It’s never too early to plan, and if you’re a senior exploring your options in the Herndon, Virginia, area, you may eventually find yourself trying to figure out the difference between independent living communities and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Though both are able to provide a blend of social, mental, and physical care that allows seniors to age in place, there are important differences between the two that you should understand as you weigh your options.
What Are Independent Living Communities?
Independent living communities are for independent seniors who are in good health. These communities offer apartment and condo options that are part of a larger community and often offer a wide range of amenities, activities, and experiences for their residents, including meal services. Additionally, many independent living communities offer transportation services.
An independent living community is great for seniors who:
- Are healthy, independent, and active, but are tired of the stresses and cost of home ownership and maintenance. Living in an independent living community means that staff take care of these responsibilities as well as help with anything else the community’s seniors may need. Arbor Terrace of Herndon, for example, offers specialists that can visit residents in their home.
- Seek access to a wide range of amenities, social gatherings, and activities.
- Are excited by the idea of living by and enjoying experiences with their peers without having to travel far.
- Wish to simplify their budget with an all-in-one model that includes housing, food, activities, transportation, and more.
- Are currently independent, but want extra support or the ability to age in place if their needs change.
What Are CCRCs?
In most situations, CCRCs allow seniors to own the property that they live in, but they can also move from an independent living arrangement to one that allows for assisted living or nursing care as their needs change.
CCRCs are great for seniors who:
- Want to own their own home, but like the idea of having support nearby when they need it.
- Would prefer to live near other seniors.
- Are looking to live in a planned community that offers a calendar of available activities.
Comparing Independent Living vs. CCRCs in Herndon, VA
Though there is no one-size-fits-all option, independent living communities are often more flexible. At the same time, these independent living communities can be more affordable, even with a roughly equal number of, if not more amenities available.
So how are independent living communities different?
- Affordability: CCRCs tend to be more expensive and can include maintenance and additional in-home care costs.
- Social opportunities: Independent living communities tend to concentrate their residents in one location. In a CCRC, residents live farther apart, which can make it harder for them to meet their neighbors.
- Amenities: Independent living communities are known for their nutritious meals, classes, trips, physical and mental fitness programs, and much more. Though CCRCs often provide many of these features, they usually require residents to travel to community centers for them, and do not offer group dining options. Similarly to independent living arrangements, seniors can get the care that they need in their home.
Seniors who wish to age in place in an engaging and supportive community can find a holistic level of care that meets their needs in an independent living community like Arbor Terrace of Herndon.
So if you want to learn more about what your senior living experience could look like, we would love to show you what Arbor Terrace living is all about. Contact us to learn more.