I am an aging senior 81 looking for answers.

As FF notes, "independent living" can vary by area, as well as interpretation.   I tend to think of it as remaining at home, with or without help, as well as living in, for example, a retirement community.   But usually I just refer to remaining at home as that, or "staying at home."

The difference is not only location and assistance, but cost, in the thousands of dollars.    There are also restrictions on retirement communities, ones that I find offensive and arbitrary.  

In my area, some extended communities have been developed, providing a continuum of care, including rehab, independent living, assisted living, and palliative and hospice care, all in one contained setting and under the same management.

Kingsdaughter, there can be confusion whenever one hears the term "independent living", it could vary from area to area.

In the area where I live, "independent living" is an actual senior living building. Seniors rent apartments like they would any place else but the building usually has a nurse available 24 hours a day. The rent may or may not include once a week housekeeping and linen service. The rent may or may not include three meals in a restaurant styled dining area. Some places have options for other services that one may need.

Regarding Assisted Living, the key word is "Assisted". Therefore the person living in the senior building where there is Assisted Living is given help with bathing, getting dressed, help with walking to the main dining room. And the apartment can be a small room, which I would say is the size of a private college dorm room. A person can be given assistant regarding pill taking. Assisted Living tries to have activities geared to the age group.

Hope this helps :)

You answered one that this site is for both caregivers and seniors like me. I am not sure I understand in the area of Vacaville, Ca the difference assisted living and independent. Assuming independent living is staying in our home with caregivers on call. I am just starting to look for answers. Thank you

Hello Kingsdaughter07, go ahead and ask your questions in this post.

Not all of the people on this site are caregivers.
The question I have for you is...
What answers are you looking for? Not all questions have answers. Like When am I going to die?, What are the Lottery numbers for tonight, or any night for that matter. Some do have answers, like Where do I call to get information on Lewy Body Dementia? or What should I look for in a Senior Housing Community, and should I consider a move?