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What to know about independent living vs. assisted living

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Key takeaways

- Assisted living provides specialized care, often at different levels, while independent living is like living in a regular community with built-in social activities and amenities.

- Independent living is often more affordable than assisted living.

- Independent living is best for independent adults looking for a maintenance-free lifestyle and socialization while assisted living is best for adults who need help with everyday activities.

There comes a time in many of our lives where we become caregivers not just to our children, but also to our parents and grandparents. Everyone wants to ensure that their older loved ones get the best care possible in this season of life — which is why it's important to understand the difference between independent living vs. assisted living.

The right choice for your loved ones ultimately depends on their health and personal care needs, but older family members should be involved in any decisions about senior living. Whether you're the decision-maker in your home or you're considering senior care for yourself, we'll help you make an informed choice between independent living and assisted living.

Features	Independent living	Assisted living
Best for	Older adults who are independent but want a social community without the responsibilities of homeownership	Older adults who need some assistance with responsibilities like bathing, cooking, or medical oversight and medication management


Amenities	On and off-site social activities; laundry, salons, fitness typically included on-site	On-site social activities as well as assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)


Cost	More affordable, but fully private pay	Privately funded, but some health services may be supported by Medicare and Medicaid

Health and medical services	Not typically included	Medication management, some health care services, some nursing care

What is independent living?

When most people think of retirement communities, independent living is most likely what comes to mind. Typically, independent living refers to a residential or housing community exclusively for older adults — like 55+ or 62+.

For many retirees, senior living offers the opportunity to live among peers without the responsibilities of homeownership or maintenance. A typical independent living community includes:

A private living facility, like an apartment or condo
Light housekeeping
Three meals per day prepared in a cafeteria
Social activities both on-site and at local destinations like parks, museums, and restaurants
On-site amenities like laundry, fitness centers, pools, and salons
Transportation to and from doctor's appointments, transportation hubs, and the neighboring area

Independent living is just like living in a regular community, with a structure similar to a homeowners association. A monthly fee covers rent, meals, and access to amenities and social activities — and residents must follow the community's codes and regulations.

While most independent living facilities don’t include personal care and medical services in the monthly fee, some specialize in continuing care. These communities combine several care levels on a single campus, including independent living, assisted living, nursing care, memory care, and hospice. As people's needs change, they may move from one level to the next within the same area.

What is assisted living?

Assisted living facilities are homes where older adults may receive long-term care and assistance with basic responsibilities like bathing, cleaning, and cooking. As they're regulated by states instead of the federal government, assisted living facilities vary from location to location in what they offer.

According to The National Center for Assisted Living, assisted living communities are a long-term care option that provide help with everyday activities, as well as some health care services, but don’t usually provide 24-hour skilled nursing care.

Usually, assisted living residences offer:

A private living facility, like an apartment or condo
Regular, more extensive housekeeping
Companionship and security
Three meals per day
Social activities on-site, like bingo nights and wine tastings
Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, grooming, getting in and out of bed, and going to the bathroom
Nursing care

The biggest difference between independent living vs. assisted living is that assisted living homes prioritize specialized services, with different levels of care available. If a resident needs help bathing, dressing, managing medication, or more regular medical oversight, they can get it more easily at an assisted living facility.

Some assisted living facilities also offer skilled nursing care, although this is much more common in specialized nursing homes.

Cost of independent living vs. assisted living

If you're making a financial plan for your family's future, it's important to understand assisted living costs vs. independent living costs. Both can be expensive, which will factor into your family member's estate planning.

Independent living costs

Independent living costs range widely based on location, amenities, and options. Most independent living facilities are managed by large, private companies that aim to provide high-quality residential care and an excellent quality of life. So the answer to "What is the average cost of senior independent living?" isn't a simple one.

Brookdale, the country's largest senior living community company, reports that independent living may cost anywhere from $1,695 to $12,595 per month. Again, that wide range depends on the facility's location (California is more expensive than South Carolina, for example), amenities, and options like additional meals or care.

Assisted living costs

According to the National Council on Aging, the median cost of assisted living in the United States is $4,500 per month. This cost varies based on where you live and the level of care you opt for. You may be wondering, "Does Medicare cover assisted living?" Unfortunately, the answer is no. However, it can help cover costs typically incurred in adult care homes like medication, treatment for chronic conditions, doctor visits, and on-site therapy.

It's often the case that the monthly fee covers room, board, housekeeping services, on-site social activities, and transportation to the doctor's office. However, additional ADL services, medication management, and other care are typically tacked onto the monthly price. Depending on how much care is needed, this can raise the monthly cost by hundreds of dollars.

Services included in independent living vs. assisted living

When it comes to independent vs. assisted living, both include many of the same core services:

Included in independent living	Included in assisted living
Private room	Private or shared room
Maintenance and utility costs	Maintenance and utility costs
One to three meals per day, depending on choice	Three meals per day, plus snacks
Light housekeeping	Regular housekeeping
Social activities on-site and outside the facility	Social activities on-site
On-site amenities	ADL assistance
Transportation to doctor's appointments, activities	Transportation to doctor's appointments
Emergency medical services	Regular medical services
	Emergency medical services

How to choose between independent living vs. assisted living

The right choice for you and your family comes down to your circumstances. The primary differences between independent living and assisted living are the levels of care a loved one will receive.

An independent living facility is more like a retirement community where your family member can enjoy the benefits of living among peers without the responsibilities of managing a house. An assisted living facility also offers amenities and the benefits of being in a community, but there's a bigger focus on assistance with ADLs.

The right choice depends on a range of factors.

Needs and preferences

Independent living encourages more autonomy. If your loved one doesn't need extensive everyday medical care or assistance with ADLs, then an independent living community is a good option. They'll likely enjoy a community where they can take advantage of amenities and socialize.

Of course, it's not always easy to assess a parent or grandparent's needs. Consult with a trusted healthcare professional to see what kind of care they anticipate your loved one needing and to get recommendations on facilities.

Stick to a budget

Many families pay for retirement living with their loved one's retirement savings. Of course, using these funds can impact a will. Ultimately, it's not their money or their care at stake, but it's very important to be completely transparent with all family members about where the money is coming from and what the family can afford.

Long-term care can be prohibitively expensive for many families, so make sure to:

See if your loved one qualifies for Medicaid or a Medicaid waiver program.
Explore the details of a long-term care insurance policy to understand deductibles and monthly benefits.
Evaluate bank accounts and assets like your home and investments to determine what, and how much, can be earmarked for long-term care.

Tour communities and involve your family member

The person who is going to be living in a senior community should be involved in the exploration process every step of the way. One of the best ways to decide whether independent living vs. assisted living is right is to visit each kind of facility. Set up a tour of the facilities, meet the staff, and don't be afraid to ask residents what they think. Sometimes, you just need to get the lay of the land first.

Remember to always include the loved one, children, siblings, and other family members in the process so that everyone feels involved.

Deciding between independent living and assisted living is a choice that should take into account what’s best for older family members. Independent living is a great choice for active older adults who are seeking a maintenance-free lifestyle and don’t need daily support for everyday tasks. For older loved ones who could use some assistance with cooking, cleaning, bathing, and dressing as well as some medical oversight, assisted living may be the better option.

For resources on family and financial planning, read more in Greenlight's Learning Center.