When it comes to finding a new place for seniors to call home, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming: retirement communities, independent living, and various other living arrangements. It’s important to remember that the right senior living community can significantly enhance your quality of life and make the transition to your new home enjoyable, exciting, and stress-free.
New Perspective is here to offer guidance and help clarify some of the differences between retirement communities, independent living, and other types of communities for seniors.
What is a Retirement Community?
Retirement communities are designed to meet the needs of both senior citizens and their families. Typically, a retirement community is a type of residential community, and it may be a housing or apartment complex so older adults can still care for themselves with the assistance, amenities, and activities provided by the community.
Types of Retirement Communities
Depending on your needs and preferences, there are several types of retirement communities to choose from:
- Active Adult Communities: These are for independent, older adults who don’t require daily assistance of any kind. They often feature amenities like fitness centers and organized social events focused on an active lifestyle.
- Independent Living Communities: Ideal for those who are mostly self-sufficient but want a community environment with social opportunities and lower-maintenance living. These communities may offer help with housekeeping and on-site dining plans.
- Assisted Living Communities: These offer more support with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing and medication management, while still promoting as much independence as possible for residents.
- Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs): CCRCs provide a full range of options, from independent living to assisted living and skilled nursing care, allowing residents to remain in their community as their needs change.
Who Should Consider a Retirement Community?
Retirement communities could be ideal choices for older adults who:
- Want a structured and supportive living environment with access to amenities such as healthcare services and organized social activities
- Want to reduce the burdens of home maintenance while enjoying a more socially connected lifestyle
- Anticipate needing assistance with daily tasks or medical care in the future
What is Independent Living?
Independent living is a type of retirement community that offers seniors a range of living amenities, convenience, and social gatherings. This differs from “living independently,” which is when a senior continues to live in their own home, also known as “aging in place.”
Independent living communities tend to focus on fulfilling their residents’ social needs since most of them can get through their days without much additional support. Seniors live independently while remaining active and present in their community.
Features of Independent Living Communities
Independent living communities typically offer private living spaces, ranging from apartments to cottages. Residents maintain their privacy and independence while still being part of a community.
Standard services include community dining options, housekeeping, and transportation designed to make everyday life easier and eliminate chores. Residents typically have access to fitness centers, recreational activities, and group outings that promote physical and social engagement. They’re also known to host a variety of social activities, such as book clubs, fitness classes, and parties for residents.
Who Should Consider Independent Living?
Independent living is a great option for seniors who:
- Are still largely independent but are ready to reduce the responsibilities of home maintenance
- Those who want more opportunities to socialize with peers in a structured environment
- Enjoy an active lifestyle but want easy access to amenities such as fitness centers, community dining, and planned activities
- Older adults who anticipate needing minor assistance with day-to-day tasks in the future but don’t require full-time medical care right now
Key Differences Between Retirement Communities and Independent Living
Despite the similarities, there are a few key differences to note when choosing between a retirement community and independent living.
Maintenance
Independent living allows residents to enjoy a convenient community that offers plenty of amenities and services, including housekeeping, dining, transportation, and more.
A retirement community generally comes with more responsibility, especially if the senior owns their home or apartment within that community. In this case, the resident would be responsible for cleaning, cooking, and home maintenance tasks.
Active Social Life
Both options have great opportunities for socializing. That being said, an independent living community usually has a program director to make sure the calendar is always full of fun activities for residents. The level of social activity varies from community to community, but typically, an independent living community has more reliable social options.
Level of Independence
As you choose between a retirement community vs. independent living, consider how much independence is needed. If you or your loved one wants to do everything on their own, then a retirement community may be the best option. But if you or your loved one is looking forward to an independent retirement that’s free of household chores, grocery shopping, and home maintenance, then an independent living community may be a better choice.
Long-Term Value
When choosing the right home for your golden years, it’s important to look at your immediate needs and preferences while still considering the long term. How much will it cost over the years? Will the living situation still suit you in 5, 10, or 15 years?
An independent living facility can offer better long-term value than many retirement communities. They allow a senior to forget worries about home maintenance, errands, and other chores while being affordable, comfortable, and homey.
Required Services
Independent living communities provide a fully stress-free lifestyle for their residents. You don’t need to worry about home upkeep, cooking, cleaning, home maintenance, or even keeping up your social calendar. The independent living community handles all of it!
However, if you don’t need or want these types of services, then a retirement community would be a good choice.
What Are My Other Senior Living Options?
As we mentioned earlier, your choices aren’t limited to a retirement community or independent living. Some seniors require more assistance than can be found at these two places.
Assisted Living
This is a solution for older adults who require more than a basic level of support. They generally offer services such as medication management, assistance with activities, meals, housekeeping, laundry, and more.
Group Homes
Group homes are often called “adult family homes,” which tend to be small residences located in regular residential neighborhoods. These homes employ licensed caregivers who assist seniors in a variety of ways, including with meals, hygiene, and dressing. This option is most useful for seniors with some cognitive impairment.
Memory Care
Memory care is only necessary for seniors who have significant cognitive impairments or dementia. Designated memory care communities provide security for their residents, and the staff must undergo specialized training.
Continuing Care
This kind of retirement community is also known as a “life plan community.” It encompasses a broad spectrum of care levels, from assisted living to independent living, memory care to nursing homes, and more. They tend to require an upfront membership with a significant financial investment.
Find the Right Fit at New Perspective
If you’re looking for the right senior community near you, we recommend doing some research first. You should feel free to ask plenty of questions so you can collect all the information you need to make the best decision.
Reach out to us at New Perspective with questions, and we can help you find the best home for you or your loved one.