When your loved one struggles to maintain their quality of life at home, getting them assistance is important. But when it comes to deciding what to do next, many loved ones feel confused or overwhelmed. Deciding between in-home care vs. assisted living facilities is a common choice for people who need daily care. Each of these options has its benefits, and deciding which option is the right fit for your loved one is the first step towards ensuring they can remain happy, comfortable, and safe as they age.
What is Assisted Living vs. In-Home Care?
Assisted living and in-home care are very different. An assisted living facility is an apartment-style location where your loved one will move in to stay. They will often have access to several services, including meals, socializing, and medication reminders. On the other hand, in-home care can provide similar services in a senior’s home. They can still benefit from having a trained caregiver to support them in a comfortable, familiar setting.
The Pros and Cons of Assisted Living
An assisted living facility can offer a large number of amenities that seniors cannot access at home. Some assisted living facilities provide fitness centers, movie theaters, swimming pools, and group classes. These amenities create wonderful opportunities for seniors to stay active and engaged. An assisted living facility’s most important services, of course, are helping with the essentials such as laundry, meals, bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom. One of the best things about an assisted living facility is the ease of social contact. Seniors can easily spend time with their peers without worrying about arranging transportation. Considering that isolation is a serious problem for seniors, this benefit is undoubtedly compelling.
Of course, as with most services, the quality of assisted living facilities can vary. Some facilities may struggle to maintain enough staff to provide hands-on care to each resident. In some cases, facilities may not be able to offer more than the basics seniors can get at home. In fact, the majority of seniors–about 75 percent–would rather age at home than go to an assisted living facility. Transitioning from a familiar, comfortable location to somewhere new and unfamiliar can be upsetting and disorienting. As a result, some seniors may wish to explore other options–such as in-home care.
The Benefits of In-Home Care
Many seniors want to continue to age in place, and in-home care helps enable that option. Like an assisted living facility, a caregiver helps with all the basics of daily life that seniors can struggle with as time goes on. But in addition to preparing meals and helping with bathing, toileting, and laundry, a caregiver can also help around the house to maintain a senior’s quality of life. They can help care for houseplants, which clean the air and improve mood. A caregiver can also chip in with caring for pets, which can also provide several benefits to a senior’s happiness. Caregivers ensure that a home remains clean and free of any potential safety hazards so that you can rest assured that your loved one won’t be at risk of a fall or other health issues.
Though in-home care can’t offer all the fancy amenities that a high-end assisted living facility offers, they provide companionship and life-enhancing services to seniors who want to remain in the comfort of their homes. The cost of in-home care vs. assisted living care varies by need. However, a good rule of thumb is that if you require 40 hours per week or less of in-home care, the cost will likely be less than assisted living. But cost isn’t the only consideration. Some seniors might prefer spending more money for care if it means they can live at home during their golden years. Fortunately, in-home care agencies such as Generations Home Care can offer a number of flexible options for whatever level of care your loved one needs.
About Generations Home Care
Generations Home Care personalized in-home care and support services help those recovering from illness, injury, or surgery, living with a chronic disease, or dealing with the natural process of aging. We help people live a fuller, healthier, and independent life.
Our caregivers are trained in the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended COVID-19 safety precautions. We offer levels of care ranging from companionship, to respite for the primary family caregiver, to homemaking services, to assistance with activities of daily living, to Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Generations Home Care takes a holistic approach and emphasizes a consistent, client-centered plan of care.
Our Specialty Services Include:
- Rehab or hospital-to-home programs for safe discharge.
- Short-term post-operative care during recovery periods.
- Non-medical life management services for people with chronic conditions.
- Veteran’s connection to care program.
- Live-in services and couples care.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you, contact us today at 602-595-HOME (4663) or by filling out the contact form on our website.
