News
Independent Living vs Assisted Living – what’s the difference?
As individuals move into their later years, there are often many decisions to face about where and how to live, ensuring safety, comfort and quality of life. Living options for the retired have evolved dramatically to accommodate a range of needs and preferences, offering different levels of independence and support. Assisted living, independent living, and care homes are the most common choices.
Independent Living:
Independent living communities cater to those in their later years who aspire to have an active, hassle-free lifestyle in a friendly community setting. Residents usually live in one, or two-bed private properties, with complete access to nearby amenities and services, that help to improve their quality of life.
Key features of independent living retirement include:
- Limited Assistance: Residents in independent living communities manage their daily activities with little to no assistance.
- Social Activities: An exciting and varied social calendar with organised activities, events, and outings to boost socialisation amongst residents who would like to get involved.
- Amenities: On-site facilities help to promote relaxation and productivity amongst residents, facilities often include wellness spas, library’s, cinema rooms and well-manicured gardens.
At Richmond Villages, independent living ensures residents have complete autonomy over their lifestyle, residing in their own property in the village whilst still being perfectly located to enjoy all the outstanding on-site facilities and activities on offer.
Assisted Living:
Assisted living is designed for those who seek a little more assistance with daily living, while still maintaining the level of independence they wish to. Facilities on offer can be tailored to each individual to suit their personal needs.
Features of assisted living include:
- Safety and Security: The majority of Assisted living facilities feature 24-hour staff on-call, safety features and emergency response systems, giving residents peace of mind if they require instant support.
- Personalised Care: Assisted living properties provide reactive care and staff will support with tasks such as bathing, medication management and meal preparation based on residents' unique requirements.
- Social Engagement: Similar to independent living communities, assisted living also benefits from a wide roster of social activities to boost interaction amongst residents.
At Richmond Villages, Assisted Living involves a monthly fee, called a Lifestyle Package, meaning we take care of your housekeeping, laundry, utility bills and meals, so you don’t have to lift a finger. Our on-site domiciliary care teams can also provide in-home care and support, should it be required.
Care Homes:
Care homes offer 24/7 medical support and care for residents with medical needs.
Key factors of care homes include:
- Environment: Care homes offer 24-hour supervision and support within a safe environment to ensure the positive well-being of residents with personal care needs.
- Medical Care: Healthcare professionals are employed within care homes, such as nurses, care assistants and therapists.
- Assistance with daily living activities: As well as medical care, care homes offer assistance with daily activities such as bathing, mobility and grooming.
At Richmond Villages, we pride ourselves on providing an excellent standard of bespoke care, encompassing personal care and wider wellbeing within all of our care homes.
When considering retirement living options, it is important to look at individual needs, preferences, and the level of independence you wish to maintain. Consider health status, mobility, budget and social preferences. Each retirement living option offers unique benefits and services to meet the diverse needs of those in their later years. By understanding the differences between these options, an informed decision can be made to ensure the well-being, safety and happiness of those looking to maximise their retirement.
To find out which option suits you best, get in touch with our friendly team of village advisors today: