Senior Care - Assisted Living Versus Staying at Home: A Comparison


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Assisted Living Versus Staying at Home: A Comparison

If you need help with things like cooking, cleaning, dressing and managing your medications, two main types of care come to mind: assisted living and in-home care. They’re both good options. But which one’s best?

Many believe in-home care is the obvious choice. Sometimes it is, but not always. Here are a few differences to consider when you’re weighing assisted living versus staying at home.

	Assisted Living	Home Care
Care availability	Prescheduled but should also be available 24 hours a day from an on-site aide.	Prescheduled for a certain amount of hours. May be available for emergencies, but not live-in.
Size of living arrangements	May be small—one room or apartment. But larger common areas and a dining room are available.	Cozy or expansive, it’s home. Though an entire house can be difficult to maintain.
Accessibility	Everything should be accessible, even if you have a wheelchair or walker.	Narrow doorways, tubs instead of barrier-free showers, and other accessibility or safety issues can make home difficult or hazardous. Remodeling may be in order.
Location	May be a new area, further from friends and family.	Same neighborhood you’re used to.
Security and safety	Generally has 24-hour security and a personal call button.	Can get home security and call buttons on your own.
Opportunities to socialize	Provides community meals and areas for socializing, along with excursions, clubs and other activities (though some may cost extra).	Aide provides companionship when there. Friends and family may be close by.
Transportation	Available for you to schedule, though it might cost extra.	Aide may be able to drive you. Separate transportation services are also available for seniors in some areas.
Nutrition	At least some meals and snacks should be included. The kitchen may not be able to cook for special dietary needs.	Aide can cook to your request (to a certain extent) on the days he or she is there, and shop for groceries. Meals on Wheels delivers to seniors in need.
Mental health	Having to move can cause sadness, though it’s hopefully short-lived. (It can also cause depression, which needs to be addressed by a professional.)	Loneliness is a known problem in elderly people who live alone. This can lead to depression.
Cost	Median monthly rate: $3,261.* (Though if you sell your home, you have no mortgage or associated taxes and bills.)	Median hourly rate: $18.* (As an example, this translates to $648 per month for nine hours of care per week.)

*Median rates are according to Genworth Financial’s “2011 Cost of Care Survey.”

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