The Difference Between Assisted Living vs In-Home Care

You want the best for the elders in your life. They deserve to enjoy a comfortable and independent retirement on their terms.

Nevertheless, with advanced age can come needs that cannot be met if they continue to live on their own. If you have elderly family who lives alone, you may have noticed certain changes. Perhaps they are having difficulty driving themselves to the store, or maybe they are less able to keep up with maintaining their home.

When these changes start to occur, it is important that the person receives the support they need to continue making the most out of their golden years. People often try to provide this support themselves – stopping by on evenings or weekends to help their aging loved ones.

This is a noble gesture, but it is rarely in anyone’s best interest. It can be dangerous for an aging person to become overly reliant on someone in their immediate circle, such as a child, niece or nephew, for support.

What if that person is not available when they are needed?

What if they move away?

This situation can also be unfair to the person providing support, as it can eat into their free time and create feelings of stress, guilt or resentment.

Generally, the best answer is to find the older person a senior living solution. However, there are many options from which to choose. People in this situation often stumble upon two potential choices between assisted living vs in-home care.

If your aging loved one is in need of additional support, it is important to know what options are available to you and your family.

Assisted Living vs In-Home Care

What is in-home care?

In-home care entails the support of a trained aide who visits the person in their home regularly to provide care, support and companionship.

It allows the senior to remain in their home without placing an undue burden on their friends and family to help them with tasks such as activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, grooming, eating, managing medication, etc.). The aide can also provide transportation to places like medical offices and grocery stores. Generally, the aides will visit on a set schedule.

What is assisted living?

Assisted living is a level of senior living where residents can enjoy the freedom and privacy of their own home or apartment with the peace of mind of having trained aides on site around the clock. It is often available on a community campus with plenty of neighbors, dining, amenities and more.

Assisted living ensures that seniors’ needs are met while they enjoy the additional benefits of life in a senior community, such as libraries, fitness centers and an improved social life.

Which should I choose?

While everyone’s situation is different, many people flourish once they make the transition to assisted living. Life in a retirement community frees them from the obligations of home maintenance, lawn care and household chores. It also makes them part of a community, which can combat the threat of isolation so often associated with advanced age.

If you would like to learn more about a Freeport assisted living community with abundant events, activities, and amenities call WinnPrairie today at 815-656-4800 or contact us online.