Independent Living and Assisted Living: A Comparison

The Differences Between Independent Living Communities and Assisted Living Communities

Baby boomers across the country began hitting age 65 in the year 2011. This means a huge population of the United States is entering their retirement years — or thinking about retiring, anyway! And, the average life expectancy has been gradually rising over the past few decades, too. Just 20 years ago, for instance, a person could expect to live to 79.4 years of age, but in 2017, that same individual will live to 82.5 years old.

Your health, family history, and lifestyle play a major role in your longevity, of course, but many seniors today are living well past 80 years of age. And, many of these seniors are recognizing the benefits of downsizing their current homes for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the yard has simply become too much to maintain, and they’re seeking a more carefree lifestyle. Or, maybe they’ve suffered a fall and can no longer maneuver easily around their home, or need some daily assistance with certain household or personal tasks. Regardless of whether you’re choosing to move for convenience or health reasons, you’ll find yourself presented with a wide variety of senior housing options. It’s important to choose the type of senior living community that will best meet your needs, now and in the future.

Independent Living Communities

Independent living communities are often the perfect choice for seniors who are still healthy and engaged in life. These types of communities offer a wide range of living options, from owning a spacious home or renting a comfortable apartment. Members may come and go as they please, enjoying an easy lifestyle with a variety of services and amenities. Everything from yard maintenance and weekly housekeeping to scheduled transportation, off-site activities, and social events are offered to ensure members are comfortable, safe and fully enjoying their lives.

These types of senior communities offer little in the way of healthcare services or daily assistance, as members generally do not yet need it. However, emergency call services are provided to add peace of mind that should an accident occur, help would be available immediately.

The independent living community at Advent Christian Village consists of both rental apartments and homes, as well as homeownership in our beautiful, established River Woods neighborhood.

Assisted Living Communities

It’s not uncommon for an adult child to assist in the process of researching assisted living communities for a loved one. This is due to the fact that the need for this type of senior housing usually arises from a decline in health that necessitates assistance with activities of daily life, like bathing, dressing or eating. Assisted living communities provide the right level of care for each member while continuing to promote the individual’s independence as much as possible.

Assisted living communities are similar to independent living communities in that members enjoy their own personalized, private or semi-private living space with a variety of amenities to improve quality of life. However, assisted living services also include around-the-clock medical care from a team of professionals.

At Advent Christian Village, our assisted living community, Dacier Manor, is a vital part of the continuum of care we offer. Our experienced staff helps members live a vibrant, meaningful life while providing the personalized care they need. Services include daily meals, exercise and wellness programs, weekly housekeeping, on-campus transportation and so much more.

Which Community is Right for You?

Every individual is different. That’s why the community that might be right for your neighbor down the street may not be the right choice for you. And, while there are some similarities between independent living communities and assisted living communities, it’s important to assess your needs to make the right decision for your future.

Vibrant Senior Housing Options at Advent Christian Village

You’ll find a variety of comfortable living options with a hometown feel at Advent Christian Village in Dowling Park, Florida. Our full continuum of care includes independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing care and memory care. This means no matter what level of care you require, we can accommodate your needs, now and in the future. We invite you to contact us to schedule a personal, guided tour so you can see all that ACV has to offer.