Homecare or Assisted Living?
Published: 14/09/2022
There are a number of factors to consider when making the decision between homecare and assisted living. Before we take a look at these we explain what we mean by homecare and assisted living and some of the benefits:
What is homecare and how does it differ from assisted living?
Homecare is a type of care that is provided at home by a family member or professional carer. Homecare agencies, like Right at Home, provide services such as light housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, meal preparation, help with medication, and transportation. It can be an excellent option for people who need a little extra help but who still want to maintain their independence in their own home. One of the main benefits to homecare is the flexibility it offers, fitting around your preferences and existing routines. It can also be increased or decreased as your needs change. For example, you may want extra support following discharge from hospital or as your mobility changes. You may also want some of your care to be given by your friends or family, such as help with doctor’s appointments or food shopping, leaving homecare to give support in the other areas of your daily life.
Assisted living, on the other hand, is care given at home in a shared building with self-contained flats. They offer personal space with a private front door and have the security of living in a shared community and a 24-hour alarm system. Assisted living complexes offer similar services to homecare such as personal care, meals and transportation. It is a good option for people who want to move to a home into a community with other seniors but still want the privacy of their own flat and front door, and the peace of mind of 24-hour care.
When looking at whether homecare or assisted living is right for you, there are some key considerations:
The impact of moving home
Moving house can be a difficult decision for anyone, but it can be an especially tough choice for seniors. On the one hand, you may have lived in your current home for many years and have developed strong attachments to their community. Moving to a new location can cause feelings of loneliness and isolation. In addition, you may find it difficult to adjust to a new living situation, particularly if you are moving into a smaller home. On the other hand, there are potential benefits to moving. A change of scenery can provide mental stimulation and help reduce boredom. In addition, moving to a more accessible home can improve safety and increase independence. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to move home is a personal one that depends on your circumstances.
The cost of assisted living v's staying in your own home
For many people, the thought of moving into an assisted living building is a daunting one. Not only is it expensive, but it can also be stressful and disruptive to your life. If you're used to living in your own home, the thought of downsizing and moving into a new environment can be overwhelming. In addition, there are moving costs, service charges and exit fees to consider and these can add up quickly, making it difficult to afford the move. However if you stay in your own home you may need to make adjustments to your home to enable you to get around and bathe safely, which could be an additional cost. The good news is that making adjustments at home is a small change compared to moving house, and there are government grants available to pay for new facilities.
Choosing the right location
With homecare you can remain in your own home, close to the family, friends and neighbours that you know. If you are thinking about moving to assisted living accommodation then you may want to consider staying in the area that you already know so that you have easy access to your loved ones. In addition, you may not have to change your health services and therefore benefit from the continuity of care by staying with your local GP, nurse or hospital.
Finding the right location can be difficult as assisted living may not be available in the area that you currently live. This is when homecare could be the better option for you as you get to remain in your own home, in the community that you know and still have all the support of assisted living.
Finding opportunities to socialise
One of the main reasons to consider assisted living is being part of a community with other seniors and being able to take part in shared activities. However, homecare and assisted living can offer similar opportunities to socialise and stay active. With assisted living accommodation, activities are often organised onsite in a shared lounge and residents can choose to take part or not. Homecare differs in that you specify where you want to go and what you want to do, giving you more freedom to enjoy your own interests.
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