Homecare vs Assisted Living: What’s the Difference?
We want to provide the best possible care for our elderly parents and loved ones. But what happens when our care isn’t enough? It’s time to choose an increased level of care for them. Sometimes this can mean assisted living or home care. But what’s the difference? What type of care will best meet the needs of your family member or the patient in need?
Here are some facts, similarities, and differences between home care and assisted living.
Assisted Living
What is assisted living? This refers to a community where your loved one’s needs are completely met by a staff of workers. This is a community in which they would live, and all their needs would ideally be met. Here are some facts about an assisted living community:
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Personal Needs
In an assisted living community, there is a staff to meet the following needs:
1. The Management of Medical Needs
In an assisted living community, medical needs are met. Nurses and technicians are available.
2. Three meals a day
Everything the client needs in nutrients should be provided by the facility.
3. Housekeeping and Laundry
One of the benefits of assisted living is that if something needs cleaning, it can happen right away.
4. Assistance with Daily Activities and Needs
Assisted living can provide more of a day-by-day experience. Throughout each day help is likely available.
5. Social Events
One major benefit of an assisted living facility is the planning of social events and activities.
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Health and Wellness
In an assisted living facility, there is consistent attention paid to general health and wellness. This means that anything that can go wrong will likely be attended to promptly. -
Privacy
Although there is a certain degree of privacy in assisted living situations, unfortunately, privacy isn’t guaranteed in assisted living communities. -
Community
Assisted living facilities can offer a wonderful sense of community and belonging. If you are looking for a place where your loved one can feel included in a group, assisted living can be a great choice. -
Cost
On average, assisted living facilities are around $3,000-6,000 per month. However, something to consider is that many assisted living facilities require a rather large down payment. -
Health Care
Assisted living facilities usually have nurses and nurse practitioners on their staff. They can oversee the administering of medications, physical therapy, hospice care, and more.
Home Care
Home care is a situation in which a qualified caretaker assists a patient in the comfort of their own home. Here are some facts about home care.
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Personal Needs
With Home Care, the care is administered on a one-to-one basis. Hiring someone to help in the home can be a more intimate and detail-oriented process. This means there will be one person who will deal with the following needs.
1. The Management of Medical Needs
With home care, the management of medical needs is handled by one caregiver in the home. This can be a very personalized process.
2. Three meals a day
Any arrangement of meal provision is possible with home care. A menu and schedule can be arranged to best suit the needs of you or your loved one.
3. Housekeeping and Laundry
A home caregiver will readily help with chores around the house like laundry, dishes, and other maintenance.
4. Assistance with Daily Activities and Needs
This can be very customized to fit what you or your loved one needs.
5. Social Events
Social events with care in the home might include playing a board game or watching a movie with the caregiver. Group activities would be more limited.
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Health and Wellness
A home caregiver can focus on the individual needs of the patient. Additionally, a home caregiver can communicate with the doctor and take notes during doctor visits. -
Privacy
When you hire a home caregiver, you are inviting someone into your home, however, you are not opening your life to a large group of people. You can count on your privacy remaining intact when you have just one person in your home. -
Community
Home Care is not a community builder. It is ideal for someone who is simply seeking in-home care. However, one on one socialization can be very beneficial. -
Cost
Though costs may vary, Home Care typically runs between about $3000 and $6000 per month. The costs are not dissimilar to assisted living. -
Health Care
Health care is customizable with home care. The health care you receive will be very specific to your needs. This is particularly appealing to someone who has a complicated healthcare history.
Conclusion
Assisted Living and Home Care are easily distinguishable by your needs, as they are comparably priced. If you are looking for a personalized service in the comfort of your own, meeting your specific needs, Home Care is likely for you. If you are seeking more of a community, looking for a staff of caregivers, and don’t mind leaving your home, then Assisted Living may be the answer. Whatever you choose for yourself or your loved one, you want to make sure it’s the best possible fit. Securing reliable care is going to bring both you and your loved one comfort and safety, and this is the most important priority.
Bright Star Care Ohio
When you are ready to find the best in-home care for yourself or your beloved family member or loved one, Bright Star Care is the best choice. In the Cincinnati/Springdale area, Bright Star Care provides the most qualified caregivers who have the best training and education. We employ only the most caring and compassionate staff so that you can have peace of mind, knowing that your loved one is in the best situation possible. For more information, visit our website. If you’d prefer, you can give us a call at (513) 321-4688.