If it’s getting harder for you to do the things you used to do – like grocery shopping, driving, or self-care – you’re not alone. As a normal part of aging, slowing down doesn’t necessarily mean that the days of living independently are over. With a growing senior population in the U.S., there’s a high availability of senior living and assistance services designed to keep older adults safe, comfortable, and independent. Two of the more popular options are in-home care and assisted living. What follows are some advantages and disadvantages of both.
What is Home Care?
According to a 2018 AARP survey, roughly 75% of Americans aged 50+ want to remain in their current homes for as long as possible. Realistically speaking, most seniors eventually require at least some assistance to remain independent. Home care allows you to stay at home by bringing professional caregivers to you.
How long they stay and how they help depends on the client’s specific needs. While there, home care aides can assist with non-medical activities of daily living (ADLs), like hygiene assistance, meal preparation, medication reminders, companionship, transportation, and more.
If you require medical attention like skilled nursing therapy or wound dressing changes, your doctor may order home healthcare services provided by licensed professionals with advanced training and education.
What is Assisted Living?
With assisted living, you go to the caregivers. An assisted living facility (ALF) or residential care facility provides shared or private rooms in a community of seniors. Although there’s no constant supervision or medical treatment, 24-hour assistance is available for an additional fee.
On-site caregivers can help with bathing, dressing, medication management, meal services, and transportation, as needed. Services like housekeeping, laundry, physical therapy, and memory care might also cost you extra.
How Much Does Each Option Cost?
When friends and relatives act as informal caregivers, home care is always the cheapest option. According to the 2020 Cost of Care Survey from Genworth Financial, the median monthly cost of in-home care delivered by a home health aide in the U.S. is $4,576. The median price of assisted living runs about $4,300 per month, although both figures depend on variables starting with the geographic location.
Other Considerations
Other things to consider when choosing between assisted living and home care include:
Social opportunities
Being social is essential for good health at any age, especially for seniors. In-home caregivers provide companionship that may include conversation, playing games together, watching movies, or reminiscing over old photos. Staying in the same neighborhood keeps friends and regular activities close by, and you can still host family get-togethers in an environment where everyone feels comfortable.
In an ALF, you live near your peers while having access to activities like bingo, holiday parties, and group outings. There are shared meals, organized social events, arts and crafts classes, and group trips.
Safety and security
No matter where you choose to live, you want to be safe. Assisted living communities are designed to keep seniors safe, with elderly-accessible housing, security, and 24-hour personal care services. Aging at home is safe too, but it might take some home modifications such as widening doorways, installing a walk-in shower, or using a medical alert system.
Familiar surroundings
For most seniors, home is where the heart is. Nothing can duplicate the ability to spend one’s golden years surrounded by family and friends without any rules and routines to follow. No matter where you are going, moving is a significant inconvenience. Plus, your home is yours. It’s comfortable and familiar. Familiar surroundings also help speed up the recovery process after an illness or surgery.
How to Make the Right Choice
Assisted living and home care have similar goals — helping seniors age with dignity while staying as independent as possible. The most important thing for you is choosing which option will keep everyone involved happy, healthy, and safe without depleting your retirement “nest egg.”
Flexible In-Home Care for Seniors in Littleton, CO
Once you’ve decided to start home care, choosing the best provider can be difficult. At Assisting Hands® Home Care, our company was founded on the principles of caring for others in a way that we would also want to be cared for. While providing services to anyone in any situation that makes living independently more difficult, our mission is to help clients remain happy and at home. In addition to assisting with normal, everyday activities, our caregivers also have training and experience in providing more intensive home health care.
Our certified, bonded, and insured professionals have the compassion and skills necessary to help you overcome the challenges your loved one and family may be facing. Our service plans are individualized to meet your family’s needs, from hourly to 24-hour, around-the-clock care. To learn more about our in-home services or schedule a free personalized assessment for a senior in Littleton, CO, today, please visit Assisting Hands® Home Care at www.assistinghands.com/94/colorado/littleton/
