No. Independent living is generally unlicensed housing in Ohio because it does not include personal care. Assisted living is licensed as a Residential Care Facility specifically because it involves hands-on help with daily activities.
What this means in practice
The line between the two categories is functional, not architectural -- a community can look identical from the outside, but if it's providing help with bathing, dressing or medication management, Ohio treats that as licensed assisted living rather than unlicensed independent living housing. Several Cincinnati-area campuses (Twin Lakes, Maple Knoll Village, the Otterbein SeniorLife locations, among others) offer both under one roof, letting a resident move from unlicensed independent living into licensed assisted living without changing addresses as needs increase.
Related questions
- What license does Ohio require for assisted living, and what law covers it?
- Does Ohio require a separate certification for memory care?
- How does Ohio license nursing homes differently from assisted living?
- How many days can an assisted living community in Ohio provide skilled nursing before a resident must transfer?
- Where can I see a facility's Ohio inspection record before touring?
