Personal care services are provided in assisted living, but are not provided in independent living (with a few exceptions). There are other common differences between independent living and assisted living, but these can vary greatly from community-to-community. Independent living apartments tend to be larger (500 - 1,500 sf or more) versus assisted living apartments (250 - 1,200 sf). Independent living facilities may focus on hospitality and amenities while assisted living communities focus on care, but this can vary significantly. Independent living residents tend to be younger (average in the low 80's), but this average has been increasing over the past couple of years such that it is almost the same as the average for assisted living. Both independent and assisted living can be great options, but the better choice really depends on your situation and care needs.