Comparing In-Home Care and Assisted Living: Key Benefits and Considerations

Caring for someone with dementia can place a heavy burden on loved ones, requiring more time than providing care for most other conditions. One-third of all caregivers for people with dementia are unpaid family members and loved ones, reports the Population Reference Bureau. These caregivers often struggle to balance work, children, and caring for an aging parent. A loved one with dementia will need a higher amount of care as the condition progresses, meaning outside support is typically essential. Figuring out a long-term care plan can feel stressful and confusing, but we’ll help you weigh the two main options: in-home care and assisted living. 

Key Benefits of In-Home Care

Transitioning into a new living situation can feel scary for a person with dementia. In-home care provides the comforting continuity of a known setting with familiar faces. By adding a home care aide to your loved one’s care circle, you can lift some of the burden from your own shoulders. Companion care will enhance your loved one’s safety, improve health and well-being by supporting them in tasks of daily living, and provide mental stimulation through engaging activities. Plus, having a trusted person around throughout the day (or as often as necessary) will enhance your loved one’s emotional state. 

In short, home care lets your loved one remain surrounded by their community while enjoying the comfort of their home. Costs of in-home care depend on whether you need round-the-clock care or assistance for a few hours per week. In 2024, it averaged $33/hour for a home health aide. 

The types of home care covered by Medicaid vary by state; check with your state’s Medicaid office for more information. Medicare can also assist with these costs in certain cases, but it only covers care deemed “medically necessary.” This includes dressing wounds or administering injections, for instance. The AARP offers a tool for calculating long-term care costs.

Benefits of Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted living facilities provide support in daily living tasks while allowing seniors to live independently. They may live in their own apartment unit that housekeeping staff clean periodically. These facilities usually offer 1–3 meals per day, in a community setting, as Tonya Russell writes in Forbes. Living in such facilities provides opportunities to socialize as well. Plus, they offer programming that enriches residents’ lives.

Memory care facilities provide a higher level of care than a typical assisted living facility. Residents usually have an individual bedroom and access to inviting community spaces. These facilities usually have a smaller ratio of staff to patients so they can adequately care for their needs, Russell notes. Moreover, they have nurses with a higher level of advanced skill. Such facilities provide structure, along with extensive support with activities of daily living when needed. They also ensure residents’ safety, protecting them from wandering off. 

The potential downfalls of assisted living facilities include their cost, which can be substantial. Assisted living facilities cost an average of $4,500 per month. The stress of adjusting to living in a new place during a time that already feels frightening is another. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about safety in places like assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

Both in-home care and assisted living are right for different families and individuals. After considering the benefits of each, you can make an informed choice that’s best for your loved one and family.

Call us to schedule a free nurse consultation. A skilled professional will be happy to talk with you about whether in-home elder care is the best option for your loved one.

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