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Assisted Living vs. Home Care: Understanding the Right Fit

10/04/2024
Dancing senior active people and care assistant in retirement home

Assisted living offers housing accommodations that include personal care, meals, community events, communal spaces, and more for seniors and patients.

Home care involves bringing personal care and company directly to the senior or patient’s home.

Determining which option is best for you or your loved one requires an understanding of the costs associated with each and the person’s specific needs and situation.

While making such a decision, it is helpful to ask yourself these questions.

  1. Do you or your loved one prefer to live at home?
  2. How many hours of care and what type of care do you or your loved one require (medical care, memory care, etc.)
  3. Besides personal care, would you or your loved one benefit from full-service dining, community events, communal spaces, and other amenities?
  4. How much can you or your loved one afford in monthly costs?
  5. Is home ownership and maintenance a major burden?

Cost of Assisted Living vs In-Home Care

The cost of assisted living is typically higher than that of in-home care because assisted living includes so much more. Even then, however, home care costs versus the cost of assisted living can vary depending on the level of care, location, and other factors.

When family members are deciding between home health care vs assisted living, it’s important to compare the cost breakdown and how much they can realistically pay.

In terms of personal care home vs assisted living, if you or your loved one requires more than five hours of care per day, assisted living may be the better financial choice.

If you or your loved one already had thoughts of decluttering and downsizing, it may be worthwhile to consider moving into an assisted living community instead. Many of them feature private, fully furnished apartments that seniors or older adults can immediately move into.

Benefits of In-Home Care vs Assisted Living

Senior couple, portrait smile and nurse for healthcare, medical support and retirement in nursing home.

Assisted living communities provide active older adults assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and using the restroom, and help with medication management. They also promote a great quality of life by presenting a built-in supportive community for residents to rely on.

Assisted living residents do not need a specific health condition to qualify. They simply are seniors who would benefit from staff members who are always ready to tend to their everyday needs for around-the-clock care.

On the other hand, seniors or patients can request an in-home caregiver from a home care agency to provide 24/7 care and regular companionship full time. They can either reside with you or your loved one or visit the house on a consistent basis. Benefits include staying in a familiar environment and one-on-one attention.

Social isolation and depression have dangerous effects on seniors as they age. Moving into a built-in supportive community of people who understand the challenges that come with aging can ease the hardship that comes with the realities of getting older.

Making social connections with peers can also be very beneficial. In an assisted living community, residents can look forward to restaurant-style dining and monthly activity calendars that include fun, engaging activities.

Hanging out in common areas is another great way for residents to gather and mingle. In doing so, residents have a constant reminder that they are never alone in their struggles.

Make Friends at Chelsea Senior Living

At Chelsea Senior Living, we welcome everyone with open arms.

We aim to make the lives of seniors easier and more comfortable in every way, creating a nurturing and supportive environment for seniors across several communities in New York and New Jersey.

Our assisted living and memory care communities are designed with the unique needs and preferences of our residents in mind. Located amid vibrant surroundings, our communities offer a blend of personalized care, engaging social activities, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Chelsea Senior Living is a place where families find peace of mind and where seniors lead fulfilling, enriched lives. We can’t wait to meet you and give you a tour of everything our campus has to offer.