What Is the Difference Between Assisted Living and Independent Living?

While both senior living options aim to make the lives of its residents easier, there is a notable difference between them. The biggest difference being that independent living does not offer assistance with medical care or help with activities of daily living (ADLs). Independent living is designed to make ADLs easier for individual and assisted living facilities will actually take an active role with helping an individual with ADLs and will also provide assistance with medical care. The level of senior-care necessary evolves over time. Independent living would be the first step of this evolution and assisted living would follow. Though it is not uncommon for those in independent living to have home health aides, as health issues get more serious, an assisted living facility that can provide 24-hour assistance becomes the more optimal environment for certain individuals.