One of the most important decisions you'll make when considering senior living is determining which level of care is right for you or your loved one. At Starling, we offer three distinct lifestyle options -- Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care -- each designed to meet different needs while maintaining our commitment to luxury, comfort, and exceptional service.
This guide will help you understand the differences between each lifestyle and provide clarity as you navigate this important decision.
At Starling, we offer a continuum of care, meaning we can support you through multiple stages of life without requiring a move to a different community. This allows residents to transition seamlessly from one level of care to another as needs change, all while staying in a familiar environment surrounded by the same caring staff and friends. We call this "aging in place," and it is very important.
Who Is Independent Living For?
Independent Living is ideal for active seniors who are ready to embrace a maintenance-free lifestyle without sacrificing independence. If you can manage daily activities without assistance but want to simplify life and enjoy a vibrant social community, Independent Living is the perfect fit.
Key Signs You're Ready for Independent Living:
- Fully independent in all daily activities
- Able to manage your own medications
- Want freedom from home maintenance and cooking
- Looking for social engagement and an active lifestyle
- Desire access to resort-style amenities
What's Included:
- Spacious, luxurious apartment homes with full kitchens
- Gourmet dining in multiple restaurant-style venues
- Weekly housekeeping and maintenance services
- Complimentary scheduled transportation
- Robust activity calendar with social, educational, and cultural programs
- State-of-the-art fitness center, pool, and spa
- 24/7 security and emergency response
Think of Independent Living as living in a luxury resort where all the tedious tasks of homeownership are handled for you. You're free to pursue your hobbies, make new friends, and enjoy life without worrying about home maintenance or cooking every meal.
Who Is Assisted Living For?
Assisted Living is designed for seniors who need some help with daily activities but still want to maintain as much independence as possible. It provides the perfect balance of personalized care and luxurious living.
Key Signs You Need Assisted Living:
- Need assistance with bathing, dressing, or grooming
- Require medication management and reminders
- Have experienced falls or balance issues
- Struggle with meal preparation
- Have chronic health conditions requiring monitoring
- Would benefit from regular wellness checks
Starling's Assisted Living lifestyle includes everything from Independent Living, plus:
- Personalized care plans tailored to individual needs
- 24/7 professionally trained nurses and caregivers
- Assistance with activities of daily living
- Medication management and administration
- Health monitoring and coordination with physicians
- Access to on-site therapy studio
- Call button emergency response systems
You receive the help you need while maintaining your dignity, independence, and quality of life. Our caregivers become trusted companions who provide support with warmth and professionalism. You'll still enjoy all our resort-style amenities, social activities, and gourmet dining, with the peace of mind that help is always available.
Who Is Memory Care For?
Memory Care, also known as Starlight, is our highest level of specialized care, designed specifically for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other cognitive impairments. Our Memory Care residences provide a secure, purposefully designed environment where residents receive expert care while maintaining dignity and quality of life.
Key Signs Your Loved One Needs Memory Care:
- Diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease
- Wanders or gets lost in familiar places
- Experiences significant confusion about time, place, or people
- Needs supervision to remain safe
- Has difficulty with basic activities like eating or dressing
- Shows personality changes or challenging behaviors
- Requires 24/7 supervision and support
Everything from our other lifestyles is included, plus:
- Secure, purposefully designed neighborhoods preventing wandering
- 24/7 specialized dementia care from highly trained staff
- Low staff-to-resident ratios for personalized attention
- Dedicated Memory Care dining rooms with family-style service
- Specialized activity calendar designed for cognitive engagement
- Reminiscence therapy, music and art therapy
- Secure outdoor spaces for safe enjoyment
- Regular family communication and support groups
Starlight (Memory Care) at Starling focuses on what residents can still do, not what they've lost. Our specialized programming engages residents at their current ability level, providing purpose, joy, and meaningful experiences every day. Our trained staff understand the unique challenges of dementia and respond with compassion, patience, and expertise.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing
1. Current and Future Needs - While it's important to assess current abilities, also consider how needs might change. Choosing a community with a continuum of care provides peace of mind for future transitions.
2. Level of Independence - Be honest about areas where you or your loved one are struggling. Independence should be preserved as much as possible, but safety always comes first.
3. Medical and Cognitive Conditions - Chronic health conditions, mobility issues, and cognitive impairments all influence which level of care is appropriate. Consult with healthcare providers about recommendations.
4. Safety Concerns - Falls, accidents, medication errors, or skipped meals often indicate the need for a higher level of care.
5. Social Isolation - Loneliness can accelerate cognitive decline and impact physical health. All three Starling lifestyle options provide vibrant social communities with different levels of support.
6. Caregiver Stress - If family members are providing care at home, consider their well-being too. Caregiver burnout can impact the quality of care being provided.
Which lifestyle fits me?
- Recently retired, fully independent, tired of home maintenance, wants social engagement. (Independent Living)
- Needs help with bathing and dressing, forgetting medications, experiencing balance issues. (Assisted Living)
- Beginning to show signs of confusion, occasionally disoriented, family worried about safety. (Assisted Living with potential transition to Memory Care)
- Significant memory impairment, needs supervision, may wander, requires specialized care. (Memory Care)
The Starling Advantage: Seamless Transitions
One of the greatest benefits of choosing Starling is our commitment to helping residents "age in place." As your needs change, you don't have to leave the community, your friends, or the staff who know you best.
Our continuum of care provides:
- Continuity of relationships with staff and residents
- Reduced stress during transitions
- Familiar environment during challenging changes
- Peace of mind knowing all levels of care are available
How to Make the Decision:
- Assess current abilities and needs honestly, considering physical, cognitive, and emotional factors
- Consult healthcare providers for professional recommendations
- Visit Starling communities and tour all three lifestyle options
- Talk with our team about which level of care is most appropriate
- Involve your loved one in the decision-making process when possible
- Review financial options and understand what's included at each level
At Starling, our team has extensive experience helping families navigate these decisions. We can provide professional assessments, honest recommendations, and answers to all your questions, without pressure.
Important to remember: It's better to have too much support than too little. If you're torn between two levels of care, err on the side of more support.
Signs It's Time to Transition From Independent Living to Assisted Living:
- Difficulty managing medications
- Struggling with bathing or dressing
- Increased falls or mobility issues
- Weight loss or declining self-care
- New health conditions requiring monitoring
From Assisted Living to Memory Care:
- Significant memory loss interfering with safety
- Wandering or attempting to leave the community
- Increased confusion and disorientation
- Behavioral changes requiring specialized dementia care
- Need for more supervision than Assisted Living provides
Making Peace with Your Decision
Choosing a level of care can bring feelings of guilt, sadness, or anxiety. These emotions are completely normal. Remember that you're choosing quality of life and safety. This is an act of love, ensuring your loved one receives appropriate support.
At Starling, we've walked alongside countless families through these decisions. We're committed to making this transition as smooth as possible and providing exceptional care at every level.
The best way to determine which lifestyle option is right for you or your loved one is to experience Starling firsthand. We invite you to:
- Tour our communities and see all three lifestyle options
- Meet our staff and experience our culture of care
- Enjoy a complimentary meal in our dining rooms
- Attend activities and see our programming in action
- Ask questions without any pressure to make immediate decisions
We're confident that when you experience the Starling difference -- our luxury amenities, exceptional care, vibrant programming, and warm community -- you'll understand why families throughout Florida choose us.
Ready to learn more? Our team at Starling is here to provide guidance, answer questions, and help you find the perfect fit for every stage of life. Contact us today to schedule personalized tours and discuss your specific needs.