When your loved one needs extra care or support, you can help them choose the option that’s safest and most comfortable for them. Assisted living and home care can both be excellent options, but they meet different needs. The best care for your family member depends on the types of activities they need help with, where they feel safest and most comfortable, and the level of socialization they desire.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living care provides private rooms or apartments within a care facility. Individuals in assisted living typically receive the following types of care and support:
- Help with personal care such as bathing, general hygiene, and dressing
- Assistance with eating if necessary
- Community meals and activities with other residents in the same facility
- Access to medication reminders and 24-hour supervision
- Maintenance, laundry, and housekeeping
- Transportation services for appointments, shopping, and community events
What Is Home Care?
Home care lets your loved one receive support in the comfort of their own home. It involves daily, ongoing personal care and companionship. If this sounds like a good option for your loved one, you can choose between the following types of home care:
Skilled Home Care
Skilled home care focuses on doctor-ordered medical care from licensed professionals such as nurses. It typically serves a specific health need, such as a temporary recovery period from an injury or illness. Skilled home care may involve physical or occupational therapy services.
Private Duty Home Care
Private duty home care provides nonmedical assistance for individuals. It focuses on daily living needs such as:
- Light housekeeping
- Meal preparation
- Medication reminders
- Supervision
- Companionship
Private duty home care caregivers may also be trained on how to use equipment like catheters.
What Are the Main Differences Between Assisted Living and Home Care?
Assisted living and home care differ in the following ways:
1. Location of Care
The main difference between these two care models is location. Your loved one can continue living in their own home if they receive home care, which may be the most familiar and comfortable setting for them. If your loved one enters assisted living, they move into a new, private apartment or room.
Both options can provide your loved one with a sense of safety, security, and comfort, but the best solution depends on their unique needs and preferences.
2. Services Provided
Home care provides personalized assistance with daily living activities. A home care caregiver might prepare meals for your loved one, help them get dressed, complete household chores, or help them run errands. They also provide one-on-one companionship, engaging your loved one in conversation, activities, or hobbies.
Assisted living provides comprehensive support that is less one-on-one focused. Rather than one or two caregivers, your loved one receives care from a team of nurses, nursing assistants, and activity coordinators. Caregivers may help with getting ready in the morning, managing medication, and ensuring your loved one receives prepared meals or attends community meals within the facility.
3. Level of Independence
Home care lets your loved one remain independent for longer. They can stay in their own home, set a daily schedule that works best for them, and continue participating in the activities and hobbies that are important to them.
Assisted living is a more structured environment where your loved one has a little less control over their environment and shares some of their living spaces. It offers more community through planned group activities and events with other residents.
4. Cost of Services
Costs vary depending on the home care provider or assisted living facility you choose for your loved one. Home care costs are typically based on hourly rates, so the total cost depends on how much time your loved one requires care. The cost of assisted living is a monthly fee that covers housing, services, meals, and community amenities.
Home care typically has a lower cost than assisted living because you can opt for flexible hours that fit your loved one’s budget. However, home care costs can be higher if your loved one needs 24/7 care.
How Do I Know Which Option Is Right for My Loved One?
Discussing the following factors with your loved one can help you determine if assisted living or home care is best for them:
- Standard of care: Does your loved one need help with basic daily activities and household chores, or do they require more comprehensive care? Help them create a list of activities they feel safe and comfortable doing on their own and activities they need a little extra help with.
- Desire and need for social interaction: Does your family member express feelings of loneliness, or do they have friends and family they enjoy visiting in the neighborhood? Assisted living can help them connect with others if they feel isolated, but home care may be the best option if they already have social connections they enjoy.
- Home safety: How safe and accessible is your loved one’s home? Home care is an excellent option if they can move around and use the home safely and easily. If there are challenge areas, you may need to make some home modifications — such as grab bars, raised toilet seats, nonslip mats, and ramps — or consider assisted living as an alternative.
- Personal preferences: How does your loved one feel about living independently or sharing living spaces with others? Assure them that you care about their feelings and want to help them make the best, safest decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some questions families often ask when considering the right option for their loved one.
Is Home Care More Expensive Than Assisted Living?
Home care typically costs less than assisted living, but the total amount depends on how many hours your loved one needs a caregiver. It is possible for home care to cost more than assisted living if your loved one requires 24/7 support. The best way to determine total costs is to talk to a home care agency and an assisted living facility’s care coordinators. They can help you make the best decision based on your budget.
What’s the Difference Between Assisted Living and Independent Retirement Living?
Assisted living offers care inside a facility, while independent living provides a private home within a retirement community. Independent living is best for older adults who want to continue living in a community with amenities and socialization opportunities but don’t require active assistance. These places provide housing, maintenance, lawn care, and snow removal so your loved one doesn’t have to worry about physically demanding tasks.
What Is the Difference Between Assisted Living and Memory Care?
While assisted living offers continuous care, memory care provides more specialized around-the-clock supervision. Caregivers on memory care units have special training and experience caring for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Some assisted living facilities may have memory care units.
How Is Assisted Living Different From Nursing Homes?
A nursing home offers more intensive care and 24/7 monitoring in a clinical setting. Rather than the private apartments found in assisted living facilities, nursing homes feature shared clinical rooms where residents receive support.
How Can Relevar Home Care Support Your Loved One’s Needs?
Choosing between assisted living and home care is a big step for your family, but considering your loved one’s needs and feelings can help you find the perfect solution. If you feel that home care is the best option, Relevar Home Care is ready to provide your loved one with the support, care, and companionship they need.
We offer private duty home care to help your loved one continue their daily living activities at home, where they feel most comfortable. Our compassionate caregivers provide exceptional, high-quality care so your loved one can age in place with confidence. Contact us to learn more about our services and schedule care.
