Retirement villages are a great place to settle in when you’re looking at ways to spend your later years without worry. They offer a wide range of facilities and amenities that keep the residents happy and occupied while also fostering a close-knit community. One topic that often comes up in retirement villages, though, is choosing between independent living and assisted living. In today’s article, we’ll discuss the key difference between the two so you can make an informed decision on which one works better for you.

What are the major differences between assisted living and independent living?

Level of care and support.

These two factors are the two most obvious differences between the two living options, which are further discussed below:

For independent living. From the name itself, residents who opt for this style of living mean they still retain their autonomy and independence. In Keilor Retirement Village, you can see the elderly enjoy living in their own private apartments or villas within the community, though they also offer assisted living like many others. However, the management takes over some of the tasks, like housekeeping and gardening, but with extra costs to ease their living conditions and help them focus on enjoying more of their retirement. When it comes to their personal care, like bathing and medication management, the residents themselves are mostly responsible for themselves.

For assisted living. Compared to the former, assisted living offers a higher level of support for residents who need help in daily activities like bathing or medication intake. Their supports range from helping them bathe to grooming, and the staff are available 24/7 to provide assistance. Depending on the resident’s needs, they may also request specialized staff to assist in their condition so they can be cared for better.

Services and amenities.

Retirement villages offer a lot of amenities to help and entertain their residents; however, certain services may differ depending on the kind of living they choose.

For independent living. Residents under independent living can take part in social centers, community gardens, and other amenities without a hitch. However, for support services like housekeeping or gardening, they can request the management to avail on-site help from personnel or healthcare workers depending on what they need.

For assisted living. Amenities for assisted living are practically the same as their counterpart; the only difference is that they have added specific features to support their needs. Assisted living residents are also given added security because of their condition, along with essential services that are ready to help them with their daily living activities. Retirement villages also include specialized care programs for residents with certain health conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Cost and contractual agreement.

Depending on your choice, the cost of living, whether it’s independent or assisted, varies in retirement villages, but you can expect the latter to rack up a higher fee. You should also take into account several factors like accommodation and the level of care needed by the resident.

For independent living. Entry and monthly fees are something you should be mindful of in your budget, especially the former since it can be pretty costly upfront. Monthly fees, on the other hand, are needed to cover basic services like housekeeping and complex maintenance. Keep in mind that there may also be additional costs to consider, like transportation and meal deliveries.

For assisted living. Assisted living fees are comparatively higher because of the higher level of support they provide, and even more so for residents with delicate cases. For this type of living, residents usually enter into a contract agreement with the facility, highlighting the services they need as well as the terms of residency.