Those who are considering relocation into a retirement community might be confused about the different living options available, especially when it comes to assisted living vs in-home care. Below is a guide that highlights the differences between the two, so you can decide which is best for you.
Assisted Living
In an assisted living community, residents will receive support 24 hours a day. This includes assistance with eating, dressing, bathing, and taking medication. However, residents will still have personal autonomy and can decide their preferred schedule for engaging in the activities they enjoy.
Assisted living is recommended for retirees who are mobility challenged, recovering from surgery, or who suffer from a disease such as dementia. Most services will be performed on their behalf including transportation where they will be taken to doctor’s offices for appointments. Some communities will also collaborate with nearby physicians to offer clinical hours onsite. This alleviates the stress of having to travel, and assisted communities will also provide more extensive support like skilled nursing, memory care, and help to those suffering from Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s.
Security and safety are paramount for both assisted living and in-home care, but more so for assisted living. For instance, in most assisted living communities residents will have access to ramps; grab bars within the restrooms and handrails which will minimize the likelihood of slips and falls. Their dwellings are also equipped with emergency call equipment, surveillance cameras are situated in public areas, and the community has a full-time security team that is available 24 hours a day.
In-Home Care
With in-home care, your loved ones will get care for the time which is paid for, which can range from several hours daily to several days each week. The recipient will be dependent on whatever schedule the caregiver has. Support will only be made available during this time, which means that if an emergency ensues outside support hours, the patient will have to depend on friends or family members to transport them to a clinic or hospital.
In-home care is less comprehensive than assisted living and is only recommended for retirees that are relatively healthy and free of significant health problems. While this option provides maximum autonomy and will allow the elderly to remain in their home, there is no security team onsite and it is unlikely that their property provides the same safeguards as an assisted living community. Furthermore, if an emergency occurs, it can be difficult for help to arrive on time, especially if the elder lives alone.
The one advantage of in-home care is that it tends to be cost-effective if the patient is living in a home that they own free and clear. If they are renting an apartment, depending on how much they’re paying monthly, it might be better to simply relocate into an assisted living community. Although they will also pay monthly fees, the services they receive will be all-inclusive, including care, meals, and accommodations. They will also get the opportunity to socialize with others of the same age group.
