Even the most independent people need help at some point in their lives. If you’re looking for this help for yourself or a loved one, it can be hard to know where to start. Do you choose assisted living, or do you prefer in-home care? For that matter, what is in-home health care, and is it the right decision for you and your family? About You In Home Care has been providing professional, compassionate home care services across Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee for more than 20 years, and we’re here to answer your questions about home care vs. assisted living.

Understanding Home Care

Home care, also called in-home care, is just what it sounds like: the client receives assistance and care in their own home, rather than moving into a facility. With home care, caregivers visit their clients for an agreed-upon amount of time per day and help with a variety of activities of daily living. This can include medication reminders, help with daily chores, and even just companionship. If you choose it, home caregivers can often prepare meals with ingredients that are already in the house. In many cases, home care allows clients to keep the feeling of independence they get from living at home.

Understanding Assisted Living

Assisted living facilities provide many of the same services as home care. The most glaring difference between the two is the location: with assisted living, the client lives on-site. Meals are usually provided, and assisted living facilities can have a huge variety of amenities. This means more than just weekly Bingo games: many facilities offer concierge services, off-site transportation, social events, fitness classes, and even salon services. Assisted living facilities are also more likely to offer services like medication management, although it’s always best to be sure before making any decisions.

Comparing Assisted Living and Home Care

As you can see, home care and assisted living have a lot in common. Both feature dedicated caregivers who assist their clients with activities they can’t do on their own. But every client is unique, and the right choice for one may be wrong for somebody else. Ultimately, it comes down to your specific needs and values. Many home care clients are short-term ones who need help as they recover from illness or surgery. For these people, moving to assisted living would be more of a hardship than a help. Other people may have more complex care needs, or just prefer the community setting of assisted living.

Pros and Cons of Home Care vs. Assisted Living

Home Care – 

• Pros:
  • One-on-one companionship and personal care
  • A greater sense of familiarity and independence
  • Keeps pets with their people longer
  • Can be less expensive than assisted living, depending on the client’s care needs
• Cons:
  • Fewer services and facilities than assisted living
  • Fewer inclusions (such as ingredients for meals), with many services being add-ons
  • Clients may have needs that come up outside of regular hours

Assisted Living – 

• Pros:
  • Easier access to medical care
  • More opportunities for group interaction and structured activities
  • Wide range of on-site amenities
  • Restaurant-style dining
• Cons:
  • Moving can be a drastic change
  • Most assisted living facilities don’t allow pets
  • Less privacy than home care

Contact About You In Home Care to Learn More About Our Services

Are you ready to learn more about the benefits in home care can bring to your loved ones who need it? About You In Home Care has been providing diligent, professional home care to our clients since 2005. If you’re wondering how our personalized care can make your life better, give us a call at (985) 246-6475 or ask for your free quote today.

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