Pros and Cons of Assisted Living vs. In-Home Home Care

Though it can feel difficult to make these decisions for your loved one’s new stage of life, understanding these different forms of care helps. Let’s look at the benefits of each, as well as the drawbacks, so that you can make an informed decision. Rest easy knowing your loved one is living well in all stages.

What Is Assisted Living Care?

Assisted living communities are designed to support an independent lifestyle at all levels of care. Whether you or your loved one needs minimal support or more full-time, long-term care, senior living communities offer a wide range of care options. 

If you live in Arizona, assisted living communities offer personalized levels of care to match the needs of your seniors. Does your senior need additional support with some activities for daily living (ADLs), such as medication management, toileting, dressing, grooming, ambulating, or showering? If so, caring professionals will assist your loved one with the necessary daily activities while fostering independence.

Residents live comfortably in their own apartments and have access to caring professionals 24 hours a day and a variety of amenities. Assisted living in AZ offers a variety of social, recreational, and cultural activities. Residents have access to planned activities and events where they can meet new friends. They also have access to transportation services, restaurant-style dining, housekeeping services, and care staff to assist with daily activities. Your loved one can maintain a healthy and social lifestyle while receiving the care they need.

Pros of Assisted Living

• Assisted living in AZ offers more affordable 24-hour care with 24-hour emergency response monitoring.
• Seniors can maintain an independent lifestyle with many options for social, recreational, and cultural activities.
• The level of care is personalized and can be adjusted as necessary. The level of care can be easily increased when needed.
• Visitors can typically visit at any time. Assisted living removes the responsibility of care from the family so loved ones can focus on the relationship rather than being caretakers.
• Families have professional support, so they don’t have to manage scheduling and hiring caregivers.
• Built-in security for guests, ensuring safety at all times.
• Help with medication management, bathing/showering, dressing and grooming, transferring and ambulating, and incontinence care and toileting.

Cons of Assisted Living

• There will be some readjustments for seniors and their families with moving and working out visitation schedules.
• It can cost more without financial assistance, though some communities provide financial assistance and focus on making senior living an affordable option.
• Staffing may change.
• Some seniors may not prefer group living.

What Is In-Home Care?

Some seniors prefer to remain living at home but need extra support. If your loved one wants to stay living at home but needs assistance with several ADLs, in-home care may be the answer. Often times family members and friends step in to help provide care. However, this can be difficult to maintain when levels of care increase. When living at home is no longer a safe option for your loved one, and your family cannot provide the necessary ongoing care, in-home care provides skilled nursing care or non-medical care services. These services can range from supervision and companionship to personal care and assistance with ADLs.

Non-medical care can include medication reminders, light housekeeping, meal preparation, errands, laundry, transportation, supervision, and companionship. In-home care also provides assistance with eating, walking, transferring, toileting, dressing, grooming, bathing, and showering.

While ADLs measure basic tasks, instrumental activities of daily living (IDLs) measure more complex tasks such as managing personal finances, light housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping, phone use, and medication. Just as ADL checklists can be used to measure levels of care, IDL checklists can help determine whether a senior can continue to live in their own home.

Pros of In-Home Care

• A senior is able to continue living in the comfort of their own home or of a close relative.
• Provides the freedom to choose a care provider who is a good fit for the family and connects with their loved one.
• Provides consistency with one caregiver.
• Offers personal one-on-one care that is adapted to their individual needs.
• May be lower costs overall if 24-hour care is not needed.

Cons of In-Home Care

• In-home care requires family involvement and is typically managed by the family, requiring time, energy, and research for effective care.
• Many tasks are not covered by in-home care and will need to be provided for by family or friends, such as grocery shopping, housekeeping, and general home maintenance.
• A senior living at home may have less access to socialization and enriching activities.
• 24-hour care can be significantly more expensive.

Finding the Right Solution for You

Now that you know how both forms of care work, which one is the best solution for you or your loved one? This decision depends on the level of care your loved one needs as well as their preferences and your family’s needs. How much assistance do they need, and how much can your family help? Assisted living may be the better choice if your loved one needs 24-hour care. If they need minimal care and are not ready to make the move, you may opt for in-home care. In-home care can always transition to assisted living in AZ when the time is right.Weigh your options, speak with your family, and rest well, knowing you are working towards finding the right care for your loved one! At Solterra Senior Living, we believe everyone should live well at every stage of life. Our beautiful communities provide compassionate and professional care with a variety of engaging activities. Contact us today to learn about personal levels of care for our guests, as well as our financial assistance options.