Home Care or Assisted Living? Making the Right Choice

Today’s older adults have a variety of options in order to get the support they need to stay safe, healthy, and comfortable. Having multiple options is great news, especially since only decades ago seniors only had two main choices to get support: a nursing home or family caregivers. However, the abundance of senior support solutions can make knowing which one is right for your loved one more difficult. You might feel confused, overwhelmed, or even frustrated.

Perhaps two of the most common senior solutions are home care and assisted living. Many families struggle with determining which is better for their loved ones. While both assisted living and home care are viable solutions, here are a few differentiating factors that could help you make the best decision for your situation.

How Much Care Does My Loved One Need?

Assisted living communities offer residents around-the-clock caregiver assistance. If your loved one is unsafe at home at all hours of the day, you might think that assisted living is the best choice. However, many seniors do not need around-the-clock care. Instead, they just need extra assistance during specific times of the day, such as when getting up and ready for the day, mealtimes, and preparing to go to bed.

Home care caregivers are available to assist during scheduled times, when the senior really needs it. If your loved one does need around-the-clock care, home care services can be scheduled for 24 hours per day.

Does My Loved One Feel Most Comfortable at Home?

Moving to an assisted living community is a big decision, and it requires the senior to leave their current home and adjust to a new apartment. Between the downsizing and garage sales, moving preparations, and general stress, it is no wonder that seniors who move are at an increased risk of elder transfer trauma. Sometimes referred to as relocation stress syndrome, this phenomenon happens when a senior moves to a new setting and can be characterized by increased anxiety or depression, as well as feeling stressed out about settling into their new home and routine.

Fortunately, home care provides a solution to transfer trauma by eliminating it altogether. With the right home care services, seniors can stay at their chosen home for longer while remaining healthy and safe.

What Is My Budget?

Senior support services cost money, and you must consider your loved one’s budget when deciding which option is best for them. Assisted living communities typically charge a monthly fee running from $3,000 to $4.500. If that is not a realistic number to add to your loved one’s financial plans, home care could offer a viable solution. Home care services are charged on an hourly basis and you can work with the agency to choose a set amount of hours that would give your loved one the support they need without compromising their financial goals.

Can I Have Both?

Many times, assisted living communities have specific requirements that residents must meet in order to remain living there. Residents with higher care needs might have to pay more per month or even transfer to a skilled nursing facility. Fortunately, home care services can be brought into the senior’s assisted living apartment. This allows the senior to stay in the assisted living apartment they love while receiving the extra support they need.

Is assisted living or home care right for you? It’s a tough decision, but we can help guide you through it. Call our experienced team to tell us more about your situation and see if there is a way to provide your loved one with the support they need at the home of their choice. 

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