There is a version of retirement that most people imagine when they are young. You stop working, you slow down, you rest. But talk to any senior who is actually thriving in their retirement years and they will tell you a different story. The ones who are genuinely happy are not the ones who are resting the most.

Most people spend decades thinking about what their dream home looks like. Open kitchen, good natural light, a view perhaps. But when it comes to choosing a home for the retirement years, the checklist changes significantly. And it should.

When families start researching retirement living options for their parents or themselves, one of the first questions that comes up is: do I need independent living or assisted living? It sounds like a simple choice, but for most seniors, the reality is somewhere in between.