Page 19 - Leisure Living Magazine: Spring 2020

The Difference Between
Independent and Assisted Living
Courtesy Otterbein Senior Life, susan.odonnell@otterbein.org
Are you considering a move to a senior living community for your loved one, but aren’t sure what type of care they need?
Independent and assisted living are two op- tions offered at most senior living communities.
Independent living means your loved one will live in their own home or apartment but have access to additional help if needed. Assisted liv- ing means your loved one will receive help with the activities of daily living (ADLs), like getting dressed, cooking meals, and doing housework.
Learn more about the differences between these two types of senior living.
What is Independent Living for Seniors?
Independent living, as the name implies, means your loved one will move into a private home or apartment and continue their life as usu- al.
They’re free to come and go as they wish, and the benefits of independent living typically in- clude:
A maintenance-free lifestyle - someone will be there to take care of fixing appliances, cleaning out the gutters, mowing, shoveling snow, and even changing lightbulbs.
Easy access to amenities like a restaurant, so- cial and cultural events, a fitness center or exercise classes, fun day trips, and more.
Peace of mind that help can be there quickly if needed - many independent living homes or apartments offer a call system that can be used in an emergency.
Otterbein Senior Life in Marblehead is a con- tinuing care retirement community (CCRC), this is a type of senior living community that’s growing in popularity, residents move into independent living homes earlier in life and have access to all the future care they may need right on campus.
CCRCs usually include assisted living, rehab and therapy, memory care, and skilled nursing. Plus, many CCRCs have on-campus wellness clin- ics and visiting doctors, so it’s easier to take charge of your health.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living still offers residents the free- dom to plan their own days, but provides a helping
www.LeisureLivingMagazine.com
Learn about Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC’s)
hand with the ADLs they can’t do on their own. Depending on the community, assisted living
typically includes:
• Prepared meals.
• Housekeeping and linen service.
• Licensed nurses and nursing assistance
available at all times.
• Help with taking medications.
The exact services offered in assisted living can
vary by community, so be sure to ask your com- munity of interest what they provide.
Another important thing to note is that assist- ed living is not the same as skilled nursing or a nursing home. Assisted living residents often lead relatively independent lives and are free to spend their time as they wish. Skilled nursing, on the other hand, is for residents who need help with most activities of daily living as well as medical care.
Leisure Living Magazine
READ US ONLINE: LeisureLivingMagazine.com
follow us on Facebook
Barb Clemons - Publisher 419.734.1280
Spring 2020 LeisureLiving | 19