.
Daily activities can include cooking, dressing, bathing, medication management, and hygiene. Essentially, it can be anything you must do daily to maintain your health, well-being, and happiness. Assisted Living may be a worthwhile option if you generally struggle to manage these tasks and others.
Assisted Living programs in highly-regarded senior living communities ensure you have 24/7 access to care associates when you need them for daily activities. Whether you need help with toileting, bathing, or getting dressed in the morning, you’ll always have a helping hand when needed.
However, if you can mostly take care of daily activities and confidently maintain your independence, Independent Living may be a more suitable option. Independent Living programs enable you to live your own independent life with basic support services like housekeeping.
Your Mobility and Safety
Your mobility and safety can contribute to whether you enter Assisted Living or Independent Living. Use these factors to guide you in making the right decision for your unique needs.
If you believe you’re at risk of falls due to cognitive decline or mobility challenges, Assisted Living may be worthwhile. With 24/7 care associates, you can confidently navigate a senior living community, knowing you’ll always have support.
However, you may be more likely to explore Independent Living if you typically feel confident in your mobility and safety. You can still enjoy a range of safety measures in Independent Living, including emergency call systems, wheelchair accessibility, and safety rails.
Healthcare
Many seniors live with health challenges that see them needing to access healthcare services. They may also require medication to keep them healthy. Most senior living communities are near healthcare service providers for convenient outside assistance. However, you may also enjoy in-house care depending on your living program.
You may have easier access to healthcare services when you join an Assisted Living program. You can also enjoy medication management services for peace of mind. While you can still access medical assistance in Independent Living, you sometimes need to request third-party service providers.
Your Preferences
After touring different senior living communities to learn more about the environments, services, and amenities, you may decide to choose a living option based on your preferences.
For example, you may foresee needing more support and services in the near future. You may also believe the services in Assisted Living will help you maintain your independence for longer. Any reputable senior living community you visit can guide you in making the right decision for your current and future needs.
Explore Living Options at Elison Independent & Assisted Living of Maplewood
You’re not alone in choosing a new living situation to suit your preferences and needs. Contact the friendly team at Elison Independent & Assisted Living of Maplewood today to schedule a tour. On your tour, you can learn more about our services, amenities, and living programs, to help you make an informed decision.