Whether you’re searching for a retirement community for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to understand your options thoroughly. Retirees nowadays are lucky to have a wealth of options and information surrounding them at their fingertips, thanks to the abundant resources that retirement communities provide. However, families can get confused as to which living option is best for their elderly loved one. No need to worry! Here’s how to tell which one to choose between independent living and assisted living in Hughes, TX:
Care Received
While independent living and assisted living are similar in various ways, one of the ways they differ is in the care that residents receive. Independent living is a great option for retirees that don’t feel comfortable with aging in place, and would rather enjoy their golden years in a communal environment. On the other hand, assisted living communities are designed to accommodate retirees that have physical limitations caused by factors such as chronic medical conditions, leading to them struggling with activities of daily living (ADLs). Hence, you can expect residents in an assisted living neighborhood to require and receive more intensive medical and nursing care compared to residents in independent living neighborhoods.
Community Design
The actual layout of the neighborhoods may vary between independent living and assisted living, due to the different sets of needs that the residents may have. Most independent living communities build homes and common areas separately, with pathways connecting them so that residents can navigate the area and access the amenities conveniently. On the other hand, assisted living communities tend to be smaller, with residents’ homes and common areas sharing the same building.
Cost
Due to the different resources and services that independent living and assisted living communities demand, there’s bound to be a difference in terms of cost that potential residents and their families have to account for. Independent living communities are not considered a type of senior care and are instead more focused on lifestyle enrichment. Hence, while independent living is typically more affordable due to residents being less dependent on the community’s caregivers, it’s unlikely to be covered by financing options such as Medicare and Medicaid. Independent living communities tend to charge anywhere from $2,000 to $3,500 per month, while assisted living communities tend to charge higher at a median of $4,500.
Amenities and Programming
In the common areas of both independent living and assisted living communities, you’ll usually find similar amenities such as beauty salons and outdoor exercise areas. Furthermore, they share key services such as housekeeping and transportation. However, assisted living community residents usually receive more care and resources when it comes to health-related needs such as medical treatments. Additionally, while assisted living communities typically provide three meals a day along with snacks for their residents, many independent living communities only offer residents one or two meals a day in their dining rooms, requiring them to pay additional fees for more meals.
Looking for a retirement option in the south? Consider our retirement community, where we offer excellent independent living as well as assisted living neighborhoods!
