Independent living in Indiana is generally unlicensed housing -- apartments or cottages with dining and activities but no personal care. Assisted living communities are licensed by the Indiana Department of Health as Residential Care Facilities and provide medication administration and help with daily activities.
What changes between the two
Because independent living involves no personal care, it typically requires no state license at all. Assisted living's RCF license under 410 IAC 16.2-5 requires medication administration and ADL help to be delivered by qualified staff, under state inspection.
Campuses that combine both
Several Indianapolis-area campuses -- including communities in Carmel, Fishers and Zionsville -- offer both independent and assisted living on one site, letting a resident move between levels without changing addresses. Ask directly whether that transition is guaranteed or merely available if space allows, since the two are very different promises.
