Assisted Living vs Home Care — Which is Best?
Everyone needs help from time to time. When we age, we may need just a little extra help not just occasionally, but on a daily basis. In these cases, assisted living communities and home care services can be excellent choices to help us or our loved ones stay active and safe while aging.
All About Home Care vs Assisted Living
Depending on you or your loved one's senior care needs, home care or assisted living could be the right fit for your family.
Home Care
Home care is a broad term that can refer to any number of services that older adults receive in the comfort of their own homes. One-on-one care services can be received from a home care agency, independently hired medical professionals like certified nurses, contract live-in home caregivers, and more.
Common in-home care services include assistance with daily activities like getting dressed, nursing assistance, companionship services to combat the risk of social isolation, and more.
Further reading:
Also known as:
- In-home care
- Home health care
Amenities and services:
- Personal care assistance
- Light housekeeping and laundry services
- Grocery shopping
- Companionship
- Meal preparation and/or delivery
Cost of In-Home Care
According to Genworth Financial's Cost of Care Survey, the 2023 median monthly cost for homemaker services was $5,720 and home health aides was $6,292.
Common ways to pay for this type of care include:
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Long-term care insurance
- Personal savings
- VA benefits
Assisted Living Communities
Assisted living communities are communities for older adults who require some assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). ADLs include toileting while IADLs include medication management. Assisted living is ideal for older people who need personal care services rendered on a daily basis but do not require 24/7 medical assistance. Many people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia choose assisted living before making the move to memory care.
Each community will vary in what it offers. That said, common services and amenities include assistance with ADLs, access to on-site health care services, exercise classes, group activities like crafts, and scheduled outings.
Further reading:
Also known as:
- Assisted living facilities
- ALFs
Common amenities and services:
- Assistance with daily tasks
- Some assistance with medical care
- Full-time caregivers
- Scheduled social activities
- On-site salons
- Transportation services
- Scheduled outings
- Wellness classes
Cost of Assisted Living
According to Genworth Financial's Cost of Care Survey, the 2023 median cost for an assisted living facility was $5,350/month in the United States.
Popular methods to pay for assisted living include:
- Medicaid
- Medicare (short-term basis in limited circumstances only)
- Long-term care insurance
- Personal savings
- Veterans benefits
Finding the Right Senior Living Options at St. Andrew's
We are committed to offering the right level of care at the right place and the right time. For some people, that means staying home and receiving in-home care services. For others, that means making the move to assisted living.
St. Andrew's wants to help you or your loved one find the right level of care, when and where you need it. That is why we offer not just assisted living and home care options, but also active senior living communities, memory care facilities, skilled nursing care (nursing home care) communities, independent living communities, and short-term rehabilitation services for older adults and their family members.
Contact St. Andrew's to learn more about assisted living vs home care and which senior living option is best for your family.
