Assisted Living vs. In-Home Care for Seniors

Choosing the best type of living situation for your loved one is a decision that should involve both parties, if possible. Talk with your loved one about how they prefer to live, either in their home or at an assisted living home with other people. Consider any medical treatment they need and how much help they need on a day to day basis, if they have a cognitive impairment, and if they have enough mobility to live on their own or not. Think about the costs of each arrangement and thoroughly investigate the staff that will be taking care of your loved one. Look for reviews and comments from other people who have used these services. Making an informed decision that is the best for both parties is important to prevent any unfortunate elderly abuse or accidents.

What is assisted living?

Assisted living homes are best for elderly people who require very little senior care on a daily basis. These homes offer residents with some medical care and attention but it’s not full time. If you or your loved one uses a wheelchair or has a behavioral or cognitive impairment, an assisted living arrangement won’t satisfy their need of specialized care, at home care may be better suited for these cases. Personnel in assisted living homes help seniors with daily tasks but they don’t provide daily medical assistance like a nursing home or at home care do.

What is in-home senior care?

In-home senior care is performed by a nurse or a specialist who will take care of the elderly person in their home. This allows seniors to age in the comfort of their own house. In many instances, in-home care personnel assist with the senior’s medical care and also offer companionship, supervision, help with light housekeeping, laundry, running errands and grocery shopping, bathing, dressing, assistance using the toilet, and other needs the patient may need. In-home care of a senior can also be performed by a family member or someone close to them moving into their home or vice versa. The caretaker should be a person that the senior is trusts and is comfortable with and that has the expertise to provide the care that the individual needs.

Advantages of Assisted Living

Assisted living offers seniors the opportunity of being a part of a community, they get to meet new people and participate in different daily activities with them. This arrangement also helps seniors develop a daily routine that keeps them organized and can help with memory loss. Socializing and being active around more people helps with depression seniors often suffer when being isolated.

Disadvantages of Assisted Living

Assisted living has many benefits for a senior, however there are some disadvantages to this type of elderly care. Assisted living homes have a high staff rotation, and the quality of care can vary depending on the specialist. Some seniors may not be comfortable living with strangers, which is another aspect that should be considered with assisted living arrangements. Assisted living facilities are only regulated by the state and variation among jurisdictions can be significant, make sure you check your state’s laws regarding nursing facilities and they’re requirements.

In-Home Care Advantages

Seniors being cared of in their own home offers them the security of staying in an environment that they know and are comfortable in. This arrangement also provided them with care in a more private setting, rather than in a nursing home or an assisted living facility where they would live with other elderly people. This care arrangement also provides them with medical attention and personalized supervision 24 hours a day, something that could be better for a senior with a serious illness.

In-home Care Disadvantages

Elderly people living alone in their own homes can lead to depression, living in an isolated place with not much human interaction can make them feel lonely. 24 hour in-home care can be expensive, depending on the specialist’s expertise and experience. A home may have to be adapted to fit a wheelchair through tight spaces like doors, hallways, bathrooms and showers. Specialized equipment like reclinable beds and mattresses, wheelchairs, and other items may have to be purchased for the senior’s comfort. If the caretaker will live with them, they will also need a room or space to sleep, this could be another addition to the total cost if the house doesn’t have enough space to accommodate them.

The ultimate decision should be made thinking of what is best for the senior’s health and comfort and what they or the family are able to afford. Talk with your loved one about what arrangement will make them happier and inform yourself about the safety and expertise of the personnel that will be caring for them.