Most people start out thinking that all types of senior care are the same. This is a common misconception, and pretty early in your senior care search, you likely learned that this just isn’t true. Not only do certain types of care accomplish different things, but there are major cost differences, significant differences in living accommodations, and even discrepancies in the amount of attention that an individual receiving care will get. This is a normal part of learning what senior care is all about. The sooner that you can recognize those differences, the quicker you will be able to make an accurate decision regarding the care of a loved one.
With that in mind, two types of care that are similar in nature when it comes to the acuteness of the care that is provided are in-home care and assisted living. These types of care do have some striking similarities, but they are quite different in other aspects.
The biggest difference is location. In-home care is provided in the home of the person receiving the care, while assisted living takes place in a care facility. Because of this major difference, there are also differences in the individualization of the care that is given. Because in-home caregivers work in a one on one setting, the care that’s given can more easily be customized to fully meet the needs of that person, even if they are seemingly small, like an extra couple minutes of conversation or company watching television.
That is not to say that assisted living does not have benefits. The group structure of assisted living is preferred by many because of the inherent community that comes along with it. Rather than living alone or being with family members, those that receive assisted living have the benefit of being surrounded by their peers.
Depending on the organization that you go through to obtain care, the level of skill of the caregivers you encounter will vary. Ideally, you want a professionally trained caregiver helping your family. This should be someone who has the backing of an employer so that you can know that they are insured, bonded, and have had the appropriate background checks. This is true regardless of which type of care that you select. Be sure to ask any care service that you look at about these things for your own peace of mind and the safety of your loved one.
In-home care and assisted living tend to be similar in price. This will vary depending on where you live and what the needs of your loved one are, though.
In the end, it’s really about doing what’s best for your family. Both assisted living and in-home care have a lot to offer, and although they are similar in many respects, they are also quite different. You might even find that the right choice will be more dependent on what your parent want to get out of their care. Either way, informing yourself about what’s available in your area and the skill of the caregivers that will be helping is a good first step.
If you have questions regarding care, feel free to reach out.
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