I’ve talked about levels of care and Assisted Living but I’d like to talk a little about Independent Living.

The kids are out of the house.  The house is too big.  The lawn maintenance and pool maintenance are too much.  You want more to do more socially but the old neighborhood has become too quiet.  Friends have moved away.  We’re older.  We may be looking for a change. It happens!

Have you heard of Independent Living?  Independent living can be a great option if you want less responsibility (no pool or lawn maintenance, housekeeping or cooking!), more social connection and added convenience.

Independent Living communities are usually designed for older adults, usually aged 55 to 62 who can live on their own.  They typically have private apartments, condos or cottages.  Meals are provided as well as housekeeping, maintenance and landscaping. Social activities and events are included and sometimes transportation.

Independent Living communities typically do not provide help with ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living like bathing and dressing), medication management or any skilled nursing care. If you need daily assistance with these needs then home care or assisted living is probably a better option.

Pricing varies  widely by location and amenities.  There are usually three structured models:

1. Month to month rental. There is no large upfront fee (usually a one time community fee).
2. Buy in/Entrance Fee.  There is a large upfront fee (Buy in), plus monthly rent. This usually refers to CCRS’s (Continuing Care Retirement Communities), and that is entirely its own thing.  I’ll talk about that another timeQ
3. Base rent, plus added services.

Remember to ask what is included in your monthly fee.  Are meals mandatory?  What would cause the monthly rate to increase? Places like Los Angeles, which are so vast, have cost ranges from moderate to high depending on amenities and location.

How Does Independent Living Pricing Work?

Before deciding on a community consider lease terms (month to month or annual pricing.). Refund policies, entrance fees, rules about guests, children policies, pet policies are all important considerations.

Consider your quality of life.  Are you looking for lots of people and different structured activities?  Are you looking for resort style living? How important is the dining quality? How much do you want to do? Or, are you looking for privacy?  Do you want quiet surroundings and dining is not a big deal for you? How essential is transportation? In this day and age there is a place for everyone. Pro tip – tour a community during and activity and during mealtime to see how residents interact.

What Happens If Your Care Needs Change?

One big question to consider is a health change.  Some communities are part of larger communities that include assisted living and skilled nursing allowing you to age in place.  Other smaller communities do not have that.

If you are not ready for assisted living but want less responsibility and more socialization, are active and mobile, need not assistance with your daily personal care and are ready to downsize, Independent Living may be for you!  If you have questions and aren’t quite sure this is for you, please, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our specialists at SLS of California.  It’s a free service and we have toured and vetted many of the Independent Living options out there.