Loss of independence is a common fear among older adults. After spending nearly an entire lifetime being independent, it can be daunting for seniors to consider and accept the limitations that come with age. Independence is considered a signifier of adulthood, and it can be painful to give up, especially if your loved one is not ready to do so.
Unfortunately, many seniors and their family members associate senior living communities with a loss of independence. This perception can cause resistance to considering this move, even when an older adult can no longer live safely or comfortably in their own house.
While the fear that influences this misconception is understandable, the reality is that senior living communities value senior independence and actively seek to preserve and strengthen it. This is true not only of the aptly named independent living communities but also of assisted living and memory care communities.
As we look at how senior living helps maintain independence, we will explore what seniors and their loved ones can expect from independent and assisted living communities.
What is Independent Living?
Independent living is residential senior living that offers a safe, secure community for older adults seeking a maintenance-free lifestyle. Seniors select their preferred residence and enjoy access to on-site services and amenities. Residents can take advantage of various dining options, home maintenance assistance, social events, fitness programs, and housekeeping, laundry, and concierge services. They can also utilize the community’s shared spaces, such as libraries, salons, game rooms, cafes, art studios, outdoor spaces, fitness centers, and other gathering areas.
Independent living communities focus on a lifestyle of safety, social connection, and ease, allowing active older adults to enjoy life with fewer responsibilities, and services and amenities at their fingertips. If an individual needs supportive care services, independent living communities may refer a resident to a home health or home care partner for assistance if they don’t coordinate onsite assisted living services.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is residential senior living that offers access to many of the services and amenities mentioned above and supportive care services for those who need them. The services provided are typically more extensive than those available in independent living but not as extensive as skilled care in a nursing home setting. Seniors who do not need nursing care but need assistance with daily living activities can benefit the most from this level of care. Typically, assistance offered in an assisted living community includes personal care services, escort services, medication reminders, and other support.
Again, seniors in assisted living enjoy many of the same on-site services and amenities available in independent living, such as dining, housekeeping, laundry, and other services. However, a strong focus on relationships is emphasized to encourage essential face-to-face interaction with friends, family, and neighbors.
The Pillars of Independence
The definition of independence can look different from person to person. For some, independence may mean being able to drive for as many years as they can. For others, it may mean being able to style their hair each morning. Senior living communities' efforts to maintain senior independence are rooted in a commitment to healthy aging.
In support of that goal, we have compiled a brief list of independence “pillars” common to senior living: safety, social connection, health management, daily routine, and identity preservation. The keystone upon which these pillars depend is autonomy, or the ability to make decisions for one’s own life. This autonomy shines through both independent and assisted living environments.
Safety and Security
It’s no secret that living in a safe environment can have a major impact on an older adult’s ability to maintain their independence. Quality independent and assisted living communities place senior safety and security at the forefront of their mission, ensuring that residents are protected from harm and empowered to make their own choices.
Safety and security measures may vary by living option, but most independent and assisted living communities have staff members on-site 24/7, 24-hour emergency call systems, and designated security personnel. Private resident apartments and the community’s buildings are designed with safety in mind, embracing accessible, senior-friendly infrastructure to maximize independence while preventing injuries.
Assisted living communities do not have the same capabilities as skilled nursing care facilities; however, specially trained caregivers and staff are ready to assess and assist with medical situations. The presence of on-site resident care assistants adds to the feeling of safety, and this professional support network gives seniors and their loved ones significant peace of mind.
Social Connection
Let’s face it, maintaining your social circle as you age can feel impossible for even the most outgoing seniors. Loved ones get busy, move elsewhere, or pass away. For many older adults, isolation can set in quickly, especially as mobility declines and they lose the ability to drive and travel safely.
Both independent and assisted living communities offer an array of opportunities to socialize. Full calendars of activities and events, communal spaces to share, and an emphasis on family and community involvement help keep feelings of loneliness and isolation at bay. Some communities may even provide door-to-door transportation services for residents, which connects residents to events, programs, and essential services.
Strong social bonds have repeatedly been linked to better health outcomes in seniors, meaning these opportunities will not just put a smile on your loved one’s face, but will also have a positive impact on their overall well-being. These interactions prolong the ability to maintain independence, desire, and motivation.
Health and Wellness Management
People consider the ability to manage their own health and wellness decisions a significant part of personal autonomy. That’s why the best independent and assisted living communities keep individuality at the heart of what they do. Personalized care plans and supportive services allow older adults to tailor their living experience to suit their individual needs.
In most independent living communities, residents coordinate care services privately or connect with a trusted professional partner referred by the community. In communities that offer both independent living and assisted living, seniors often can access assistance on-site.
Residents can select from multiple levels of care services to help with showering and getting dressed, personal care and hygiene, medication management, safety checks, escorting and reminders, and using the restroom. Senior living communities also offer various resources seniors can use to manage their health. These resources can often include nutritious meals, senior-friendly exercise opportunities, nutritional counseling, and regular health screenings.
Daily Routine
While this may seem surprising, senior living communities may actually increase senior independence in some ways. For example, older adults often find relief in learning that independent living does not require a schedule. Seniors living in an independent community can continue to decide what they want to do daily, from when they wake up to when they go to sleep, to how they spend their waking hours.
In an assisted living community, assistance with daily tasks allows seniors to enjoy their daily routine longer than they would have otherwise. While some individuals may initially feel reluctant to accept the help they need, many find that the assistance makes their lives easier and more fulfilling. The physical, mental, and emotional energy that would have been spent struggling to get dressed or keep track of medication can instead be put toward creative endeavors, new hobbies, and time spent socializing.
Preservation of Identity
If autonomy is the heart of senior independence, preserving a senior’s sense of identity is the soul. As adults age, a common fear expressed by individuals and their loved ones is the thought that they may lose their individuality and sense of self. While certain neurodegenerative diseases like dementia can rob seniors and their loved ones of what makes them who they are in later years, older adults’ individuality can be preserved through self-expression and other intentional opportunities at any stage of senior living.
Senior living communities offer residents private apartments that can be personalized with their own furniture and special touches, as well as resident-focused amenities like onsite salons, barbershops, and spas. Seniors have autonomy over what they wear, what they like and dislike, how they maintain their home, and even their general level of privacy. They decide how they want to enjoy their meals and how and where they spend their time. Communities committed to fostering residents’ independence provide fulfilling opportunities to serve, volunteer, lead, facilitate, mentor, and contribute in meaningful ways that offer a sense of purpose and productivity – essential to our health, longevity, and well-being as we age.
Senior living communities prioritize individuality and promote senior independence at every stage. With this focus, older adults and their families can approach a senior living move with greater confidence, less fear, and a positive mindset.
To learn more about the wealth of senior living options at our Cardinal Bay communities, contact a member of our team who can help you find the right fit. With independent living, assisted living, and memory care offerings in Central Texas and Oklahoma, seniors can maximize their independence and enjoy everything they love most about life. Connect with us to see how the senior living lifestyle can meet your needs or the needs of a senior loved one. Follow our blog for more resources on maintaining senior independence and well-being!