Assisted Living Vs Home Care: What Service Is Best?

It can be a challenging realization when someone you love starts to struggle with everyday tasks. This is a normal part of aging, and it could be a sign that your family member could use extra help to get through their day. At this point of your loved one’s journey, it may be time to consider professional care, like an assisted living community. But if your loved one wishes to receive assistance from the comfort of home, surrounded by close family and friends, or they’re just not ready to make the move yet, home care can be a great alternative.

While both care options specifically cater to the needs of seniors, understanding the key differences between the two can help you choose the option that best fits your family member’s unique needs. Here’s what you need to know about assisted living vs home care, and how to choose the right option for your specific needs and situation.

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living communities provide a safe and comfortable environment for seniors who need some help to get through their day. If a loved one is struggling with meal preparation or maintaining good hygiene, assisted living can be worth considering.

While some communities may offer medical services when needed, most residents in assisted living usually have non-medical needs like housekeeping, meal preparation, dining assistance and emotional support. In addition to assistance with daily activities, residents in assisted living communities typically have access to shared amenities, such as restaurant-style dining, fitness centers, libraries and theaters, along with plenty of fun social activities to enjoy.

What Is Home Care?

Home care offers a practical option for individuals who wish to remain in their home while they receive help with specific tasks, like cooking, cleaning and bathing. In some cases, professionally trained caregivers may provide companionship, in addition to personal care, to help seniors make the most of each day. While home care can make life easier and more comfortable for seniors who want to keep their routines and stay connected with friends and family, it’s important to note that you may need to make some changes to your loved one’s living space to ensure they can live safely at home.

Benefits Of Assisted Living

As our loved ones age, their needs can change, and it can become challenging for them to manage everyday tasks on their own or live safely at home. Assisted living can provide the support your family member needs while allowing them to retain their independence. Here are some key benefits of assisted living:

Independence: Typically, residents in assisted living maintain an independent schedule while having 24/7 access to assistance if needed. This allows them to continue doing the things they love, knowing that help is always available.
Social opportunities: Studies suggest that loneliness can be a real concern for older adults. Most assisted living communities offer plenty of opportunities for social interaction to help keep residents engaged and connected.
Healthy dining options: Residents typically enjoy a wide variety of tasty and nutritious dining options prepared by professional chefs to ensure they get the nutrition they need to stay healthy.
Housekeeping and maintenance: Chores like cleaning and maintenance are taken care of in assisted living, allowing your loved one to focus on activities that bring them joy.
Personal care services: Residents receive assistance with personal care, such as bathing, dressing and medication management.
Access to health care: While most assisted living communities are designed for individuals with non-medical needs, many assisted living communities provide access to on-site health care services when needed.
Engaging activities: From low-impact exercises to fulfilling arts and crafts, most assisted living communities feature a fun-filled activity calendar to keep residents mentally and physically active.

Benefits Of Home Care

Home care offers many advantages for seniors who wish to stay in their own homes while receiving the assistance they need. Here are some key benefits of home care:

Comfort of home: Staying in a familiar environment can be truly comforting for some seniors. If your loved one wishes to receive assistance while remaining in the place they know and love, home care may be worth considering.
Personalized care: Home care plans can be tailored to your family member’s specific needs, ensuring they receive the right level of support.
Companionship: In addition to assistance with personal care, caregivers may offer companionship to help reduce feelings of loneliness and improve overall well-being.
Safety: Home care services often include safety modifications to help seniors age in place safely.
Cost-effective: Home care provides the necessary support without the added costs of residential housing, making it more cost-effective than other forms of care, such as nursing homes.

Partnering With CorsoCare To Serve Seniors

CorsoCare, a preferred third-party provider of StoryPoint Group, offers seniors more than high-quality care services — seniors also gain a dedicated partner in their health journey.

Whether seniors need expert medical support at home, compassionate end-of-life care, or assistance with daily activities, CorsoCare provides personalized, compassionate care to enhance the quality of life at every stage.

Click here for additional resources and to learn more about CorsoCare.

Similarities Between Assisted Living And Home Care

Assisted living and home care both offer valuable support to seniors, helping them live more comfortably. Here are some key similarities between the two:

Personalized care: Both assisted living and home care provide personalized care to address specific requirements.
Professional assistance: In both settings, care is provided by professionally trained employees to help ensure seniors receive the right level of assistance.
Focus on independence: Assisted living and home care both aim to help seniors maintain their daily routines as independently as possible.
Medication management: Both options typically include medication management to help seniors take their medications correctly and on time, which is crucial for their health and well-being.
Enhanced quality of life: The ultimate goal of both assisted living and home care is to enhance the quality of life for seniors. They offer the necessary support and care, allowing seniors to live more comfortably and happily.

Differences Between Assisted Living And Home Care

When comparing assisted living vs home care, it can be useful to clearly understand what each option offers. While both assisted living and home care provide valuable support for seniors, they differ in several key ways. Here are some important differences between assisted living and home care:

Living environment: In assisted living communities, seniors typically live in private apartments specifically designed for their needs. In contrast, home care allows seniors to live in their own homes, with professionally trained caregivers coming in to provide support as needed.
Cost structure: Assisted living usually involves a monthly fee that covers accommodations, meals and care services. In contrast, home care costs are generally based on the number of hours of care needed, which can vary depending on your loved one’s specific needs and situation.
Employee availability: Most assisted living communities have employees on-site 24/7 to provide immediate assistance if needed. Unlike assisted living, home care typically offers scheduled visits from caregivers, and the level of availability can be adjusted based on your family member’s needs.
Personalization of care: Home care provides highly personalized, one-on-one care tailored to the resident’s needs, often from a single caregiver. Assisted living offers personalized care, but within a more structured environment with multiple caregivers involved.
Activities and engagement: Most assisted living communities provide a wide range of enjoyable activities and programs designed to keep residents engaged and active. In contrast, home care options may include some activities, but they are generally more self-directed and less structured.

Cost Breakdown Of Assisted Living And Home Care

Finding the right care option for your loved one can be a challenging decision, and it’s important to consider both their needs and your budget. Understanding the cost of assisted living vs in home care can help you make an informed decision. Let’s take a closer look at how these two options compare in terms of expenses, so you can find the best fit for your loved one’s unique needs and budget.

According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the national median monthly cost of assisted living in the U.S. is around $4,500. However, costs can range between $3,000 to $7,000 depending on several key factors, such as the community’s geographical location, level of care needed and amenities provided. This monthly fee usually covers housing, meals and snacks and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs).

On the other hand, the national median cost of home health care is around $24 per hour depending on where you live and what your family member needs. This usually covers personal care like help with bathing and dressing, as well as companionship and light housekeeping. However, it doesn’t include housing or full-time care for seniors who need around-the-clock assistance.

Learn How Much Senior Living Costs Near You

Senior living communities provide a comfortable and supportive environment for older adults. While it’s hard to put a value on your loved one’s care, it can be useful to understand how much senior living costs. Our cost calculator helps you get a clearer picture of what to expect financially and find the option that best fits your specific situation and budget.

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Senior Living Compared To Staying In Place

We created this senior living calculator to help you determine the costs of senior living compared to remaining in place.

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Independent Living: For independent seniors who want to maintain an active lifestyle while downsizing their daily living responsibilities.

Assisted Living: Provides daily support for seniors who need help with tasks such as medication management, bathing and dressing.

Memory Care: Specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer's disease, dementia or other memory impairments.

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