Independent Retirement Living or Assisted Living—What are the Differences and Which is Right for You?

As a Continuing Care Retirement Community, Crane’s Mill in Essex County, NJ offers its residents levels of care ranging from Independent Living to Assisted Living and Memory Support to Skilled Nursing and Sub-Acute Rehab care.

What is “Independent Retirement Living”? It’s just like living in your own home, but with the added benefit of services and amenities. Included for all residents are housekeeping, transportation, maintenance, emergency response system, exercise classes, social and cultural offerings and so much more.

Also included is a flexible meal plan that covers a restaurant-style dinner every night in the Candleberry Dining Room with the option of using your flexible meal dollars in other ways if you choose, such as breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Heartwood Cafe.

So, you need not worry about cooking, cleaning, transportation, lawn care, maintenance of any kind, appliances—truly a pampered lifestyle, but with the option of doing any or all of those things should you chose. Each apartment has a full, state-of-the-art kitchen so “foodies” can cook every meal if they choose. Those with a green thumb can join the gardening club, utilize our green house or simply keep plants on their own screened-in porch (every apartment has one).

At Crane’s Mill, life truly does become “independent” once again for seniors—you can do the things you love without the hassle of things you don’t getting in the way. Plus theres the peace of mind that should any healthcare needs arise, care is only steps away at our on-site health center.

Should a person develop the need for more care with their activities of daily living, our assisted living facility provides such care in a newly-renovated environment. The professional, courteous staff tends to the resident’s changing needs while the wonderful Crane’s Mill services and amenities are only steps away. There’s also a separate area designated specifically for those needing memory support.

The Crane’s Mill Courier will continue to explore the different retirement living options at our community, but if you’re interested in learning more in person, please call us at 973-276-3001 or simply send us an email and we’ll be happy to provide any further information to help with your retirement planning.