Is Assisted Living or In-Home Care Right for Your Loved One in Dallas?

Assisted living and in-home care provide some similar senior care services. And both are options if your loved one doesn’t need full-time nursing care. From tasks like bathing and grooming to help preparing meals, both in-home care and assisted living give your loved one support for daily life.

However, there are some differences between these two options. So, the type of care that’s right for your loved one may depend on several factors. To help your family make the choice, review how these two options compare in costs, services, and benefits.

Factors to consider with in-home care 

Costs 

According to the National Center for Assisted Living, you can expect an average cost of $48,048 for in-home senior care services each year. However, this price varies a lot based on your loved one. In-home care providers often charge by the hour or day. They may also add extra fees for things like overnight care.

If your loved one is still able to do some tasks on his or her own, you may only need a couple of hours of care a day. In this case, in-home care might be the right financial choice. At the same time, if your loved one needs several hours of senior care services every day, in-home care isn’t always best. You’ll also want to factor in costs that aren’t covered by in-home care. These include items like rent, utilities, yard upkeep, or home repairs.

Services

In-home senior care providers specialize in activities of daily living. This means they don’t provide nursing care. Instead, they help with self-care and home care tasks. In general, these services include support for:

• • Eating and meal preparation
  • Medication reminders
  • Toileting
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Household cleaning

Benefits

One benefit of in-home care is the ability to keep a loved one in the family home. If your loved one needs minimal support, this gives them care without making a move. Some in-home care providers also provide consistent caregivers for each senior. In this case, your loved one benefits from having companionship through in-home care.

Factors to consider with assisted living

Costs

In the same way as in-home care, the level of support provided affects the total cost. Some assisted living communities let you pick different levels of care or add on additional amenities. You may also pay less depending on location or the senior living apartment  floor plan you choose.

A study by Genworth in 2019 showed the average monthly cost for assisted living in the U.S. was about $4,000 a month. So, for one year, the average cost would be $48,000. Unlike in-home care, this cost doesn’t just include senior care services. It also typically includes room and board, meals, amenities, and more.

Services

Assisted living usually offers all of the same self-care and home care services as in-home care. For example, they provide meal prep, grooming, or medication help. But they also give residents additional amenities beyond this care. Assisted living communities often offers services like:

• • Apartment and outdoor maintenance
  • Planned social activities
  • Transportation to appointments
  • On-site amenities like hair salons or club rooms
  • Care providers on-site 24/7
  • Some utilities included
  • Wellness programs

Benefits

Many times, the 24/7 nature of assisted living gives senior residents and families peace of mind. They can feel confident help is nearby and safety measures are in place. U.S News & World Report says socialization is another major benefit. Because your loved one is surrounded by other senior living residents and planned activities, there’s less risk of isolation.

In the end, assisted living can provide future benefits too. While your loved one might be cared for through in-home care now, you may need to transition to a higher level of care later. Assisted living communities are often designed to support that need. For instance, Signature Pointe offers assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing care , and senior rehabilitation, all within the same Dallas location. This helps provide consistent support as your loved one’s needs evolve.

Want to know more about assisted living? Call Signature Pointe at 972-726-7575 and find out all the ways we support your loved one.