Knowing how you plan to handle your long-term care if and when the need arises is something that all adults should consider. One question at the forefront of the decision making is: assisted living or in-home care? There is no universal answer since every person has their own unique preferences and needs, but we hope we can provide you with some valuable information that will play a role as you choose which is best for you!

In-Home Care
In-home care is one of the most requested forms of care today for both long and short term needs. Individuals who wish to remain at home, but have difficulty with daily living due to health concerns or mobility issues, are able to do so with the help of home care agencies. In many cases, families provide the majority of the care needs, but need some help bridging the gap. Care can be supplemented while a familial caregiver works, runs errands, or just needs another person on hand. It is also perfect for individuals who live alone and require minor assistance. For example, they may not drive and need someone to accompany them to a doctor’s appointment or go to the market for them. Other services include meal preparation, medication reminders, safety supervision, hospital discharge care, and much more.

Home care allows clients to maintain their independence and privacy. They continue to eat and sleep on their own schedule and perform the activities they have always enjoyed. Loved ones are free to come and go as they please and spouses can remain living together. The only thing that changes is that additional support is made available in the areas where it is needed. Because of the personalization that occurs with in-home care plans, the quality of care is often considered to be superior with favorable results.

In-home care may be the right choice for you if:
•    You are a senior or have a disability, dementia/Alzheimer’s disease, or other chronic illness that requires the help of loved ones, as well as the services of support specialists.
•    You wish to maintain as much independence as possible.
•    You have a strong desire to remain close to family and friends.
•    You feel the most secure and comfortable at home.
•    You want a personalized care plan tailored to your needs.

Assisted Living Facilities
Individuals who like their personal space but feel comfortable having support staff on hand on a daily basis often find that an assisted living facility has the amenities that meet their needs. Residents at these facilities do not require the level of medical care provided in nursing homes, but are offered assistance with personal care, housekeeping services, transportation, meal preparation, wellness programs, recreation activities, medical services, and more. The exact services offered at an assisted living facility may vary. Residents often have their own apartments or rooms, enabling them to maintain privacy while being a part of the community and benefiting from much needed help. Sometimes a room may need to be shared with another resident.

An assisted living facility may be right for you if:
•    You need more support than your family or friends can offer and in-home care is not able to adequately fill in.
•    You often feel lonely and miss having an active social life.
•    You worry about safety.
•    Maintaining your own home has become too great of a responsibility.
•    Transportation is often a problem.

Which Can I Afford?
Typically the annual cost of becoming a resident in an assisted living facility and hiring an in-home care aide in New England is relatively close, only varying by a few thousand dollars when home care is based on a 44 hour week. This is especially true in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, and New Hampshire; unlike with nursing homes where the cost differential is quite significant. However, the fees for home care services have remained steadier over the years, while the cost of assisted living facilities tends to rise. If you are planning on utilizing an assisted living facility you will need to incorporate inflation into your budget.

The cost of assisted living is all-inclusive and takes in account utilities, food, recreational activities, assistance services, etc. In-home care costs only cover services provided by the personal aides, but are billed based on an hourly rate. This allows clients to pay for exactly how much assistance they need and gives them more flexibility in how much or little they want to spend on other necessities, like housing and food.

Call MAS Home Care to learn more about your care options. We have locations throughout New England. Contact the one nearest you today!