The Difference Between Assisted Living and Senior Rentals

Have you recently begun to consider the option of senior living, either for yourself or an aging loved one? If so, you can rest assured that this is a highly beneficial decision. Retirement is a wonderful chapter in a person’s life, and they deserve to make the most out of every day. However, with aging can come certain physical, mental, and even financial limitations. These factors can make it increasingly difficult to maintain one’s own home, especially if they are living alone. It can also create hazards to physical safety and make it difficult to regularly receive the level of assistance required for a happy, healthy life.

Fortunately, certain senior living options can help address these issues. The key is finding the right lifestyle or level of care from a credible, quality provider. If you have been researching these options, you may have found that doing so is easier said than done. There are so many options available – which is the right one for your situation? To become better informed, it is wise to learn more about these different options. For example, assisted living and senior housing/senior rentals are common results during this research process. They can both be valuable resources, but the things they provide are quite different. Read on to learn more about what is offered by each.

What is a Senior Apartment?

A senior apartment is a housing unit designed for older adults (generally those 55 years old and above). According to SeniorLiving.org, these apartments “provide amenities such as housekeeping, dining, and activities that make life easier and more enjoyable.” While the terms are not interchangeable, senior apartments are comparable to independent living, and independent living communities generally offer senior apartments. The difference is that independent living often provides additional services such as transportation and laundry. Senior apartments are a great option for seniors who wish to avoid the isolation and home maintenance that can accompany a life alone in their own home. They are also ideal for people who wish to downsize their living situation or access the equity they have built by selling their homes.

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a form of care for seniors who wish to maintain a level of independence but require additional assistance with daily living. The operative word is “care,” because senior rentals and independent living generally do not offer this kind of support. Examples of assistive care that can be found at this level include help with things like bathing, grooming, eating, mobility, and medication management. However, they also provide autonomy – allowing residents to live their lives how they’d like to with the peace of mind that assistance is available whenever it is needed. Assisted living also helps to eliminate home maintenance and the potential for isolation by surrounding residents with a community of neighbors and friendly aides.

Would you like to learn more about Freeport assisted living with the option of memory care should it ever be needed? Contact WinnPrairie today. We invite you to call us at 815-656-4800 or contact us online.