When your senior loved one needs a little extra assistance with their day-to-day living, it’s time to take action. How will you best support them in this new chapter of life? Can you provide them with the care and support they need at home, or is it a wiser decision to explore an assisted living community? Our expert team at Sundale Senior Living is here to walk you through assisted living vs home care so you can decide which course of action best suits your family.
What Are Assisted Living and Home Care?
To make an educated decision with your senior loved one about their next steps, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the options. Here’s a basic breakdown of residential assisted living and home care.
Residential assisted living is a move into a community for older adults who need day-to-day support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Home care is when an older adult stays in their home and receives help with activities of daily living or nursing support from family, friends, or hired caregivers who come to the home.
Both provide similar support and can help your loved one maintain a sense of independence and agency. But which is best for your loved one when it comes to assisted living vs home care?
Benefits of Residential Assisted Living
Assisted living communities definitely have their own unique set of benefits, and our experienced team is here to explain them to you. Here’s why some seniors choose this type of care.
- Around-the-clock care: In a residential assisted living community, seniors can access around-the-clock care and emergency assistance should they need it. Further, seniors can also access nursing care, as well as progress to higher levels of care within the community if necessary.
- Flexibility: Assisted living is flexible; if your loved one decides that the community isn’t right for them after a certain period of time, they’re free to move out and explore other care options for their needs. This is important as some seniors feel that assisted living is their “last stop” and indicates a loss of their freedom and independence.
- Enrichment and social engagement: Assisted living communities place a high priority on social engagement and enrichment for their residents. At Sundale Senior Living, we’re proud to offer an exciting social calendar for residents to enjoy, including activities like walking clubs, exercise classes, movie marathons, board game tournaments, cards, ladies’ socials, offsite shopping events, and more. This helps seniors stay engaged, connected, and active.
- Amenities: Assisted living communities may also offer special amenities that some seniors can’t access at home. At Sundale Senior Living, we offer amenities like an onsite salon, transportation services to appointments, housekeeping, laundry, and an onsite culinary team that prepares fresh, delicious dishes for every meal.
Benefits of Home Care
What are the benefits of home care for your senior loved one? Here are some of the highlights.
- Help with activities of daily living: Home aides can provide assistance with activities of daily living for seniors, including medication management, meal preparation, bathing, and grooming. These caregivers can also assist with some housekeeping and when needed, skilled nursing services.
- Customizable care: You can easily customize the type, level, and amount of home care that your senior loved one needs. For example, if they just need transportation services or need someone to help with a medical condition that requires skilled nursing, you can find an appropriate caregiver.
- Familiarity: Some seniors don’t want to leave the comfort of home or move into a senior living community. Home care might be the best option for them, as they’ll have the familiarity of their own space.
The Costs of Assisted Living and Home Care
Another important factor when it comes to choosing your senior loved one’s next move is cost. How do assisted living costs compare to home care costs? Here’s what you should know.
The median nationwide cost of assisted living is around $4,995 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2024 report on the cost of long-term care and senior living and even higher in Walker and Montgomery counties.
How much does 24/7 in home care cost per month? The national median cost of in-home care is around $30 per hour. For full-time care at home, the cost is $5,720 per month for 44 hours a week of care.
As you can see, there’s a significant cost difference between the two options. Home care can also become more expensive if your senior loved one needs extra support or a different level of care, which can cause costs to climb as the hourly rate increases. Further, you must combine home care costs with the expenses of aging in place such as:
- Homeowner’s insurance
- Mortgage payments
- HOA fees
- Repairs and maintenance
- Utilities
- Groceries
On the other hand, assisted living costs include room and board and – depending on the community – are typically the same every month so you know what to expect and budget for.
Explore Assisted Living at Its Best at Sundale Senior Living
Still unsure which option is best for you and your senior loved one? Explore everything that a rich assisted living community has to offer – schedule a personalized tour of Sundale Senior Living.
Our skilled team of advisors is here to show you around, answer questions, and even help you decide how you’ll find senior living. Contact us today – we’re ready to welcome you and your loved one home!
