What is Independent Living?
Independent Living, also known as retirement living, is a senior housing option for aging adults in which the resident lives independently without aid or assistance. The philosophy behind independent living is to keep the resident sovereign, create a social community, and promote healthy living and independence. Independent Living refers to level of care rather than age. Generally speaking, most individuals who living in a retirement home are senior citizens, however it is common to find ages ranging from people in their late fifties to early nineties. Independent Living provides the lowest level of care in senior housing spectrum, followed by assisted living and skilled nursing.
Services Provided by Retirement Communities:
Retirement Living does not include:
What does a Retirement Community look like?
Independent living communities can vary in size from small to large, from approximately 30 units to 300 units, and can look and feel very different depending on the setting and ambiance of the community. When choosing a retirement community it is important to find an option that best suits your needs, income and lifestyle:
What if the resident needs help with Assistance in Daily Living (ADL’s) and/or Medical Care?
Retirement Homes do not provide Assistance with Daily Living and Medical Care; therefore when a situation requires one of these services there are multiple routes the resident can take. The first step should always be to assess the extent of care required. If the resident needs assistance with grooming, bathing, dressing, medication reminders, dressing, etc. then hiring a third party homecare provider may be the easiest and most affordable option. If the situation deteriorates to the point that it is unsafe for the resident to live without 24 hour readily available assistance, then moving the resident to an assisted living facility is the best option.
If medical care is required then the extent of medical attention should be assessed immediately. If it is determined that care can be provided inside the home then outsourcing a third party Home Health Agencies is a great option. Home Health Agencies provide nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, among other services. In some cases the needs of the resident calls for a doctor’s attention rather than the aid of a home health agency. Conveniently, there are visiting physicians and house-call doctors who are experts at providing care in the retirement facility.
In more extreme cases, the resident may need to be transferred temporarily or moved permanently from the retirement home in order to receive the proper level of care. Short-term rehab facilities are designed with the intent to quickly rehabilitate the patient and get them back in their home as fast as possible. If long-term rehab is needed the senior should be transferred to a nursing home. Many retirement homes also provide assisted living, Alzheimer’s care, skilled nursing, and some even provide all three (CCRC - Continuum Care Retirement Community). The virtue of a CCRC is the resident rarely has to leave the facility to receive the appropriate care needed. In the event that hospitalization is required immediately call 911.
Other Common Names for Independent Living:
Deciding to make the transition to move away from home and into senior housing can be difficult for both the senior and the family. It is important to remember that each state has its own laws and regulations governing senior housing, and therefore extensive research is advised. If you have any questions, would like to compare costs and services, or are simply looking to find out more information, we have FREE Care Counselors who can help by calling 1-800-955-8510, or sending an email to info@seniordirectory.com.