Assisted…Independent…Continuing Care Retirement Community…Senior Apartments – What’s the Difference?

With so many different types of senior communities to choose from it can be pretty confusing. Whether you’re looking for a community full of involvement opportunities, a peaceful place to retire or are in search of a care facility for mom and dad, it's helpful to understand the different lifestyle options that are available. We strongly suggest taking a tour of the community in order to get a first-hand impression of the entire experience.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Senior Apartment communities are not necessarily senior living facilities (although they may be mistaken for them due to their title). Senior apartments are age-restricted to 55+ only residents and can be owned or rented. Depending on the community, they may have fitness centers or social activities but do not have trained staff on hand to facilitate wellness programming and assist with housekeeping or medications. Also these facilities do not provide daily meals.

Independent Living is an age-restricted, apartment rental community that provides services like transportation, events, wellness programs, and linen and housekeeping services. In addition, IL communities provide a community dining facility with daily meals as well as opportunities for social involvement and cultural enrichment. IL communities do not provide, in a majority of the apartments, assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as supervision of medication, bathing, dressing, toileting, etc.

Assisted Living residents maintain and live in their own apartments and are provided services like housekeeping, dining, wellness, and community activities. Assisted Living provides residents with the ability to maintain their independent lifestyle while giving them the security of supportive care from trained associates based on the amount of support they require. This may involve assistance with any variety of activities of daily living (ADLs) including management of medications, basic hygiene, dressing, ambulating and eating.

Continuing Care Retirement Community – CCRCs are also age-restricted but may combine private cottage homes for members with active lifestyles, Independent Living, Assisted Living, and some memory care and/or skilled nursing services. CCRCs provide members with the comfort of knowing that they can stay in one community as they age even if their needs for support change over time. They usually offer a campus type environment with more amenities and services than most rental communities. Traditionally, CCRC’s have offered payment plans that include an entrance fee (or buy-in) that reduces the monthly payment with some form of refund when the member moves on. Some CCRC’s are offering condo/coop and rental payment plans as well.



At Valencia Terrace we offer Assisted and Independent Living Apartments as well as Private Casitas for active lifestyles. Life at Valencia Terrace is defined by Kisco's The Art of Living WellSM culture. We recognize everyone is unique with their own passions, interests, and experiences. This is why we offer a variety of lifestyle options and flexible programs and services to satisfy your preferences and needs over time. For a more comprehensive understanding of our community and to experience The Art of Living WellSM for yourself we invite you to visit us today.