Is your elderly parent or loved one no longer able to take care of themselves in their home? It might be time to move them to a place where they can be looked after and cared for.
This is never an easy decision to make. Some of the emotions that come with it are guilt, sadness, and fear. Will my parent be cared for compassionately and adequately? Will they truly enjoy their new home? Will they feel alone and abandoned? Will they miss their home?
We know facing this process is quite daunting, and we’re here to help. We are committed to helping local Maine families find the right place for their loved ones to settle in.
A big part of our job here at Coastal Transitions is to make sure that our clients understand the differences between independent living and assisted living so that we are able to help them choose the best place for their loved one.
Let’s go over some major differences between independent and assisted living.
First, what is an independent living facility and what is an assisted living facility?
An independent living facility is a good fit for a person who is able to live mostly on their own without too much daily support. In other words, a good candidate for independent living is a person who can mostly take care of themself but is looking for built-in social events with other residents of the facility.
An assisted living facility is appropriate for people who need daily assistance with necessary activities such as bathing and meals. However, assisted living facilities still emphasize independence. For example, if you or your loved one are able to dress themself, the assisted living facility would not interfere with this as they want their residents to be as actively independent as possible. If they are not able to do this, the assisted living facility would provide support for them.
What are the fees?
Some independent living facilities will charge you an entrance fee (keep in mind typically 75-90% of this entrance fee is refundable if the resident moves out), as well as a monthly fee which covers housekeeping, programming and social events, maintenance and security for the building, and meals (we’ll talk more about meals later). There are also lease options for people who want to avoid paying upfront costs and forgo purchasing an apartment.
Assisted living facilities use a rental-based way of charging their residents. You pay monthly rent for your room or apartment, and this includes housekeeping, security and maintenance of the building, programming and social events, nursing observation, 24/7 staffing, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most assisted living facilities also include 1-2 hours per day of personal care, meaning bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming, and medical administration. The monthly rental fee is typically an out-of-pocket expense. Some people have long term care insurance to assist in these costs.
What are the differences between the level of medical care?
Independent living facilities don’t offer medical or supportive care, so residents still need their medical care coordinated with their doctor.
With an assisted living facility, there is typically always at least one registered nurse on call 24/7 should there be an emergency, as well as a doctor who visits during the week to meet with residents and also responds to emergencies on site. Some assisted living facilities have entire staffs of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants ready to respond to any problems that should arise.
What are the facilities like?
Independent living facilities that have units for purchase typically consist of apartments and cottages spread out over a campus with a central gathering place and communal facilities. The buildings are usually farther apart and it feels more like a development or a college campus. Month-to-month units are typically within a main building where all activities and meals also take place.
Assisted living facilities are more self-contained, with less distance between resident accommodations and communal gathering places. This design is purposeful, of course, as the medical staff needs to have faster access to residents at all times.
What is the role of the resident’s family once the resident has moved in?
Because independent living facilities require that residents are still largely in control of their own life decisions, it’s important that the family and friends of residents are involved as much as they need to be supplementally in order for the resident to have their interests cared for. In other words, because independence is encouraged, it’s expected that residents themselves are making sound decisions and implementing them but with the help of their loved ones if necessary.
Family members of residents in assisted living facilities are also expected to take an active role in their loved one’s daily life, but not because residents are on their own - most assisted living facilities provide everything a resident needs. Regardless, family members are expected to participate in the care of their loved ones in terms of decision making, the care planning process, and consistent spending of in-person quality time.
What are some other differences between both types of facilities?
Let’s talk about mealtime!
Typically, independent living facilities only offer dinner and in a social setting. Assisted living facilities, on the other hand, offer three meals per day and also encourage residents to eat in the dining room.
In terms of programming, assisted living facilities tend to focus on more memory programs as well as activities that help with cognitive and physical maintenance. Both types of places however focus on lots of daily activities to keep residents happy and healthy.
Do you have more questions? We love to help families find their elderly loved ones the place that best fits their needs.
Contact us today at 207-569-3283 or email us at info@coastaltransitionsofmaine.com.