Independent Living
Defined by Choice

Active older adults who do not require frequent assistance with daily tasks or medical needs are ideal candidates for independent living.

If you’re in this category, moving to an independent living community can allow you to enjoy the same privacy and freedom you’re accustomed to with the added benefits of maintenance-free living, convenient and wellness-enhancing amenities, exciting social programming, and access to a continuum of care.

All independent living at a WesleyLife community will provide access to key on-site amenities, including:

• Home and lawn maintenance
• Gathering spaces
• Dining venues
• Wellness centers 

Some additional amenities you may find include:  

• Aquatic centers
• Yoga studios
• Recreation and game rooms
• Libraries
• Guest suites for friends and family
• Art studios
• Woodworking shops
• Salons and barber shops
• Outdoor patios and gardens
• Walking paths
• Cafés and coffee shops
• On-site banking
• General stores

Independent living is all about choice, including when it comes to meals. Every community offers on-site dining (and most offer multiple dining venues), so you can enjoy a restaurant-style experience whenever you like. Or, if you enjoy cooking, you can prepare meals in your own private kitchen.

Independent living homes come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to large townhomes with plenty of room for entertaining. You can learn about available floor plans for any community you’re considering by checking online or scheduling a tour.

Independent living is designed to enhance your independence, not diminish it. You’ll still enjoy privacy and complete autonomy over how you spend your days. By gaining access to amenities that make your life more convenient and promote a healthy lifestyle, you may be able to live independently for longer than you would in your current home.

If you want to preserve your independence without moving to a community, consider exploring WellAhead — A WesleyLife Well-Being Experience, our continuing care at home program designed to enhance well-being at home while securing your future.

Independent living and assisted living share many similarities and often coexist on the same senior living campus. The difference lies in the amount of support residents receive. If you would benefit from frequent assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) or with managing a chronic health condition, then assisted living is likely a better fit.

The terms “retirement community” and “55+ community” are sometimes used interchangeably with independent living, but these communities typically don’t include the amenities and wellness benefits you’ll find in independent living, aside from exterior upkeep and communal gathering spaces.

Independent living is one level of living within a broader continuum of care. The other levels of living on this continuum (i.e., assisted living, short-term rehabilitation, memory support, and long-term care) involve more extensive assistance from team members and medical oversight.

By moving to an independent living community that offers a full continuum of care on the same campus, you can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that if your needs change in the future, you can seamlessly transition to a different level of living while remaining within the same community you know and love.

Yes! All WesleyLife Communities for Healthy Living allow and encourage independent living residents to own cats and dogs.

The cost of independent living can range from $1,500-$10,000 per month. Keep in mind that this cost replaces many costs you’re likely used to budgeting for now, including:

• Rent or mortgage
• Homeowner’s insurance
• Property taxes
• Home maintenance expenses
• Utilities
• Gym membership or other amenities

Some people are surprised to learn how affordable a move to independent living can be, especially when they sell their home or leverage their investments and retirement savings.

Learn more about senior living costs and potential savings by using our cost calculator.