If My Spouse or I Move to Assisted Living, Are We Able to Move Back Out to Independent Living?

Dear Acts,
My husband and I are thinking about moving to an Acts Retirement community, but we’re concerned about what happens if one of us eventually needs more care. If either of us has to move to assisted living, would we ever be able to move back to independent living later on if our health improves?
— Concerned About Our Future in Florida

Dear Concerned,
It’s wonderful that you’re thinking ahead—and you’re not alone in asking this question! Many couples wonder about their options should their health needs change after moving to a retirement community.

Here’s the good news: at Acts, your health and well-being come first, and we strive to make transitions as smooth and flexible as possible. It's more common among our residents to have a short-term stay in our skilled care neighborhoods (to recover from an illness or rehabilitate from a procedure, for example) and return to independent living. At Acts, it's our goal that you live in your independent living residence for as long as possible, so typically a transition to our assisted living neighborhood is made only when a resident will require long-term assisted living, meaning this is often a permanent transition. What is really appreciated by residents is that, if only one of you needs a higher level of care, you both can still remain on the same campus, able to easily participate in the same activities you’ve been enjoying. The Type A Life Care contract allows you to move in and out of health services as needed.

We understand that life changes, and if you’re able to regain the level of independence needed for independent living, we will work with you to accommodate that move. Each situation is unique, so we recommend discussing your individual circumstances with our team as part of the planning process. We're committed to offering long-term care options that help residents maintain their independence for as long as possible.

The important thing is that you’re always taken care of, no matter which level of care you or your husband may need at any given time.

Warmly,
An Acts Retirement Expert