Have you found that it has become increasingly more difficult for your compromised loved one to be at home alone or that their safety has become an issue? Maybe now is the time to consider home care or even assisted living placement. First, I will give you a brief overview of both home care and assisted living. Then I will discuss 4 main differences between these two.
Home care is when a caregiver is hired to come into the home to help your loved one with activities of daily living (ADLs). This enables them to continue living at home safely with care as needed.
An assisted living community or an adult care home is a place where many seniors live, in rooms or small apartments. Most communities offer a wide range of care options, from seniors who are mostly independent to those who need a higher level of care. An adult care home is typically a smaller, more quaint setting with 24-hour supervision to assist residents with all ADLs. But with either a large facility or a smaller care home, meals, transportation, group activities and housekeeping are typically included in the monthly fee.
Here are four of the main differences between home care services and assisted living in Phoenix & Tucson, Arizona that can help you decide which one is best for your loved one:
4 Unique Differences Between Home Care & Assisted Living in Phoenix & Tucson, Arizona
1.The Setting: With in-home care, a professional caregiver will come directly to your loved one so they will be able to remain in the comfort of their own home. The issue to consider with home care is social isolation, which could contribute to depression, cognitive decline or health problems. On the flip side, your senior may not enjoy being in a group environment.
With the selection of assisted living, your loved one will be in community with others. This will give plenty of opportunities for social interaction with other residents if that appeals them.Leaving the home that your loved one has lived in for many years can be one of the most difficult decisions that your family may have to make. With in-home care, you have the opportunity to receive care up to 24 hours per day in your own home. But for those where this is just not feasible, a care facility or home is a great option.
2. Specialized Care Plan: When someone has a caregiver in their home, a specialized care plan will be drafted to satisfy every specific need – even down to creating personalized menus for meal planning. In the assisted living facility setting, one-on-one care will not be as specialized, though level of care can be accelerated as needed as staff is already in place.
It is also important to consider caregiver-to-client ratio. In an assisted living facility, you will find that the average ratio is 1 caregiver for every 15 clients or so. In an assisted living care home (smaller setting), you will find that the average ratio is 1 caregiver for every 5-10 clients. But with in-home care, your loved one will have a dedicated caregiver whose sole focus is caring for them alone.
3. Cost: The cost for in-home care can vary as the amount of care that your loved one receives is very scalable. For example, at Total Care Connections, we provide home care for as little as 3 hours per visit to help with things like bathing/showering, medication reminders, and other higher-risk activities of daily living. This can keep the cost quite low. But this cost will rise as the amount of care increases up to 24 hours/day.
Assisted Living can fill the need for 24-hour care at a lower cost because that cost is shared by the fact that there are many clients within the facility. Typically, a facility will charge a base rate and then add levels of care on top of that. It is always important to weigh the costs and benefits of either option to make the best decision for your loved one.
4. Social Life: If your loved one is currently living alone and longs for social interaction, assisted living could be a better option. But one-on-one care in their home also provides this type of interaction.
What many people don’t realize is that, by hiring an in-home care company to provide a caregiver to come directly to your loved one’s home, they can provide transportation to social events, go out to the movies, shopping, and other activities. The need for social interaction and activity can by met while still giving your loved one the ability to stay in their own home.
Many people struggle with this decision. It is a complex choice that truly depends on your loved one’s specific situation. As you can see, there are pros and cons to each of the solutions. Knowing the facts will help you make the best choice for you and your loved one.
At Total Care Connections, we provide assistance with BOTH home care and assisted living placement in Phoenix, Tucson, and throughout Arizona. We would be happy to help you!
