Your retirement years can be the best years of your life, you have more time to enjoy yourself, more opportunities to pursue hobbies and interests, and you can be a part of your children’s and grandchildren’s lives. This is a great time to consider where you live and whether it is the best place for the lifestyle you want.
After living in your home for many years, maybe even decades, it’s hard to imagine making a change, particularly when making this change means sifting through so many options. Many find senior living communities to be an attractive alternative, offering new opportunities and relief from the responsibilities and costs associated with home ownership. When it comes to easing daily responsibilities, few senior living options compare to independent living communities.
So, is independent living right for you? To help make the decision, we’ve created a quick, easy guide to help you discover the benefits of senior communities.
What is Independent Senior Living?
Independent senior living is a style of age-restricted apartment community that provides on-site amenities like dining, housekeeping, and social activities. Similar to a traditional apartment community, independent living communities may offer a variety of floor plans to choose from and include amenities such as a pool, fitness center, and more. However, they go a step beyond by incorporating additional enhanced services to meet the unique needs of older adults. By providing amenities to help with home upkeep alongside social activities to promote community and connectedness, independent living strikes a balance of freedom and support for residents.Independent living versus other retirement living options
Independent living communities emphasize their residents’ freedom of choice. They are set apart from other senior living options by providing less restrictive dining hours and menus, private apartments instead of shared rooms, and a wider variety of amenities and activities. While independent living does not offer medical care, it does have housekeeping and maintenance services for seniors who may struggle with consistent household upkeep. Because of this, independent living is often the perfect middle ground to balance peace of mind for family members concerned about their loved one’s well-being and independence for seniors wanting an active adult lifestyle. Related: Pros & Cons of Independent Senior LivingIndependent Living vs. Assisted Living
| Independent Living | Assisted Living | |
|---|---|---|
|
Care |
No care provided, 3rd party care options may be available
|
Medical care available
|
|
Privacy |
Most privacy, residents have their own apartment
|
Less privacy, shared rooms are common
|
|
Age restriction
|
55+ age restriction
|
Age restrictions vary
|
|
Services included
|
Includes amenities like dining, housekeeping and activities
|
Includes amenities like dining, housekeeping and activities
|
Independent Living vs. 55+ Communities
| Independent Living | 55+ Communities | |
|---|---|---|
|
Care |
No care provided, 3rd party care options may be available |
No care provided
|
|
Privacy |
Most privacy, residents have their own apartment
|
Most privacy, residents have their own apartment
|
|
Age restriction
|
55+ age restriction
|
55+ age restriction
|
|
Services included
|
Includes amenities like dining, housekeeping and activities
|
Limited amenities, may have pool, fitness center, etc.
|
Independent Living vs. Nursing Homes
| Independent Living | Nursing Homes | |
|---|---|---|
|
Care |
No care provided, 3rd party care options may be available |
Advanced medical care available
|
|
Privacy |
Most privacy, residents have their own apartment
|
Least privacy, 24/7 staff supervision is common
|
|
Age restriction
|
55+ age restriction
|
No age restriction
|
|
Services included
|
Includes amenities like dining, housekeeping and activities
|
Includes amenities like dining, medical care and activities
|
Who is independent living right for?
The ideal independent living resident is an active senior looking to pursue new interests and meet new people to make the most of their retirement. Despite their age, they may reject the stereotype that aging means giving up on an exciting and fulfilling lifestyle. An independent living resident is eager to have new experiences without being held back by day-to-day responsibilities.Signs you may benefit from independent living:
- You are tired of daily chores like cooking and cleaning.
- You desire more social connections.
- You value convenience and comfort.
- You enjoy being nearby wellness and fitness options.
Related: 7 Signs It’s Time to Consider Independent Senior Living
Services and Amenities to Expect
While amenities and services can vary widely between different independent living communities and other senior living options, there are a few key amenities that are vital to promoting an independent lifestyle for seniors. For example, independent living communities often offer…- Restaurant-style dining
- Fitness and wellness programs
- Weekly housekeeping
- Scheduled transportation
- 24/7 on-site staff
- Cultural and social events
Related: Independent Senior Living Amenities and Services You Should Expect
Is independent living the right choice for you or your loved one?
To find out if independent living may be the right choice for you or your loved one, answer the questions below. If you find yourself answering “yes” more than “no,” then independent living might be the right choice for you.
- Are you ready to stop worrying about home repairs?
- Do you want more opportunities to socialize with others?
- Do you wish you had more time to enjoy the activities you love?
- Have you found yourself eating out more often than cooking homemade meals?
- Do you value new experiences and want to spend your retirement creating new, exciting memories?
Related: Questions to Ask When Touring an Independent Senior Living Community
Revel Communities: a place to thrive
If you’re considering independent living, Revel Communities offers a unique approach that maximizes the benefits of this lifestyle. With resort-style amenities, restaurant-style dining, social events, and wellness programs, Revel allows seniors to live in comfort while enjoying the lifestyle of their choice.
Residents are free to form new friendships, pursue new interests, and create new memories in a vibrant, luxurious environment. Use the map to discover a Revel community near you.
Explore Our Communities
Every Revel community is thoughtfully designed to be a welcoming place of exceptional quality—a home that supports well-being, fosters genuine connections, and embraces independence. With locations offering everything from big-city excitement to riverside tranquility, we invite you to enjoy the subtle touches of resort-style living at Revel.
