Several key differences exist between assisted living and in-home caregiving, which can significantly affect the kind of care a senior should receive. On top of that, you have various service providers to choose from. Still, the best assisted living support in Somerset, MD, comes from Coastal Home Care.
Coastal Home Care is among the top home care providers in the region. We have assisted numerous patients and families throughout Maryland and Delaware. Along with personalized elder care, we offer specialized services, such as hospice care for terminal patients as well as dementia and Alzheimer’s care. Our nurses are well-trained and ready to help you and your loved one.
Below, we discuss the differences between assisted living and in-home care then how you can choose between them:
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living involves a communal living facility designed for seniors to live and socialize in. These facilities usually offer amenities like meals, transportation, group activities, and housekeeping, all at a monthly fee.
Assisted living facilities provide round-the-clock care for their residents, which ensures they receive the medical and personal attention they require. More importantly, those with chronic conditions always receive assistance whenever it is needed.
However, assisted living facilities involve a staff working together to care for a large pool of residents. So, while there is consistent and daily care provided to the elders who stay there, it isn’t as personal as in-home care from Coastal Home Care.
What is In-Home Care?
In-home care involves a caregiver that is hired to visit a senior and help them with their daily living activities. This can involve meal preparation, getting around the house, transportation to and from appointments, bathing, grooming, laundry, and more.
This form of senior care is more personalized, in which care is given one-on-one rather than in assisted living, in which registered nurses work together to care for several seniors at once.
Depending on the level of care that your loved one needs, costs could be lower compared to assisted living. This is because assisted living involves a single, all-encompassing monthly fee, while in-home care can be more variably scheduled, from a few hours to several days each week.
This follows from the added advantage of in-home care’s flexibility in its focus on particular areas of care, such as simple assistance around the home to focused attention on those with chronic or severe conditions like dementia.
Thus, depending on the amount of time you and your loved one require assistance, the costs of in-home care will usually vary, an advantage that many find in-home caregiving.
Furthermore, another advantage that in-home care brings is how you and the rest of your family are just as involved in choosing your loved one’s caregiver.
In-home care is also well-enjoyed for it is about providing a companion to your elderly loved one–not just someone who will care for them–but also someone who can connect with them on a personal level.
Tips for Choosing Assisted Living or In-Home Care
There are stark differences between assisted living and home care, but it can still be difficult to know which one to choose for your loved one. Below, we provide a few recommended steps to take so you and your loved one have an easier time deciding which type of care they should receive:
- Determine Level of Care – firstly, you should figure out how much care your senior needs. Consider what activities they need assistance with consistently. Also think about how much you and your family can be involved—though you may be able to make time for your elder loved one, it can’t be 24/7, 365 days a year.
- Understanding the Differences Between Assisted Living and In-Home Care – Next, once you understand what your elder needs help with and how often, you can go on to consider your choice between assisted living and in-home care. After learning about both–each of which are clarified above–you’ll be able to make a clear and educated decision on which your loved one may need.
- Consider Finances – Before making things final, consider which choice is feasible and affordable to you. While assisted living may be simpler to pay for each month, you may get more value out of in-home care. Either way, it is important to factor in your financial standing to ensure that your loved one gets the care they need in the long term.
Compassionate Assisted Living Support Available in Somerset County, MD
Hopefully, we have helped you make an easier and more informed decision for you and your loved one. At Coastal Home Care, we dedicate ourselves to providing excellent assisted living support to elders and their families to get the help they need. We do this by sharing the burdens of caregiving and assisting with all sorts of issues regarding elder care, such as helping with simple tasks like cleaning, cooking, and moving around, to issues involving dementia and other chronic conditions.
Contact us today at (410) 572-5606 to learn more about our services and schedule an appointment with one of our trained caregivers.