The Waterford on Highland Colony senior living services

The main difference between an independent living community and a nursing home is the level of medical care provided to residents. Independent living communities do not provide medical care or clinical support, whereas nursing homes (often called skilled nursing facilities) do.

The focus in independent living communities is on convenience and helping residents maintain an active and social lifestyle, whereas the focus in nursing homes is on providing medical care and needed support. Senior living communities cannot provide clinical services like IV therapy, wound care and 24-hour nursing supervision.

However, many communities offer on-site therapeutic services, visits from medical providers, home health care and hospice services.

There are many factors that affect pricing. This includes the location of the community and the type of apartment, such as a studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment. However, the cost of independent living at our community in Ridgeland begins at $2,495 per month.

Moving to an independent living community can help you save money! Expenses that are usually included as part of the monthly rent include utilities, basic cable and Wi-Fi (in some communities), groceries, meals, cleaning/housekeeping, maintenance, transportation services, and of course, activities to keep you entertained!

There are many options available to help pay for independent living, including long-term care insurance policies, life insurance conversions, bridge loans and more.

You may also be eligible for assistance through other federal programs and agencies. These include the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration.

In general, independent living communities are designed for older adults who don’t usually need significant assistance in their day-to-day lives.

However, some communities have an on-site or visiting clinical and medical provider who can make home visits for residents. Some communities also offer on-site home health, hospice, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and chiropractic home visits.

Respite care, also known as temporary care, refers to a short-term stay at a senior living community. The stay ranges from a few days to a few weeks in a furnished apartment with access to community amenities and services. 

We offer this option for seniors in need of temporary residence. That could be due to a caregiver’s absence or a recent illness or injury, or even just for those who want to try out our community before making a permanent move.