Independent Living

Independent living is different than assisted living for a number of reasons. It provides a level of security and peace of mind while the senior citizen maintains his/her freedom in all areas of life. Independent living is a good option to consider if the home the senior citizen is currently living in is becoming too much to maintain due to rooms no longer being used, stairs to navigate or a yard with too many demands. Though leaving a home you raised your family in will be difficult to part with, the benefits of independent living may be worth it.

Independent living is typically housing designed specifically for senior citizens. The homes tend to be smaller with special features such as handrails, ramps, and the layout is senior citizen friendly. The homes will either not have a lawn or include lawn care.

The types of independent living range from subsidized housing, apartments to free standing homes. It is best to plan far in advance, especially if you need to access subsidized housing since a waiting list that can take years is involved. All of these options will usually include transportation assistance, recreational programs, or club houses.