Assisted Living and Independent Living have huge differences and adult children make mistakes because they are not familiar with those differences. If I were a person looking for a place to have one of my parents live I would first consider what is known as Independent Living. It offers so much more in the conveniences of life to the average person with some eye, bone or other medical problems. Life is more rewarding in fun communities.
No question we need assisted living properties, but there are more people that do not need assisted living that are moved there by children that really have not realized the differences between assisted living and independent living. Their parents can function very well in an environment with services that fit their lifestyle. Services that include freedom to sleep in, freedom to exercise, socialize with others of their same age, enjoy a more active entertainment package, concierge services, theatre and Spa. I would always try independent living as a first choice of where to help parents relocate when the chores around the house become too much for them.
Why would anyone want their mother or father to go to a place where most of the people living there are needs driven. If your parents are able to get around at home with only a small amount of help it is a good chance they would be more satisfied in a place where there is a higher level of activity.
Here are some subtle differences in Assisted Living and Independent Living.
Assisted Living--------------------------------------Independent Living
- Medicine dispensed------------------------------1. Medical Alert System
- Scheduled Dining--------------------------------2. Freedom to eat on your time
- Bathing------------------------------------------3. Freedom to sleep in
- Diet Control-------------------------------------4. Choice of food
- Fitness Schedule---------------------------------5. Fitness Center
- Small TV room-------------------------------------6. Large Theatre & Movie Screen
- Small Apartments--------------------------------7. Large Roomy Apartments
- Cost Raised After Entry Level Services----------8. Prices Raised Annually
- Very little included after entry level------------9. Price all inclusive except phone
- More severe problems--------------------------10. Problems manageable
- Nurses aid on duty-------------------------------11. Managers or Concierges duty 24/7
- Nurse on call----------------------------------- 12. Managers or concierges on call
This is just some of the differences and there is a huge difference in cost of what is entry level services. After entry level services assisted living costs raise very quickly and most times it costs over double that of Independent Living.
Most doctors are not even familiar with the quality of life of Independent Living community. They are not aware of all the services, care of the management and staff and how more and more things are changing in Independent Living.
How hard is it to pick up a phone and give a call to tour an IL property before placing a parent, family member or friend in a place they are not happy.
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