Making the move to a retirement community frees seniors from the hassles of maintaining their homes and provides new opportunities to make friends and participate in engaging activities. If you or a loved one is considering life in a life plan community, two main types are available: Independent Living and Assisted Living.
Understanding the differences between these two types of communities can help you determine which is right for you or your loved one. We created this helpful guide to explain how Independent Living and Assisted Living communities differ and identify the ideal candidate for life at each.
Care
The level of care provided by staff is a major difference between Independent Living and Assisted Living communities.
With Assisted Living, seniors can benefit from an extra set of helping hands to help them with daily living tasks, such as grooming, bathing, dressing, toileting, walking and eating. Most Assisted Living communities also offer medication management services, helping to ensure residents take any medicines or supplements their healthcare providers recommend. The Villa Assisted Living at Montereau has licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants on-site around the clock to respond to residents’ needs.
Independent Living communities typically don’t provide hands-on care for residents. At Montereau, seniors live in gorgeous garden homes or apartments and maintain full independence while gaining freedom from the chores and maintenance involved with owning a traditional home. At the same time, they get the peace of mind that comes from knowing a 24/7 emergency response team is ready to assist them in the event of a medical emergency.
Costs
The costs of Assisted Living and Independent Living communities are a key point of comparison. Although prices vary from community to community, Assisted Living usually involves a higher monthly cost. This difference is due to the extra level of care an Assisted Living community provides.
Many long-term care insurance policies help cover the costs of Assisted Living services. Long-term care insurance is less likely to cover rent and entrance fees for an Independent Living community, as insurers typically don’t consider this type of retirement community a form of long-term care.
Amenities
Independent Living and Assisted Living communities offer amenities and services for residents, but the typical slates of offerings vary. At Montereau, Assisted Living residents can enjoy a fine dining experience with a restaurant-style menu, housekeeping services and scheduled transportation for appointments and errands. They can pamper themselves at our full-service salon and day spa, participate in group exercise classes and explore our outdoor hiking trails. We also have an on-site library and regularly scheduled activities that provide opportunities to build friendships and learn new things.
Our Independent Living campus is home to four restaurants and three cocktail lounges, with residents receiving a Flexible Dining Account that allows them to pick and choose when and where they enjoy their meals. Fitness and recreation options include a putting green, walking trails and personal training and fitness classes in our aerobic exercise and weight room. A jam-packed social calendar ensures seniors always have something new to do, and residents are free to meet up with friends and family in our billiards and game room or on our terrace or patio.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Independent Living?
A good candidate for Independent Living is someone who’s still active and independent. They want to continue living life to the fullest but are ready to give up the concerns of maintaining and caring for their homes, and they’re eager to take advantage of the many social and recreational opportunities that living in a retirement community provides. In addition, they appreciate knowing that if they ever need immediate assistance due to a fall or a medical emergency, they can get help with the push of a button.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Assisted Living?
A good candidate for Assisted Living is someone who can perform some daily living tasks on their own but can use extra help completing others. For example, they may have a mobility issue that makes it difficult for them to walk long distances without assistance or fasten the buttons on their favorite shirt. They may also have chronic medical conditions that require multiple medications for successful management and need assistance remembering their doses. Additionally, they look forward to having opportunities to try new things and meet new people through enjoyable activities organized by the community’s staff.
Get to Know the Luxury Senior Living Options at Montereau
Home to Independent Living and Assisted Living communities, Montereau in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has senior living options geared to your or your loved one’s unique needs. Our friendly team is ready to get to know you, tell you about our suite of luxury services and amenities and help you choose the best option for you. Call us today at (918) 495-1500 or contact us online to schedule a tour.