The Ultimate Guide to Independent Living

Elderly couple looking out on the window

The Ultimate Guide To Independent Living

Considering moving to an independent living senior community is a big moment in any senior’s life. Independent living communities promise safety, community, comfort, and peace of mind–all without compromising your autonomy. But a diverse myriad of communities, price points, locations, and amenities can make finding the right independent living community a very difficult choice. That’s why we’ve created this Ultimate Guide to Independent Living. We hope this helps you navigate everything that’s out there, and find the right independent living community for you or your loved one.

There are tens of thousands of senior independent living communities (sometimes called retirement communities or 55+ communities) throughout the United States. With all these options, no wonder this is a tough decision!

In this guide, we’ll help you discover whether it’s the right time for you or your loved one to move to an independent living community. We will also explore the pros and cons of independent living, expected costs and how to pay for them, and lastly, how to choose the right independent living community for you. Whether you’re just considering independent living or trying to choose a specific community, keep reading to get all the information you’ll need to make the right choice.

What is Independent Living?

Independent Living is a neighborhood of apartments, condominiums, or detached homes designed for older adults who still want to live independently, but prefer the benefits of a senior community setting. These benefits may include housekeeping and laundry services, outdoor space maintenance, dining hall and prepared meals, transportation, community entertainment and activities, pools, gyms, security, and more. Independent living communities don’t usually provide regular medical care or help with activities of daily living, but they do typically have emergency healthcare providers available 24/7 if you should suffer an accident or injury. This, plus the sense of security and a lifestyle curated just for people in your stage of life, can provide you with peace of mind, comfort, and socialization options that you can’t get by staying in your own home.

Many independent living communities also offer assisted living care, sometimes in your same home or apartment. This can be a benefit if you do end up needing additional help and healthcare management as you get older, but don’t want to move again.

How To Know When It’s Time for Independent Living

It’s hard to know the right time to move to an independent living community. Some signs that independent living might be right for you include:

You’re feeling isolated, depressed, or alone
You’re feeling unsafe in your home or neighborhood
Cleaning, yardwork, and home maintenance are becoming too difficult, overwhelming, or burdensome
Driving and/or public transportation is challenging or feels unsafe
Shopping for food, cooking, planning, and/or preparing your own meals is difficult, or you just don’t want to do it anymore
Managing your budget and finances is too complicated, and you want to simplify things
You and/or your family members are concerned about you living alone
You want to get more enjoyment out of actually living, instead of just maintaining and managing all the minute details of your life

15 Pros & Cons of Independent Living Retirement Communities

There are many benefits of independent living communities, but there are also a few downsides. Here are some of the pros and cons:

Pros

Independent living communities give you a sense of community, and provide tons of social and entertainment options that prevent loneliness and isolation.
They also provide a safe and secure environment for older adults.
These communities provide housekeeping, laundry services, and maintain outdoor areas for you.
Independent living communities typically offer transportation and shuttle services, so you don’t have to worry about driving or using public transportation anymore.
Chef-prepared meals and dining halls are common at most independent living communities. Many also provide kitchenettes, so you can still cook when you want to.
Independent living communities can provide you and your family with more peace of mind, knowing that you will be safe and well cared for if you have a fall, illness, or accident.
These communities can give you a higher quality of life than living alone.
Since most people over the age of 65 will eventually need assisted living care, an independent living community that also offers assisted living can provide you with a seamless transition should you need more care in the future.
Nearly all of your bills and expenses are likely to be included in your “room and board” cost at a community, which hugely simplifies your financial management and budgeting.
A new living space can give you the opportunity to downsize the possessions you no longer want or need and start fresh.
Simplifying your home and physical possessions makes it easier to enjoy your life, travel, and spend time with loved ones.

Cons

Independent living can be expensive, depending on your area and circumstances.
If you enjoy the privacy of a detached home, you may experience less privacy in an apartment setting.
There may be an adjustment period, especially if you’re moving to an area you are unfamiliar with.
If the community does not also offer assisted living care, your future needs may not be met within that independent living community.

Independent Living Versus Senior Care

Since independent living communities usually don’t provide routine senior care, they may not work for everyone. There are many different types of senior care. In this section, we’ll explore how independent living compares to senior care, including assisted living, skilled nursing communities, home care, memory care, and respite care. By understanding the similarities and differences between independent living and senior care, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about the best type of community for you or your loved one.

Independent Living vs Home Care

Instead of living in any type of senior living community, you can choose to receive home care, where service providers come to your home to provide whatever assistance you need. This may include home healthcare providers, housekeepers, transportation services, lawn care, and more. Home care is provided at your current residence. This can give you more privacy and allow you to age in place, without needing to move. On the other hand, independent living is where individuals live in a community setting that is tailored to seniors. This can give you an additional sense of community, safety, and emergency medical services that staying in your own home may not provide. You also won’t need to coordinate different service providers in an independent living community, as it is all-inclusive.

Independent Living vs Assisted Living

Independent living is a type of senior housing where older adults live in apartments, condominiums, or single-family homes within a community of older adults, but do not receive assistance with activities of daily living. You typically receive housekeeping services, meals, and social and recreational activities.

Assisted living provides these same services, also in a community setting. However, assisted living also provides additional assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, and mobility.

Independent Living vs Memory Care

Memory care is a specialized type of assisted living that is specifically designed for older adults with memory impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. Memory care communities provide a much higher level of care and security than independent living communities. They also provide specialized therapy and treatment options for memory loss disorders.

Some independent living communities offer varying additional levels of care, including memory care. Not all memory care facilities also offer independent living.

Independent Living vs Skilled Nursing Communities

Skilled nursing communities, sometimes called “nursing homes” or “skilled nursing facilities (SNF),” provide a significantly higher level of medical care than independent or assisted living communities. They are typically staffed by licensed medical professionals and operate in a more clinical setting. Skilled nursing communities provide the most care you can receive outside of a hospital.

Independent living communities have a more home-like feel and do not provide the same level of medical care as a skilled nursing community. They are staffed mainly by caregivers and service providers, though they will often have nurses available and doctors on-call.

Independent Living vs Respite Care

Respite care, sometimes called “adult daycare”, is a temporary form of care that is provided to give primary caregivers a break. Respite care can be provided in a variety of settings, including assisted living communities, skilled nursing communities, memory care communities, or in-home care. This is a great option for caregivers who want to provide in-home care for their loved ones themselves, but need someone qualified to take care of them during the workday or during trips and vacations. Respite care can also refer to a short-term stay at a senior living community, like a period of days or weeks.

Typically, independent living residents don’t require respite care.

How Much Does It Cost?

It’s the question we all want the answer to: how much does living at an independent living community actually cost?

According to A Place for Mom, the average monthly cost of an independent living community in the United States is $3,000. This may sound expensive, but since this cost includes not only rent but also utilities, food, transportation, housekeeping, laundry, social and recreational activities, and more, it could actually save you money. This cost can vary widely depending on where you live. At Stellar Living, we provide transparent line-item pricing for our communities. Just call our Family Advisors today to find out how much a Stellar Living Community will cost in your area.

In this section, we’ll take a closer look at what’s included in the cost of independent living and the factors that can affect it. We’ll also explore various payment options.

What’s included in this cost?

The cost of independent living varies depending on the location and type of community. For Stellar Living Communities, this cost typically includes rent, chef-prepared meals, housekeeping, laundry services, utility costs, transportation, use of gyms, libraries, computer rooms, gardens, walking paths, pools, and other on-site amenities, and social and recreational activities both on- and off-site.

Does Health Insurance Cover Independent Living?

Typically, health insurance does not cover independent living. Independent living residents don’t require routine help with activities of daily living. Most insurance plans only offer senior living benefits when senior care is medically necessary.

What about Medicare or Medicaid?

Medicare does not cover the cost of independent living, but Medicaid may cover some of the cost in certain states. Medicaid does not cover the room and board part of independent living costs. Some states offer Medicaid waiver programs that can help reduce the costs of medical services that were received while at an independent living community. These are called Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waivers or 1915(c) Medicaid waivers.

Medicaid waivers are designed to prevent or delay the move into a skilled nursing community. They help cover some long-term services and supports for older adults, people with disabilities, and people with dementia. Nearly 1 in 6 assisted living residents depends on Medicaid to pay for daily care services (Source: National Council on Aging). However, most independent living residents are unlikely to qualify.

Are there Veterans Benefits for Independent Living?

VA benefits are available for veterans who have VA healthcare and require assisted living. Find out more here. However, these benefits do not usually apply to independent living community residents who don’t need care.

If you receive a basic VA pension for veterans and surviving spouses, this income can be used to help cover the costs of independent living.

Is independent living tax deductible?

Medical expenses related to independent living may be tax-deductible, but it depends on the individual’s specific situation and tax filing status. It’s important to consult with a tax professional to determine if your expenses related to assisted living will be tax-deductible.

Typically, non-medical independent living community expenses are not tax-deductible.

How To Pay for Independent Living

Personal Savings & Retirement Income

In general, seniors usually rely on personal savings and retirement income to pay for the majority of independent living community expenses. This can include:

Pensions or Social Security income
Retirement savings accounts
Investments and stock portfolio income
Annuities
Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is available for very low-income seniors who are already receiving Social Security income and who have low net worth.

Use Assets

If you need additional funds to be able to afford independent living, you can sell assets like your home, car(s), recreational vehicles (like a boat, ATV, motorcycle, etc) or other items that you won’t need anymore in an independent living community. Consider using a senior-specialist real estate agent to help you sell your home, because they’ll be more familiar with how to transition this income to senior living.

If you plan to move to an independent living community in the near future, an estate sale is a good way to generate some extra income and recoup the value of your assets and belongings.

Renting out your home is another good way to generate long-term income from your most valuable asset. A local property management company might be able to help make this less stressful. They can deal with collecting rent, finding tenants, and performing maintenance and repairs so you don’t have to. This is an especially good strategy if you live in a desirable area.

Public Health Benefits

If you have very low income, you might qualify for some public health benefits that may help pay for independent living. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers vouchers for housing to low-income seniors who qualify. However, not all independent living communities accept these vouchers as payment. See if you qualify for HUD vouchers here.

Life Insurance

Life insurance is one option for seniors who wish to pay for independent living expenses. You may be able to use your life insurance benefits to cover the costs of independent living and other long-term care needs. When you do this, you get a percentage of the value of your life insurance policy to pay for independent living costs. Typically, you’ll get about 20%-50% of the face value of your policy. However, using this feature will close out your life insurance policy, so any beneficiaries won’t receive any money. It’s a good option to consider if you don’t have a spouse and/or children, or your children are grown and your spouse is already financially stable.

Contact your life insurance provider to learn more about these options.

It’s also a good idea to consult a financial advisor before taking this step. “Cashing out” a life insurance policy can have tax implications, and, since independent living is typically not a necessity, it may not be the best financial choice for everyone.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance may or may not help pay for independent living. You can purchase a long-term care insurance policy in addition to your health insurance plan to prepare for assisted living in the future. Most policies will cover assisted living, skilled nursing care, dementia care, physical and occupational therapy, memory care, and respite care. However, these policies may not cover independent living. Typically, they require you to need help with activities of daily living before the benefits will go into effect. But every plan and provider is different. Check the details and exclusions of your policy to see if independent living would be covered.

How To Choose an Independent Living Community

It can be very hard to choose the right independent living community for you or your loved one. There are many factors to consider, from the level of care and services offered, to the amenities available, to the cost. In this section, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to choose an independent living community. We’ll cover the top 10 questions to ask when visiting an independent living community, as well as other important factors to consider when making your decision. By following the guidelines outlined in this section, you’ll be able to confidently choose an independent living community that meets the needs and preferences of you or your loved one.

Independent Living FAQ (Quick Answers To Your Top Questions)

What is independent living? Independent living is a type of senior living that allows seniors to live independently, while still providing a community setting, safety and security, emergency services, activities, transportation, and amenities.
Who is eligible for independent living? Seniors who don’t require assistance with activities of daily living, and who don’t have extensive medical needs, can live in an independent living community. These communities sometimes have an age requirement of between 50 and 65 years of age, so check the communities you’re considering to make sure you qualify.
How much does independent living cost? The cost of independent living can vary widely depending on location, and is always changing. On average, independent living costs in the year 2023 were around $3,000 per month.
Is independent living covered by Medicare or Medicaid? Independent living is typically not covered by Medicare or Medicaid.
What services are provided in independent living? Services offered in independent living usually include access to amenities, meals, transportation, housekeeping, and laundry services. Most communities also offer recreational and social activities.
Can I bring my own furniture to independent living? It depends on the community. It’s best to check with the community directly.
Can I bring my pet to independent living? Some independent living communities allow residents to bring their pets, while others do not. It’s important to check with the community before moving in to ensure they are pet-friendly.
Can I have visitors in independent living? Yes, residents in independent living are generally allowed to have visitors, but there may still be restrictions in place due to COVID-19.

How do I find the right independent living community for me or my loved one? Research different communities and visit them in person to get a sense of the environment and the level of care provided. It’s also a good idea to talk to current residents and staff.
How is independent living different from assisted living or a skilled nursing community? Independent living offers a totally independent lifestyle, without senior care. Assisted living communities provide basic assistance with activities of daily living. Skilled nursing communities provide a higher level of medical care and supervision.
What happens if a resident’s health needs change and they can no longer live independently? They may need to move to a higher level of care, such as assisted living, a skilled nursing community, or a memory care community.
How can I pay for independent living? There are a variety of ways to pay for independent living, including private pay, selling or renting assets, Social Security benefits, retirement income, and more. Research different options and work with a financial advisor to find what will work for you.
Can I bring my car or keep my driver’s license when living in an independent living community? It depends on the community, but many independent living communities provide transportation for residents. It’s best to check with the community directly.
Can I leave an independently living community and return home? As long as you can still live independently, you can leave an independent living community anytime. However, check with the community to find out their policies on rental contracts and how much notice you’d need to give.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, independent living can provide a great quality of life for older adults who want to maintain independence in a community setting with all its amenities, activities, and social benefits. It’s important to consider the pros and cons, costs, and the different types of senior care available before making a decision. When choosing an independent living community, it’s also important to visit several communities and ask important questions to ensure the best fit for you or your loved one.

If you’re looking for a top-rated independent living community, Stellar Senior Living can help. We have communities throughout the United States and have received numerous awards for our high-quality care and services. To learn more about Stellar Senior Living’s independent living communities and to find a community near you, click here.