What is the Difference Between In-Home Care and Assisted Living?
As residents in the Ohio Valley get older, more families are beginning to have conversations surrounding senior living and what to do when our elderly family members begin to lose the ability to do some of the day-to-day activities required to live independently.
Two of the most appealing options usually under consideration are in-home care and assisted living facilities. Because these two options represent the highest level of independence, they are often seen as directly competing with each other, but that is not necessarily the case. There are situations where each option offers the best level of care and quality of life for the client.
When are Assisted Living Communities the Right Choice?
Assisted living facilities are senior communities that allow elderly residents to exercise independence in their social life while offering staffed support in activities like meal preparation, bathing, dressing and transportation.
Assisted living facilities are a great senior care option for individuals and families who do not have a strong desire to stay in their home, do not need a high-level of individual care, but would benefit from the social aspects of community living as well as the 24 hour monitoring.
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When is in-home Care the Right Choice?
In-home care professionals provide companionship, housekeeping, bathing, food preparation, transportation and other non-medical services on an hourly basis.
In-home care is provided by non-medical care professionals that they are not permitted to administer medication or perform other medical care normally administered by a nurse as part of a skilled care relationship. However, they are able to offer medication reminders.
In-home care is a great senior care option for elderly clients who want to stay in their home for as long as possible but require some assistance in order to remain independent. It provides individual care when it is needed in the areas where it is needed most.
An in-home plan of care can range from 24/7 staffing to having an aid stop in a few times a week for meal prep, bathing, housekeeping, errands, safety, and companionship. One of the perks of in-home care is that individuals and families can work with the agency to create a plan of care that maximizes coverage and care around the client’s budget instead of a flat rate, one-size-fits-all solution.
Costs and Payment for In-Home Care vs Assisted Living Facilities
Quality in-home care and assisted living facilities are largely private pay options. There are situations where things like long term care insurance and veteran benefits may help subsidize the senior care, but there is often a balance left over that must be paid out-of-pocket.
Assisted living facilities in Wheeling, Steubenville, Cambridge and across the Ohio Valley range from $1,500 per month up to $6,000 per month depending on the care and amenities of the facility. Nursing home care can be even more expensive.
In-home care ranges from $15 to $25 per hour, depending on the case and care agency.