A Checklist for Independent Living

There’s a lot to consider as you decide whether independent living is a good fit for the retirement of your dreams. Deciding whether to leave your familiar family home is a huge decision. So is choosing between an independent living community or another type of senior living. To make it easier, we recommend considering things from two aspects: your needs/wants and your budget/value. As such, here’s a checklist for independent living based on each.

A checklist for independent living: Your needs and wants

Independent living can be considered more of a lifestyle choice than other types of senior living which are focused more on assistance and care for health needs. Independent living, however, is designed for active seniors who want to spend more time enjoying retirement and less on the hassles of chores and home upkeep.  

As such, residents can expect a range of accommodation options, restaurant-style dining, housekeeping and laundry service, exercise programs, concierge services, group transportation, and a full calendar of social opportunities, activities, and clubs. So, when deciding whether the lifestyle fits your needs and wants, consider this checklist for independent living:

• Are you tired of cleaning, cooking, household repairs, and yard work?
• Can you get around easily by yourself?
• Are you able to manage your medications and personal care?
• Do you have as many active friendships as you’d like?
• Would you like to find a new hobby or try something new?
• Are you seeking more purpose in life?
• Is it becoming harder to fill your calendar with fun, engaging activities?

A checklist for your independent living budget

When considering costs for independent living versus staying at home, many simply compare the monthly cost in a community to their mortgage or rent alone. However, that’s not your total monthly cost of living at home. You must also add food, utilities, home maintenance, property taxes, insurance, and entertainment to that cost for an accurate comparison. That’s where the value of independent living really comes in because all these things are included in the monthly cost! This checklist for independent living costs can help you more easily budget versus home.

Monthly Expenses

• Mortgage or Rent:
  • Costs at Home: 
  • Cost of Independent Living
• Caregiving:
  • Costs at Home: 
  • Cost of Independent Living: Included

• Property tax and insurance:
  • Costs at Home: 
  • Cost of Independent Living: Included

• Home maintenance and repairs:
  • Costs at Home: 
  • Cost of Independent Living: Included
• Lawn care and maintenance:
  • Costs at Home: 
  • Cost of Independent Living: Included

• Housekeeping:
  • Costs at Home: 
  • Cost of Independent Living: Included

• Utilities (electricity, gas, water, trash removal, etc:
  • Costs at Home: 
  • Cost of Independent Living: Included

• 24-hour security:
  • Costs at Home: 
  • Cost of Independent Living: Included

• Transportation (insurance, gas registration, repairs):
  • Costs at Home: 
  • Cost of Independent Living: Included

• Dining:
  • Costs at Home: 
  • Cost of Independent Living: Included

• Social and Entertainment:
  • Costs at Home: 
  • Cost of Independent Living: Included

• Exercise and wellness:
  • Costs at Home: 
  • Cost of Independent Living: Included

• 24-hour emergency alert system:
  • Costs at Home: 
  • Cost of Independent Living: Included

Total Actual Costs:

• Home:
• Independent Living:

The added value of independent living

But even if your comparison shows the cost of senior living is more than staying at home, make sure to consider the positive impact on quality of life as well because that’s an additional value. For example, it’s often easier to be more active, social, and engaged in communities like ours than at home. Plus, there’s the freedom to enjoy it all without the burden of unexpected expenses like you may have at home.

What’s more, independent living communities like ours also feature that full continuum of care on the same campus. So, should you ever need a higher level of care, you’ll enjoy a much easier transition in familiar surroundings and with continuity of care.

We also offer home care services so you can remain independent as long as possible. Not to mention our award-winning therapy services should you need help with rehabilitation and recovery after surgery, illness, or injury.