It's natural to consider the best living arrangement for your sunset years. There are many options you can look into. Some of the most popular ones are in-home care and assisted living.
When it comes to in-home plans, you can expect personal care and medical services (if you need them) in your own home and on your own schedule. On the flip side, assisted living has you in a dedicated facility with communal living spaces. Here, you may receive support for daily activities and healthcare in a shared environment.
Both of them are good options and have their place. However, going for in-home care can be a better choice. Here are a few reasons why:
Familiar Environment
Your sunset years can be lonely. It may seem like everyone else is moving on with their lives, and you're left to your devices. During these times, a bit of familiarity can go a long way.
Maybe it's the rocking chair, perhaps your favorite room, your routines, or weightiest above all, your memories. When you choose in-home care services, you'll get the support you need in an environment that you know in and out.
As a result, you may find that you're less stressed and anxious, especially if you struggle to adapt to new surroundings. Also, when you're out and about, you can claim a slice of your independence and control even in old age.
This can be good for your mental health and overall emotional well-being.
Personalized Care Services
There's nothing like one-size fits all when it comes to care services in this scenario. That's why options like care at home Sydney or any such types of services close to you can be a great idea.
These care providers meet you at your point of need. Do you require assistance with daily activities? That can be arranged. Is it medication management? Or maybe you need specialized medical care? Your care aides will personalize their attention so that it falls in line with what you prefer and what your health demands.
Also, you probably don't need 24-hour care. When you go for in-home care, having someone hovering around when you don't need them is not a concern. You can arrange with your professional caregiver to come in when you need them most. Maybe it's during the day, late in the evening, or even overnight stay. It all comes down to your needs.
Cost-Effectiveness
Senior care can be expensive. In the US, for example, the numbers show that it can cost anywhere between USD$24,700 to USD$116,800 per year. This, of course, boils down to the type of service.
When you do the math, you'll realize that, depending on the level of care you need, the in-home approach can be friendlier to your pockets compared to assisted living facilities. Say, you only need part-time care or intermittent assistance. In that case, you'll discuss a plan that caters solely for those moments.
On the flip side, assisted living facilities may come with constant monthly fees that cater for amenities, meals, and other services on offer. These can be expensive. When you do in-home care, you can handle most of these expenses directly. Homeownership eliminates the need for monthly boarding fees, you get to cook your own meals, etc.
In that sense, you could save a few more coins, which you can then direct to an activity you enjoy. That's one great perk of in-home living.
Family Involvement
Facilities have rules. Maybe you have to book your visits in advance. Perhaps the rules stipulate that your visitors can't bring home-cooked food (and you could really use your son's home-baked pie), or maybe there are restrictions on visiting hours. All these rules can put a damper on overall family involvement.
If you go for in-home living, that's probably the least of your worries. Family can come in and leave at any time. They can bring in whatever it is they wish (or you desire), spend the night, maybe a few weeks, if it's something you both want. You get a chance at forging stronger connections without the barriers of facility visits.
Also, your relatives can rest easy knowing that you are receiving care in the comfort of your home. They can live on with confidence, knowing that their loved one is in a familiar and safe environment.
Closing Thoughts
It's not in-doubt that assisted living can be beneficial, of course depending on your wants and your needs. However, if the freedom to be yourself, associate with family and have control over your sunset days is important to you, in-home care may be a better fit.
To make the correct decision, you may do well to consult your family, social workers whose opinion you trust, your doctor, and any other relevant professionals. Their insights can help you pick the right choice for your needs.
