How is Assisted Living Different Than Home Care?

When it’s clear an elderly family member needs daily care, deciding what to do next is often stressful and overwhelming. With a thriving senior population in America, there’s a high availability of senior living and assistance services. While there are many options, today we will be clarifying the differences between assisted living and home care.

Assisted living homes are best for individuals who require very little senior care daily. This means that most assisted living homes provide residents with some help accomplishing various tasks such as organizing medications, but they don’t offer full-time long-term care. Assisted living facilities offer a shared or private room in a community of seniors. An assisted living community often provides social activities from group yoga classes to move night to keep residents engaged with life. Many also offer wellness programs, healthy meal options, and transportation.

Assisted living homes allow residents to maintain their independence as long as possible without compromising their safety. They support residents’ privacy, autonomy, and dignity while focusing on community and family involvement. Most assisted living homes also promote a resident’s right to practice (or abstain from) religion, to interact and socialize with people both in and out of the facilities, to participate in residential councils, or to continue to use personal possessions and manage their own finances. Assisted living homes are sometimes called residential care, adult care home, or retirement home.

Home care is very different from the care provided in an assisted living facility. Most people prefer to remain in their own homes to age in place if possible, and some elderly people like the privacy of receiving care from a professional in the comfort of their own home. Home care offers companionship, transportation, and daily assistance for seniors living at home. Their level of care will vary based on the individual’s needs, but it’s important to note that nursing care isn’t included in-home care.

Home care aides provide household help and personal care to seniors. Many home care services include helping with meal preparation, housekeeping, bathing, toileting, dressing, and grooming.  A major benefit of home care is that it offers one-on-one companionship. Home health professionals are skilled medical professionals who can often administer medications, offer occupational therapy services, change wound dressings, and assess overall health. A home health aide is sometimes referred to as a senior care companion or home aide.

The decision of choosing an assisted living homes and home care can be stressful for your aging loved one. If you are unsure of where to start, contact LifeWorx today and we’d be glad to assist with your senior living journey every step of the way.