When the time comes in life that you — or your aging parents — could use a little help with the activities of daily living, you have options. It can help to understand the difference of assisted living vs. home care to determine the best fit for your personal situation.
Getting extra care provides an opportunity to maximize the enjoyment of each day.
Assisted living(Opens in a new window) and home care(Opens in a new window) are set up to essentially meet the same needs for:
- Companionship
- Safety
- Assistance with personal care
- Help with medications
- Independence
Let's talk about assisted living vs. home care.
What Is Home Care?
In-home care is when a trained professional visits your home to assist with a variety of needs, including companionship, meal prep, transportation, medications or personal care.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living provides dedicated housing units set up for people who no longer want, or perhaps are no longer able, to live alone. The community provides 24/7 assistance with meals, medications and personal care. It also offers social activities and other concierge services.
4 Differences Between Home Care and Assisted Living — How to Choose What's Best for You
1. The Degree of Change Involved
In-home care allows you or your loved one to maintain a home and lifestyle that's familiar. Highly trained in-home care professionals can come to the house and help you get dressed in the morning, set out breakfast and spend some one-on-one time with you. You can continue your regular routine in the place you feel most comfortable.
Assisted living communities allow you to move to a new home set up with 24/7 care, amenities and conveniences. This is a chance to set up housekeeping in a new environment and downsize to the belongings you truly value. Assisted living communities can vary from apartment-style living with more than 300 suites to small, home-like communities of 25 people or fewer. Assisted living can provide an exciting new lifestyle either in a new community or surrounded by familiar friends.
When considering what's best, ask yourself whether you're attached to your current home or if you'd like to try new things.
2. The Amount of Socialization
The National Institute on Aging reports that growing numbers of seniors are experiencing social isolation and loneliness(Opens in a new window). In-home care can provide regular contact and conversations with a friendly, compassionate care provider. Angela Gray, MBA, BSN, RN, CNML emphasizes the value of relationships in meeting the client's needs.
"Our caregivers see their clients not as a job but as a person who is a grandparent, a spouse and a friend. The caregivers show up not only to meet the client's needs but also to hear their story, their history and their goals. This personal connection makes a world of difference between feeling isolated and feeling seen and valued."
In-home care can also offer help with:
- Getting to a favorite social event
- Going out for walks
- Shopping
- Writing letters or setting up video chats
Assisted living also offers opportunities for socialization in a community of people you can relate to. Plus, on-site staff are available 24/7 if a concern comes up.
When considering assisted living, it's important to ask:
- Do I — or my loved one — enjoy meeting new people and trying new activities?
- Would I prefer to stay at home and visit in a quieter setting?
3. The Amount of Support
Both in-home care and assisted living can help ease burdens — for you and family caregivers.
In-home care allows you to choose the level of support(Opens in a new window) you need. As a family caregiver, you might like someone to check on your mom a couple of times a week. Or you might be looking for a daily visit for personal care and meal preparation. In-home care offers the flexibility to choose the amount of care you need now, while also having options for more (or less) care in the future.
Assisted living offers more of a full package deal(Opens in a new window). You — or your loved one — gets access to round-the-clock security and on-site staff, meals, activities and possibly transportation. Assisted living communities give you the peace of mind that comes with being surrounded by people.
Consider these questions as you weigh your decision:
- What level of family and friend support do you — or your loved one — have?
- Would there be benefit from having others around regularly?
4. The Home Maintenance Factor
Keeping up a home can be a challenge. Lawn care, snow removal, home repairs, cleaning, grocery shopping, clearing gutters — the list is endless.
In-home care can offer support with light housekeeping, laundry, meal planning, shopping and cooking. The responsibility of home upkeep and maintenance is separate from home care, however. Professional in-home care workers can provide a safety assessment of the home and make recommendations.
Assisted living communities are designed for safety, security and aging in place. Grab bars are already installed in bathrooms; hallways are built for walkers and wheelchairs. Lawn maintenance, snow removal and home upkeep are no longer a concern.
Think about these questions as you decide a path forward:
- What regular tasks need to be done at my — or my loved one's — home?
- Do I have time and energy to manage the home? Is the home set up for aging in place?
Comparing Assisted Living vs. Home Care Costs
The cost of assisted living vs. home care can vary greatly depending on your situation, needs and insurance provider.
In-home care can range from a few hours a month to around-the-clock care. Figuring out the level of care and payment options can feel overwhelming. You may want to ask an in-home care expert(Opens in a new window) to walk you through it.
Assisted living costs are affected by the type of community, suite, services provided and location. Costs such as meals, activities, programs and utility bills are usually included in the monthly rent. Expenses such as personal care, medication and personal supplies are your own responsibility. Specific assisted living communities should be able to provide you with a breakdown of costs for that community.
One of the major variables in cost and availability of home care and assisted living is your location. Choices and prices vary depending on your state, town or city.
Some questions to ask include:
- What resources do I — my loved one — have available to pay for care?
- Is there retirement savings, investments, Veterans Affairs Aid or insurance?
- Would Medicare or Medicaid cover any of the costs?
Making the Right Choice for Your Unique Situation
Home care and assisted living have distinct differences. What's right for one person isn't necessarily right for another. As you decide what's best for you or an aging parent, it's important to consider factors including your budget, how much and what type of care is needed, how open you are to change, how much socialization you need, whether you're up to caring for your own home and how much support family and friends can provide,
You don't have to face this decision alone. You can talk with your healthcare provider or speak with a BrightStar Care representative(Opens in a new window) for more information.
BrightStar Care® Can Help You Make a Plan
BrightStar Care® caregivers can help you or your loved one as you gather information. Whether you're looking for in-home care(Opens in a new window) services or assisted living(Opens in a new window) — or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location(Opens in a new window) near you, contact us(Opens in a new window) online or call (866) 618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care® offers A Higher Standard®.