Assisted Living vs. Independent Living: Which Is Right for You?

WorldPopulationReview.com reports that, as of 2024, Maryland was home to over 4.8 million adults, of whom 986,154 were older adults. So, in the Free State, one in every four adults is a senior.

If you or a loved one is part of Maryland’s senior population, now is a good time to consider comparing assisted living vs. independent living. You want to prepare for what the future brings, and depending on your health needs and personal preferences, one can offer a better retirement living option.

So, join our caring team at Lakeside At Mallard Landing in Salisbury, MD, as we provide insights into these two different senior housing options, including a care level comparison.

What Is an Assisted Living Community?

An assisted living community is a retirement housing option for older adults who need an extra helping hand for activities of daily living (ADLs) but not as much as seniors who reside in nursing homes. In these communities, well-appointed apartment homes and personalized care services await residents. They offer numerous amenities, from health and socialization programs to restaurant-like dining services and on-site beauty salons/barber shops.

What About an Independent Living Community?

An independent living community is a retirement community for older adults who are still capable of independent care but prefer to live with people closer to or of the same age. It caters to seniors who want to live in maintenance-free apartment homes and make active senior lifestyle choices. Like an assisted living community, it provides residents access to similar amenities.

Assisted Living vs. Independent Living: When to Choose Which

When choosing between assisted and independent living, your primary considerations should be your current and future physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being needs. Consider the following questions to help you make a more informed decision.

Do You Need Help With One or More ADLs?

ADLs are fundamental tasks people need to do to care for themselves and stay happy, healthy, and safe. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), about two-thirds of individuals who reach older age are likely to need longer-term support and care from others to perform ADLs.

If you or your older loved one needs help with one or more of the following tasks, consider transitioning to assisted living:

• Medication management
• Showering and bathing
• Dressing and selecting appropriate clothes
• Personal grooming and hygiene
• Mobility and transfer
• Continence management

We provide all those care services (and more!) at Lakeside at Mallard Landing, our assisted living community in Salisbury, MD. Rest assured that our professional team of care experts is available 24 hours a day.

Do You Have a Chronic Health Condition?

According to the National Council on Aging, approximately 95% of adults 60 and over have at least one chronic condition. Almost eight in ten (78.7%) even have two or more! The most common ones include:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Arthritis
• Ischemic heart disease
• Diabetes

If you or your older loved one has a chronic health condition, too, performing ADLs may become more challenging. So, if you’re considering moving to a retirement community, it may be best to choose assisted living over independent living. Doing so can give you or your aging family member access to 24/7 personalized care and support.

Will You Need Help From Others Soon?

Perhaps you or your older loved one is in good health now, but you have a personal or family health history that puts you at risk of developing chronic illnesses soon. For example, you believe you have a higher risk for one or more of the following diseases, which, according to an article from the National Library of Medicine, run in the family:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Asthma
• Diabetes

The above are examples of chronic health conditions that can make it harder to live independently. For instance, heart disease causes symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling, which can make performing ADLs more challenging. Diabetes can also contribute to malnutrition, a condition that can lead to reduced muscle strength and mobility, which can then interfere with one’s ability to perform ADLs.

Provided you don’t have a chronic health condition yet, you can choose an independent living community in Salisbury, MD. However, you must also consider your potential healthcare needs and the likelihood of needing extra help. In this case, a wise choice would be to choose a senior living community that provides both independent and assisted living.

Lakeside At Mallard Landing is proud to offer independent and assisted living options. By choosing our community, you can enjoy the benefits of both worlds if you ever have to transition from independent living to assisted living.

Do You Simply Want to Leave Trivial Chores Behind?

Suppose you’re healthy and have no immediate and long-term worries about your physical and mental capacity to live independently and on your terms. However, you live alone and have grown weary of tedious home maintenance and repair tasks.

In that case, independent living is a better senior housing option. Here, you can lead a maintenance-free lifestyle and access plenty of on-site amenities for your pleasure and convenience:

• Spacious apartments
• Housekeeping and maintenance
• Kitchens with stainless steel appliances
• Designer flooring
• Large walk-in closets and storage areas
• Oversized windows with custom blinds
• Walk-in and easy-access showers
• In-house washer and dryer
• Individually controlled A/C and heating units
• 24-hour clubhouse
• On-site dining with chef-prepared meals
• Recreational, social, and physical activities and events

Lakeside At Mallard Landing’s residents enjoy all those perks and more.

Ready for Top-Quality Assisted or Independent Living?

In this assisted living vs. independent living comparison guide, you learned that the former specializes in providing personalized care and support to older residents who need help with ADLs. On the other hand, independent living communities are for active seniors whose health is in tip-top shape but who want to lead maintenance-free lifestyles and be closer to people their age.

We look forward to giving you a tour of our assisted living and independent living communities and helping you make a more informed decision. If you’re still unsure which type of senior community to choose, we encourage you to connect with us at Lakeside At Mallard Landing in Salisbury, MD.