Independent Living unlocks exciting opportunities for older adults as they transition from the working world to the life of relaxation they've earned. But what exactly is Independent Living, and what do you get in return for your investment? Find out more about the Independent Living option and Brandermill Woods to see if it's the right move for you.
What Is Independent Living?
Independent Living is a senior living option for older adults who are relatively healthy and independent. If you choose this option, it offers maintenance-free living within a larger community where you're surrounded by other seniors. Your monthly service fee covers maintenance, housekeeping, security, and more. However, you're free to come and go as you please and live your life on your terms. Independent Living doesn't come with restrictions or any support for personal care needs.
Housing options often vary and may include freestanding homes, townhouses, and apartments. The Independent Living floor plans at Brandermill Woods include one-, two-, and three-bedroom cottages and one- and two-bedroom apartments to match your needs and preferences. You have your own space without the commitment and responsibility of owning a home.
Plus, your Independent Living home comes with a whole built-in community. At Brandermill Woods, Independent Living is part of a larger community that also offers Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Care. Having that sense of community can help you feel less lonely, and you can enjoy a full range of amenities as part of your monthly financial contribution.
How Is It Different Than a "Retirement Community"?
"Retirement community" is a catch-all phrase that describes community living for older adults usually 55 years and older. It's also sometimes referred to as senior living. Many people use the terms "Independent Living", "retirement community", and "senior living" interchangeably to describe a community for seniors who live independently.
However, within a continuing care retirement community such as Brandermill Woods, Independent Living is a specific level of care. It provides the security of a retirement community without supplying any health or medical support. Many retirement communities have additional care levels, including:
- Assisted Living: A step up from Independent Living, this option comes in handy when you need a little extra help with tasks, such as bathing or eating. The round-the-clock staff assists with personal care needs, emergency medical care, and medication management to help keep you as independent as possible.
- Memory Care: Residents with dementia might opt for a Memory Care neighborhood, such as The Holly Inn at Brandermill Woods. Specially trained caregivers monitor residents 24/7 within a secure, dedicated neighborhood. They incorporate activities and routines that support cognitive health while keeping residents safe.
- Skilled Care: When seniors need round-the-clock medical care, they often move to a Skilled Care or Long-Term Care wing of a retirement community. Residents receive care from licensed nurses and may also participate in physical, occupational, or speech therapy.
What Is Included in Independent Living?
Independent Living doesn't include any type of regular personal care or medical care, but it still delivers plenty of benefits. When you move to Independent Living at Brandermill Woods, you get:
A Maintenance-Free Lifestyle
Say goodbye to all those lawn tools and cleaning gadgets — you won't need them for Independent Living. While you're at it, start calling your friends, and fill that social calendar because you're about to have a lot of free time.
Your monthly service fee covers many of the routine maintenance tasks and chores you're used to doing on your own. It also covers some of your utilities, which can make monthly budgeting a lot easier. At Brandermill Woods, your fee covers the following items:
- Cable
- Electricity
- Campus-wide Wi-Fi
- Maintenance
- Housekeeping
- Around-the-clock security
- Scheduled transportation
That means whether you choose a cottage or an apartment, you don't have to worry about mowing, shoveling snow, maintaining the landscaping, cleaning your windows, or completing repairs. You can even skip cooking if you'd like with the casual and elegant dining options on campus.
A Community
When you own a home, you have a natural community in your neighborhood, but it might not be a close-knit neighborhood. Independent Living creates a unique atmosphere in which all residents are older adults. You're more likely to have something in common with people your own age. It's easier to start a conversation with other seniors who live in the same place.
Plus, you have the shared experience of living on the same campus. You can chat about the latest social events or discuss the live entertainment you saw last week. What's more, you'll see the same people around campus, so you can build friendships based on those encounters. You might live independently, but you don't have to feel lonely in an Independent Living community. Making the move can help you fend off loneliness in your later years.
Social Activities and Wellness
You might be retired, but that doesn't mean you have to sit around and do nothing. Brandermill Woods helps you take your social life to the next level with a well-rounded schedule of daily activities. Share a story with your neighbors at happy hour, or make something creative at an art class. The variety makes it easy to find something that fits your preferences, and you can try something new without any risk.
Brandermill Woods also sets you up to stay active and support your wellness. An indoor therapeutic swimming pool, fitness center, and membership to the Brandermill Country Club make it easy to find a way to work up a sweat. A full-time wellness nurse is on-site Monday through Friday, and scheduled transportation to your doctor's appointments is provided.
Security
Living alone feels a lot better when you have security features available to you. Brandermill Woods has around-the-clock security throughout the campus, including the Independent Living neighborhood. Security is included as part of your monthly fee.
You also have the security of knowing you have other care options available to you if your care needs change. As an Independent Living resident, you receive priority admission to other levels of care, such as Assisted Living and Memory Care.
Amenities
When you choose Independent Living, you gain access to all the amenities without leaving campus. Some features of Brandermill Woods include:
- A movie theater
- A woodworking shop
- A bistro
- Game rooms
- A library
- An arts-and-crafts room
- A cocktail lounge
Those amenities add to residents' quality of life. You don't have to look far to find a way to entertain yourself.
Brandermill Woods Offers a Continuum of Care
Brandermill Woods provides a secure Independent Living community packed with amenities. It also has you covered as your needs change with a continuum of care to accommodate every need. Contact us to schedule a visit online, or call us at (804) 621-7328 to see how Independent Living can work for you.
