This week is National Assisted Living Week. During this time of year, we are encouraged to take a moment to all of those who play vital role health and happiness of seniors in these facilities.
If you are over the age of 65, this week may give you pause. As we age, it’s natural to need help with activities of daily living we once found simple. When you begin to recognize this in yourself, you may wonder: what kind of help do I need? Do I need assisted living or home care?
The answer isn’t black and white. It comes down to several, personal details that you will have to consider before you decide for yourself.
What is assisted living?
Assisted living facilities are establishments that provide housing and care services to active seniors. They assist seniors with activities like bathing, dressing, and eating, but do not provide ongoing skilled nursing care. The care at these facilities can include housing, support, and health care.
These facilities offer around-the-clock care as needed—many even have on-site nurses. For those with medical conditions, this is a relief. They also offer an outlet for senior socialization. From craft nights to full movie theaters, assisted living facilities can give seniors a wide variety of activity options. The number of amenities varies based on the price of the facilities.
Prices of assisted living facilities vary greatly based on the number of resources available. However, the average cost for a single room in assisted living in Illinois is $4,170 a month. So, for middle-class families, this can be strenuous on their financials.
What is home care?
Home care allows seniors to live independently in their homes thanks to the aid of an at-home caregiver. A trained professional comes to the senior’s home to assist with whatever activities of daily living the senior struggles with.
The senior and the home care agency work together to determine a plan tailored to the level of care the senior needs. Some may simply require help with light housekeeping and companionship. Others may need assistance with personal care activities and meal preparation. Whatever it is, the agency creates a plan that is right for the senior. They cannot, however, provide health care services.
Seniors who meet the right qualifications can have their services covered by Medicaid. Those who do not may instead try private care options.
Do I need assisted living or home care?
The best way to determine if assisted living or home care works best for you is to start by evaluating your needs. Determine everything you need assistance with on a monthly, weekly, and daily basis. Do you need supervision around the clock? Or do you only need assistance for a few hours? Do you have medical concerns? Or are your concerns more about mobility?
Once you’ve determined what you need assistance with, you can break down the pros and cons of assisted living and home care. Some may include:
Pros
- Assisted living: around-the-clock medical care is available, there are ample socialization activities, and you don’t have to worry about scheduling.
- In-home care: Your care is one-on-one and tailored to your needs, you grow comfortable with your specific caregiver, your caregiver can come as frequently or infrequently as you like, and you get to stay independent in your home.
Cons
- Assisted living: Frequent changes to staff result in less consistent care, the quality of care varies between staff members, and not everyone enjoys living in group environments.
- In-home care: Living at home can lead to social isolation, the house may have to be modified for accessibility, and care is non-medical and not 24/7.
Upon weighing out these considerations, you should be able to make a decision based on the type of care you require to live out your golden years in comfort. You may find as time passes that you would prefer one form of care over the other, and that is a reasonable change to make.
If you still have questions about the type of care that best fits you, don’t be afraid to ask your family and friends for their opinion. They may be able to offer a unique perspective on your needs. If all else fails, speak with representatives at both assisted living facilities and home care agencies.
Home Care Powered by AUAF can assist with your non-medical needs
If you’re considering at-home care in Illinois, Home Care Powered by AUAF can help. For more than 25 years, we have served seniors with the respect they deserve. After years of caring for others, you deserve to receive that same compassion. Our highly trained caregivers offer you that and so much more.
If you have been struggling with the activities of daily living but aren’t ready to leave your home, we can help. Our services include:
- Personal care
- Medication reminders and management
- Meal preparation
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Errands
- Brain games and activities
- Companionship and social interaction
If a loved one is already assisting with your home care needs, they can be paid for their work. Through our contract with the IDoA, your loved one can receive caregiver training and then be paired with you as your caregiver. As a result, this saves you the growing pains of building a relationship with a new caregiver and offers your loved one compensation for their work.
For more information on our services, as well as our family caregiver program, call us at 773-274-9262.