What is Independent Living?
by Admin
Posted on 11-06-2024 08:41 AM
Independent living communities are a great option for older adults who are in generally good health but don’t want the burden of home ownership.
Personal care services, such as help with bathing or dressing, are not offered by independent living facilities, but residents can receive these services through third-party providers, such as home health aides. Independent living communities typically offer a full calendar of social activities for residents, from
community
outings to on-site classes, concerts, and games. The cost of independent living will vary based on your geographical location and the size of your living quarters. Typically, rent in an independent living community includes three meals per day, light housekeeping, social activities, and some transportation services.
Assisted living and independent living can both be good options for older adults who want to maintain independence while also receiving help with daily tasks, such as housekeeping and meal preparation. Assisted living facilities offer personal care services, including help with activities of daily living (adls) ⓘactivities of daily living, also called adls, are activities related to necessary personal care. These include bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, walking, and transferring in and out of a bed or chair. Independent living facilities do not offer personal care services, but residents can still arrange such services through third-party providers. Assisted living is usually more expensive than independent living.
What is independent living?
By definition, continuing care retirement communities (ccrcs, or life plan communities) provide their residents with a continuum of care services if and when they are needed, typically up to and including skilled nursing care. In a ccrc, residents in the independent living portion of the community typically reside in apartment units or patio-style homes.
Many are living truly independently, without the need for any assistance with adls, and still leading active lives. In fact, most ccrc contracts specify that residents must meet certain health requirements in order to move in, including not requiring any substantive assistance. However, some residents within these independent living units may need a little bit of extra help — perhaps they could use a hand with personal care or ensuring they take their medicine at the right time.
Independent living communities, also known as retirement homes or 55+ communities, are housing complexes for older adults who can care for themselves. Residents live in private homes, apartments or suites, come and go as they please, and make choices that are right for them. There are a variety of options, from studios and roomy two-bedroom apartments to cottages and other stand-alone structures. Unlike other senior care types, independent living does not offer health care, nursing care or assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and medication management. People who require that level of assistance may want to consider an assisted living community or nursing home instead.
Senior housing communities , often referred to as continuing care senior housing communities (ccshc), offer a wide array of services, such as in-home care, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing home care, in addition to independent living, says joseph g, ouslander, m. D. , professor of geriatric medicine and associate dean of geriatrics at the charles e. Schmidt college of medicine at florida atlantic university in boca raton, florida. These housing communities can provide prompt access to medical care if needed. What’s more, if a resident needs to transition from an independent living setup to one that includes in-home care or assisted living, remaining in a cchsc is often an option.
Typically, independent living facilities are for older adults who don’t need much assistance or medical care, so most don’t offer these services. However, at newbridge on the charles in dedham, ma and orchard cove in canton, ma, residents have priority access to a full continuum of on-site, harvard medical school-affiliated health care including a geriatric primary care practice, in-home care, post-acute care, palliative and hospice supports as well as long-term care. In assisted living, staff provide residents with assistance in daily activities. In most assisted living communities, staff members and a registered nurse are always on call for your convenience and safety.