Assisted Living vs. In-Home Care for Seniors: Making the Right Choice for Your Loved One in 2024
When it comes to living options for your loved one, it is important to consider their needs, abilities, and current lifestyle. The new year is the perfect time to evaluate and figure out if your loved one’s current living situation is meeting their needs and helping them live their best life possible. Keep reading for tips on how to determine which option is best for them, as well as the difference between the two.
What is In-Home Care for Seniors?
Home care allows older adults to stay home while still receiving the care they need. For seniors who might be living with chronic health issues, are recovering from a medical issue, or have some other kind of disability, in-home care can help them avoid hospitalization and allow healing in the comfort of their home.
What is Assisted Living for Seniors?
Assisted living is for older adults who may need some assistance with everyday tasks such as bathing, getting dressed, mobility when it comes to moving from one destination to another, or getting out of bed. People who choose assisted living may need some type of senior care, such as managing their medications, but they’re otherwise able to live independently. They receive personalized care and support and enjoy services like housekeeping and laundry, but they’re also free to enjoy amenities like dining, activities, and events.
Should You Choose In-Home Care or Assisted Living?
Choosing which living option is right for your loved one will depend on what their needs, abilities, and what level of assistance they need. Both in-home care and assisted living have their benefits, so it’s important to weigh your options and pick the environment that will improve your loved one’s quality of life.
Here are a few factors to consider when making the decision:
What are your loved one’s needs and preferences?
A few things to think about here are whether you live close to them, how much support they need, if they have any serious medical conditions, and what their financial situation looks like.
What level of medical care does your loved one need?
Depending on if your loved one has a chronic medical condition, it’s important to think about how you’ll handle these issues in the future. In-home care might work for a while, but if their condition worsens, assisted living could become a better and safer option.
What is your/their financial situation?
Assisted living can be expensive, but so can in-home care. Depending on what state you live in, the hourly charge of a caregiver can get up to $37 an hour. Here are some budget considerations to keep in mind:
💵 How many hours a week will you need a caregiver?
💵 Will you use a private caregiver or an agency?
💵 Consider that an in-home caregiver is hourly, while an assisted living home has multiple services for an inclusive cost
Consider the Advantages of Assisted Living
In-home care can be a great temporary option, but make sure you consider the benefits of an assisted living community. For seniors, assisted living offers 24/7 care by medical professionals, meals, socialization, and can take away the burden of home ownership.
Here are some other benefits of assisted living:
Engage With Other Residents
Older adults who live in assisted living can be more social and engage with other seniors, which is great for mental health. In fact, according to Harvard Health, broader social interaction can keep older adults more active and prevent depression. A study found that “older adults who interacted with people beyond their usual social circle of family and close friends were more likely to have higher levels of physical activity, greater positive moods, and fewer negative feelings.”
Daily Programs and Opportunities for Activity
In an assisted living community, seniors can take advantage of outings, social events, and classes. This gives them more opportunities to be social, which is hugely beneficial for their health and wellness.
Take Advantage of Amenities
In an assisted living community, seniors can take advantage of experienced concierge and housekeeping staff, professionally designed social, dining, and community areas, convenient onsite parking, a full-service salon, and much more.
Being Able to Age in Place in an Accommodating Community
For older adults living in assisted living, there is a chance health and daily needs will increase. In this situation, no huge life change is required to get the care they need, whereas if they are living alone and require additional accommodations, they might have to move or hire outside care. In assisted living, residents get 24/7 care from experienced team members.
The Aspenwood Company Can Help Seniors Live Life Well®
When it comes to your living situation, it is important to choose a community that will provide you with a rich and vibrant life.
Our communities are the standard of luxurious living for mature adults. You will find our properties in the most sought-after locations, in the middle of culture and activity, where a vibrant lifestyle surrounds you. We’ve spent 25 years fine-tuning every detail of luxurious living so that our residents enjoy a new sense of freedom and fulfillment.
There’s luxury, and then there is Aspenwood luxury.
In order to become a member of an Aspenwood luxury community, mature adults will face some hard, but important decisions. Be assured that our team is trustworthy and compassionate, and ready to serve you. We are here to provide encouragement, support, and helpful information.
You have the opportunity to pursue and experience freedom like never before. It’s time to experience the laughter, the energy, the activity, the friendly faces, and the caring people of The Aspenwood Company. It’s time to Live Life Well®.