There’s a lot to consider when weighing your options for your care needs at home and in a senior living community. First, there’s figuring out what the options are. Second is understanding what those options offer. Third is determining which ones are realistic for your needs, wants, and circumstances. How exactly do you find this information? We can help you by identifying the home care options and options for care in senior living - along with their pros and cons - right here.
Options for Care at Home
You typically have two options when it comes to care at home, and here’s what you can expect from each.
Home Health Care – These services help you live independently at home and can also be useful when recovering from an injury or illness to help you regain independence. Home health care is provided hourly as-needed, or on a 24/7 live-in basis. It typically offers personal care, household chores, cooking, transportation, occupational, physical, and/ or speech therapy.
- Pros:
- The comfort of being in a familiar place
- A range of service and care options are available
- Flexibility, as home health care can be used on an as-needed or 24-hour basis
- Cons:
- Still have to address safety concerns around the house on your own
- Still have to keep up with home maintenance, repair, and other expenses
- At home, you may have fewer social opportunities and risk of isolation
- Lack of exercise and proper nutrition are risks when care is provided only intermittently
- The cost of home health care can increase dramatically as needs increase
Adult Day Care – This option helps to give caregivers time away to go to work, run errands, or simply to have a break. Adult day care offers a safe environment and typically provides care during normal business hours, five days a week with services that may include meals and snacks, health monitoring, medication assistance, fitness, educational programs, and social activities.
- Pros:
- Gives caregivers some much-needed flexibility
- Offers a safe, supportive environment while the caregiver is away
- Provides social interaction and structure to daily activities
- Cons:
- Hours and services may be more limited than you may need
- Some centers focus more on activities and social interaction so staff may not be trained for personal care
- The hassle of getting to and from adult day care each day
Options for Care In Senior Living
Senior living communities typically offer independent living, assisted living, and memory care levels of care. What’s more, many senior living communities offer multiple types of care on the same campus for added convenience. Here’s what you can expect in senior living.
Independent Living – Rather than a type of care, independent living is more of a lifestyle choice for seniors who are able to look after themselves, but seek a more active, social way of life free of the hassles of chores and home upkeep. Communities feature a range of accommodation options as well as amenities that include restaurant-style dining, weekly housekeeping, fitness center, full-service beauty salon, and concierge services as well as a full calendar of events and activities.
- Pros:
- Variety of floor plans including studios, one- and two-bedroom
- Freedom from the burdens and unpredictability of homeownership
- More time to enjoy the things you love
- Wide range of resort-like amenities and social opportunities
- Cons:
- Not ideal for those needing assistance with activities of daily living
- Onsite medical care is not typically offered
- Dealing with the stress of downsizing
Assisted Living – This type of care has many of the same features as independent living, but assisted living differs in that it also offers personalized care and support with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing and medication management. Care staff is available 24/7 and a registered nursing team is also onsite. The goal here is to provide the right amount of support to help you remain as independent as possible while enjoying an active, engaging and purposeful life.
- Pros:
- Onsite personal and medical care that can adapt to changing needs is available; levels of care may be tiered so you only pay for the types of care and assistance you need
- Assistance with activities of daily living is on hand should you need it
- You’ll enjoy more social opportunities and freedom from chores and home upkeep
- Caregivers will have less stress and more free time as well to be daughter, son, husband, or wife again
- Cons:
- Intensive, round-the-clock medical care or specialized care (like skilled nursing or memory care) may not be available
- It can be challenging to adjust to a group environment
- Less privacy than you would have in your own home
Memory Care – Specifically designed to nurture those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, this type of care provides 24-hour support in a secure, calming environment with apartment-style accommodations. Staff is specially trained in memory care and not only provide the support found in assisted living for personal care needs, but also opportunities to socialize, stay active and enjoy purpose each and every day no matter the degree of cognitive impairment.
- Pros:
- Specialized care for Alzheimer’s and dementia including therapeutic programs
- Lower staff to resident ratio than other types of care for more personalized care
- The structured daily routine is comforting
- Caregivers will have less stress and more free time as well to be daughter, son, husband, or wife again
- Cons:
- The stress of being in an unfamiliar setting
- Challenges of adjusting to a group environment
- Potentially limited availability
For more information, download our Stay or Go Guide to help you decide between care at home or in senior living or contact us today to schedule a tour.