Important Differences Between Assisted Living And A Senior Community

As you get older, it can be challenging to know whether you should opt for assisted living or a senior community. Most seniors would prefer to age-in-place and maintain as much of their independence as they possibly can. As such, it would seem like a senior community is perfect. However, some people need assisted living in order to ensure that all of their needs are met.

Here is what you need to know about some of the key differences between assisted living and a senior community so that you can get a better understanding of which might be better suited for your needs. Let’s get into it.

What Does Assisted Living Consist Of?

Assisted living is wonderful for those who value their privacy and independence, but who need extra support in their daily lives. The support you receive in assisted living communities allows you to maintain as much independence as possible, and can help you to stay healthier for longer, with assistance in medication, remaining active, and access to nourishing meals.

There are a range of housing options, though most communities offer apartments, either one-bedroom or studio. These communities are designed with accessibility and safety in mind to provide their residents with as much independence as possible while giving them the personalized care they need. This includes activities, taking care of house maintenance for you, and more. 

When you don’t have to worry about whether or not you can receive the assistance you need and things like maintenance are taken care of for you, you can focus on building connections with others, enjoying your community and favored activities, and more.

What Do Senior Communities Consist Of?

Senior communities are like assisted living communities, but for those who don’t require extra assistance in their daily lives. These communities are typically age-restricted to older adults, so that all the residents are in a similar stage in life. In a senior community, you can enjoy full independence.

Many senior communities also provide services like taking care of your lawn for you in order to improve your overall quality of life. This maintenance-free lifestyle allows you to decrease the obligations and stressors in your life, so you can focus on whatever is most important to you.

As nearly 90% of seniors wish to stay in their own homes as they age, senior communities are an excellent way to improve life satisfaction, quality of life, and overall self-esteem. Since they tend to be age-restricted, you can enjoy a deeper sense of community, decreased isolation, and more opportunities to engage with others and in activities.

Choosing What’s Right For You

The right community for you will depend on your specific needs. If you’re unsure of which option would be best for you, consider the level of care and support that you need. 

Should you need assistance with medication management or help with daily activities, such as bathing, you would want a community that can give you that.  If you are someone who will need daily support, then an assisted living community can ensure that you have that, while also enabling you to enjoy your independence. Additionally, assisted living communities provide similar benefits to senior living communities, such as home maintenance.

If you are someone who does not need daily support and who wants to remain active, a senior living community grants you just that. You can enjoy full independence and privacy in a community with others in the same season of life as you, while also having your home maintenance taken care of for you. Many seniors prefer to be able to peacefully age-in-place with as much access to activities and connections with others as possible, which senior communities provide.

So you see, one is not better than the other. Which one is better for you simply depends on what you need.

Senior Communities In Utah

Leisure Villas is Utah’s largest builder of 55+ active adult communities. Our communities grant seniors a carefree, independent lifestyle with beautiful landscaping and wonderful amenities. Amenities include things like lawn care, exterior home maintenance, snow removal, and more. We have multiple senior communities along the Wasatch Front, so you can have one close to your friends and family.

Contact us today to learn more about our senior communities and any homes we currently have available.