While it’s important to be present and live in the moment to enjoy the little things in life, it’s equally as important to plan for the future. Envisioning your future may also cause you to think about your loved ones’ futures. For example, who will care for your parents or grandparents if they require special care in the future?
If this question has been on your mind recently, you may have considered investing in assisted living or in-house care.
Before deciding to pay for either one, learning about the differences between assisted living vs. home care is crucial. Comparing each option beforehand will ensure you choose a solution that meets your loved one’s needs and budget.
Older persons who either cannot or prefer not to live independently can opt for assisted living in retirement communities that provide housing and care services to older persons. Residents in these communities receive assistance with daily activities like eating, getting dressed, bathing, and other similar tasks.
While some assisted living communities can help oversee older adults’ health through medication and meal management, they don’t typically provide long-term nursing care. A skilled healthcare professional should handle any health-related matters.
These communities’ support services may include planned social events and activities, housekeeping, laundry, and more.
When thinking about in-home care vs. assisted living, assisted living can benefit older adults in many ways.
For one, assisted living means access to 24/7 care. You can rest assured that your loved one will always be in the care of staff members experienced in ensuring their safety and well-being, no matter the time of night or day.
Another benefit of assisted living is flexibility. Whether you’re looking for long-term or respite care for your loved one, assisted living communities often offer a range of plans that vary in length. Of course, many retirement living residences are often so welcoming that, over time, it can start to feel like home.
After all, retirement residences offer many additional services and amenities designed to keep your loved one engaged and help them lead a happy life, whether that’s transportation to and from appointments or offsite social events, game rooms, gyms, movie theatres, and more.
Lastly, assisted living also provides ample opportunities for socializing. Being housebound can be isolating, significantly impacting a person’s quality of life. In a retirement living community, your loved one will be surrounded by peers and can form fulfilling relationships with fellow residents and staff.
Unlike assisted living, in-home care involves the assistance of older adults who still live at home but require help with their daily routines, with aides providing support for day-to-day activities, transportation, and companionship.
Disabled persons may require more specialized services, which in-home care can cover in addition to household and personal help. Caretakers can tailor the care provided based on individual needs.
Like assisted living, nursing care often isn’t included in this type of service. However, in-home care can provide temporary help when older persons require more intensive care, such as after significant medical procedures like surgery.
In-home care can benefit older persons who prefer living at home and want more one-on-one companionship.
Along with planning activities, caregivers help with housekeeping, meal preparation, bathing, and more. In-home care is often more personalized and easily customizable based on your loved one’s needs and preferences. Aides can establish and prioritize the type of care provided to the person’s lifestyle in their care.
In-home care and assisted living can be incredibly beneficial for older adults who can no longer handle everyday tasks alone. Although both services can improve an older adult’s quality of life, some significant differences exist.
Care for assisted living takes place in retirement residences, where your loved one will always have access to support. They’ll be in the care of professionals trained to meet their needs and surrounded by a community of their peers.
In contrast, in-home care involves assistance at your loved one’s home. This type of care focuses more on one-on-one companionship, with designated caretakers who help with daily tasks.
The cost of assisted living vs. in-home care can also differ significantly.
If your loved one moves into an assisted living community, they or you must cover a monthly rental fee. With that said, the price is heavily influenced by factors like:
Much like assisted living communities, in-home care services range in price, but as they’re often specialized and tailored to specific needs, they’re also usually more expensive. If your loved one needs 40 hours of care per week, they could spend significantly after just one year.
Even if your loved one doesn’t need full-time in-house care, when taking home maintenance and care expenses into account, they’ll likely spend more on in-home care than if they opted for an assisted living community.
Even though both options benefit older adults, different types of people will better suit assisted living communities or in-home care. Here are some factors to consider.
When considering which option is better for your loved one, you may wonder, “Is home health care cheaper than assisted living?” and “Which option is cheaper in the long run?”.
We’ve mentioned that in-home care is, on average, more expensive than assisted living. An assisted living community is often the more cost-effective option if your loved one no longer feels comfortable living at home and needs care around the clock.
Another factor is lifestyle. If your loved one wants to lead an independent lifestyle while receiving non-medical care, they may opt for in-home care.
However, suppose your parent or grandparent no longer feels comfortable completing day-to-day tasks around their home but wants to maintain a social, active lifestyle. In that case, they should consider moving into an assisted living community.
Joining an assisted living community will allow your loved ones to meet new people and participate in fun activities without worrying about household chores.
The best option between in-home care vs. assisted living is the one that meets your loved ones’ needs while working with their available budget.
Remember that choosing between in-home care and assisted living is a very personal choice that requires time. We recommend sitting down with your parents or grandparents and discussing the best option for your circumstances.
If you’re looking for an assisted living community in Ontario or Alberta, consider Seasons Retirement. From preparing well-balanced meals to planning engaging social events, our team works hard to cater to each resident’s needs.
If you have questions about moving your loved one into a retirement community and want to learn more about our pricing options, contact Seasons Retirement today to get started.