2nd July 2021
It’s a question we’re often asked here at Falcon Housing Association: what’s the difference between assisted living and independent living? In this post, we’ll give an answer to this question while looking into other common questions around supported living and the service we provide.
What is assisted living?
Supported living, or assisted living, helps those with a disability live with the support they need enabling them to live with autonomy, freedom and independence. It usually involves care or support services, whether 24 hours or shorter calls arranged throughout the day/week.
What is independent living?
Disability Rights UK say that independent living gives a disabled person ”greater choice and control in directing [their] own life” and also gives them dignity. Assisted living helps vulnerable adults to have the same choices as a person without learning disabilities and can mean ”living independently without the dependency created by institutions”. Obviously, what this means on an individual level may vary greatly.
What support is available?
There’s lots of help available. It might be around health and lifestyle, personal care (such as managing medication, washing or even cooking), or doing household chores. At Falcon Housing Association, we also encourage the building of friendships and relationships, as well as a wider sense of community, which can help the person in supported living feel that there’s a support network in place.
Who is suitable for supported living?
We’re here for people who have been assessed and allocated commissioned care services. Either those who have lived in care settings historically or are looking for a place by themselves (maybe after college or after living with friends or family). And we’re also here for those who’ve lived unsupported, but may now feel they need some help with day-to-day living. If you’re in doubt about the right choice for you or a loved one, talk to us.
What happens if I apply for supported living?
Your chosen Care Provider will carry out a detailed assessment of your (or your loved one’s) circumstances and develop a tailored personal support plan that meets your needs. It’ll cover what support is needed and when.
What happens if I decide supported living isn’t right for me?
This is something that can – and does – happen, but we’re here if that happens. Just as we can support you from the transition into supported living, such as if you (or a loved one) have been in a care facility, we can also help with transitioning out of assisted supported living.
What’s my next step?
Get in touch with our team to find out how we can help. Find all the details by getting in touch with our contact page.