If your parents are determined to remain independent but are beginning to struggle with basic daily tasks and could use a helping hand, there are two great options that provide additional care:

  • In-home care services
  • Moving into an assisted living community

While both can be excellent choices, their success depends greatly on the specific needs and preferences of your parents and the family.

Making the decision between home care vs assisted living

To decide which option might be the best fit, start by asking these questions to assess your parents’ abilities and desired lifestyle choices:

  1. Are your parents able to bathe safely, dress and handle the other tasks of daily living?
  2. If not, how many of these tasks require assistance?
  3. Are they able to plan, shop for and prepare healthy meals?
  4. Are they remaining connected and participating in activities?
  5. Are they able to spend time with friends and family?
  6. Are they maintaining their home and managing needed repairs or upkeep?
  7. Are they keeping their home clean and in good condition?
  8. Are they still driving or have access to alternative transportation options?
  9. Do your parents feel safe and secure in their home and neighborhood?

Comparing the benefits and costs of home care vs assisted living

After prioritizing the needs and preferences of your parents, compare them to the services offered by both home care and assisted living:

The benefits and costs of home care

  1. Convenience

The convenience of care services coming directly to them allows your parents to continue living in their home and deciding the number of hours a day and days a week that additional care is needed.

  1. Wide variety of care services available

Your parents may also need health care provided by a medical professional in their home but typical home care services include assistance with:

  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Companionship
  • Laundry
  • Grocery shopping and meal preparation
  • Housecleaning
  • Transportation
  • Accompanying them to medical appointments
  1. Retain the familiarity of home and neighborhood

Being able to remain in their current residence might be a priority for your parents, keeping the familiarity and connection their home may have to their family’s history. Having the same neighbors, pharmacy and grocery stores can make life simpler and reassuring.

How do costs compare?

The region where your parents live and the number and type of services needed will determine the costs. Family, friends and neighbors who help out can decrease the amount of agency care. Speak to a few local home health care organizations to get exact pricing. But the following features will be considered:

  • The type of care needed – health care or personal in-home care
  • The number of hours per month that care is needed
  • The number of hours family and friends can provide
  • Other care options such as adult day centers that can be utilized
  • The number of care hours provided by an agency and their rates

The benefits and costs of assisted living

  1. A private residence and independent lifestyle

Your parents will still live independently in a private residence that can be personalized to make their own. They’ll also make their own daily decisions.

  1. Assistance with daily tasks

Your parents will find the help they need, including assistance with bathing, dressing or managing medications.

  1. Access to planned activities

Communities offer a monthly calendar of activities so your parents can easily find something of interest on-site.

  1. Opportunities to meet and make new friends

Friendships are essential to health and the enjoyment of life. Communities provide social events and opportunities to make it easy to meet others.

  1. Healthy and delicious dining

Your parents will no longer need to worry about shopping or preparing healthy food. They’ll find selections to choose from and can simply order and enjoy.

  1. Scheduled transportation

If your parents are no longer driving or driving less, they may begin to feel isolated. Communities offer transportation so they won’t have to rely on others for rides.

  1. Safety and security

Communities offer security either through personnel or alarm systems and may include personal security in the residences. It’s also reassuring to know someone is always there.

  1. Maintenance-free living

This feature ranks high on the preference list of many residents who are glad to turn over the responsibilities of home maintenance to someone else.

How do costs compare?

Similar to home care services, the cost of assisted living depends on the region and services contracted. The exact pricing can be obtained by talking to a community associate.

However, when comparing assisted living with home care, it’s important to consider the following circumstances:

  1. Does your parents’ home require expensive and extensive renovations to create an age-friendly and safe environment?
  2. Utilities, maintenance, meals, housekeeping and other similar household costs are included in assisted living. If your parents remain at home, these expenses will remain.
  3. The best decision for your parents should consider their quality of life. Assisted living provides opportunities for making friends and staying active that might not be available if they remain at home.

The Charleston Senior Community

Locally owned and operated, we offer personalized care by our dedicated team members. Setting a new standard in Assisted Living and Memory Care, we don’t define our residents by their limitations or illness but instead believe in focusing on the positive and the possibility.

The Charleston Senior Community includes private apartments for assisted living residents and for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Your loved ones will benefit from our attention to detail, routine health assessments, delicious dining and daily activity programs as we support them to live their best life.

Consider a few of our amenities:

  • Chef-led dining program
  • Community movie theater
  • Salon
  • Ballroom
  • Live entertainment
  • Outdoor patio
  • Social lounges
  • Housekeeping

If your family is thinking about assisted living or memory care for your loved one, we hope you will consider The Charleston Senior Community. We are a trusted resource and are here to answer any questions. We also invite you to download our complimentary information, A Family Guide to Funding Senior Care & Housing.