Assisted living or home care? When it’s become clear that an elderly family member needs daily care, answering this question can be stressful and overwhelming.

While both choices have benefits, according to AARP, 75% of seniors would rather age at home. Meanwhile, many seniors who are moved to an assisted living facility report a positive experience.

To help you make an informed choice, here is a summary of each type of care.

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living facilities provide housing and care services to active seniors who aren’t able to live independently. This type of care combines housing with support services and some necessary health care.

Assisted living facilities support seniors with some of the activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing, and dressing, but they don’t provide any ongoing skilled nursing care as you’d find in a nursing home.

Services that seniors do receive in an assisted living facility include:

  • Meal services
  • Medication management
  • Housekeeping and laundry services
  • Social activities

The cost of these services is included in the monthly assisted living facility, which can greatly vary depending upon location, room type (semi-private or private), and the particular facility.

What Is Home Care?

Home care provides seniors living at home with companionship, transportation, and daily assistance. Home care aides are typically provided by a home care agency, and they are carefully screened and insured.

Individualized care is provided by trained aides who help seniors with:

  • Meal preparation
  • Light housekeeping
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Toileting
  • Grooming
  • Transferring
  • And more

Many home care agencies, like Home Instead of Southwest Florida, provide complimentary consultations and customized care plans to determine a senior’s needs before care begins.

Besides keeping a senior safe and happy at home, a significant benefit of home care is one-on-one companionship. Many seniors feel alone after spouses and friends have passed away. A home care aide can’t replace a loved one, but they can play a significant role in the life of a senior, not only as a caregiver, but often as a compassionate companion.

And, many caregivers become part of the family because of their interaction with many family members when they are in the home, providing care. Over time, a bond develops, and confidence and trust are built.

Which is better for your loved one?

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to answering this question.

Some people decide by spending time at an assisted living facility and also meeting with a home care aide.

When visiting a facility, try to bring your loved one with you so they can get a feel for not only the administrators, but also for the staff. Observe the level and frequency of interaction between staff and residents and how engaged residents seem.

When talking with a home care agency, ask questions about their caregivers’ levels of experience and training, how the agency selects aides, and what their procedures are for checking employees’ backgrounds.

Finally, involve your loved one in the discussion. They may or may not be the final decision maker, but their input can be valuable and have a long-term impact on their health and happiness.

Home Instead of Southwest Florida Provides Top-Notch Home Care Services

Home Instead is a leading provider of home care services in Naples, Fort Myers, and Charlotte County, Florida. We pride ourselves in employing professional CAREGivers who immerse themselves in the homes and lives of those they care for.

Contact us today and learn more about how your loved one can be cared for at home by one of our compassionate CAREGivers. We don’t just provide home care; we build lasting relationships with families.