Assisted Living or Home Care: Understanding the Key Differences

Aging can bring health issues and increase the dependability of an individual on family members. While some seniors are able to cope up with health challenges on their own, others with chronic problems such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer's and other diseases need more attention. If a senior in the family is no longer able to perform basic chores, it could be time to look for some external support. When it comes to deciding between home care and assisted living, many families are often unsure of the right option because of lack of understanding of the differences between the two. To help you in making the right decision for your loved family member, we give a brief overview of home care and assisted living in the blog post.

Defining Assisted Living and Home Care

In assisted living, the senior lives in the community and can participate in social circles and various community activities to develop a routine. Some assisted living communities also provide laundry, transportation, housekeeping and other medical services to seniors. They basically help residents in staying active and safe.

In home care, the senior lives in their house and receives a professional care. A home care assistance is for individuals who want more privacy and do not want to be around strangers.

Cost of Home Care and Assisted Living

The average cost of assisted living on a monthly basis is roughly around $3,600. The amount varies between $2,500 to $6,000 depending on the location of the assisted living facility.

Home care is calculated on an hourly basis, and average cost could come to $13/hour in less expensive states such as those in Southeastern areas. The cost could be as high as $30/hour in Alaska.

Pros and Cons of Home Care and Assisted Living

The 24-hour support and supervision are the two main advantages of assisted living. It could be a perfect home for seniors who love to socialize. As most assisted living facilities have fitness programs, housekeeping, laundry and meal provisions, seniors enjoy a stress-free life. If the senior person has a chronic health problem and isn’t able to do basic core on their own, an assisted living facility could add to distress.

The biggest advantage of home care is that the senior can stay with the family in a comfortable environment. There is always someone watching the routine of senior and family members are present in case of a medical emergency. One of the main drawbacks of home care is that the presence of a caregiver could be intrusive for family members. A higher price could be another disadvantage of home care.

Final Words

Deciding between home care and assisted living is not easy for the family. Consider the health condition and analyze the pros and cons of both the options to provide a comfortable life to your loved one. If required, you may speak with a family doctor so that you don’t make a wrong choice for the elderly person.