Aging In Place or Assisted Living

Where do you want to live when you are retired in your own home or in an assisted living facility? Although the answer might seem obvious, that question is one that everybody should ask themselves. When you are trying to figure out what is best for yourself or a senior loved one, it is important to understand all the options available. Which option is best for you or your loved one will depend on a lot of different factors and every family will have to figure out for themselves what they feel is best. But to help you make a decision, here are some of the most important details on aging in place vs. assisted living.

Benefits of Aging in Place

Most of us would prefer to live out our lives in the comfort of our own homes. But there are a few additional benefits that choosing to age in place can offer:

1. More Affordable

Aging in place comes with its share of costs, but the cost of assisted living is generally much higher. You may have to invest in some home modifications and will have to deal with repairs, real estate taxes and any remaining mortgage payments like you always have, but the annual cost will still likely be lower than moving to assisted living. Remember that the State of California has resources that can help you.

2. Personalized Home

If your loved one has lived in the same house for many years, there have been probably some changes over time to make it their own. Maybe they added a non-slippery floor, a no-menace gutter system like our Byers LeafGuard Gutters, or more lighting like our Solatube Daylighting System. It is natural to want to stay in the space they have worked hard to make their own.

3. In-Home Care

For some of our loved ones who need help sometimes, in-home care can be a good option to have the kind of care an assisted living facility provides. In-home care can often be a solution that fills that need without requiring a move. Also, the California Association for Health Services at Home has resources and information that can help you choose a home health service.

Nobody wants to push their loved ones into a living situation they do not want. And nearly 90% of seniors want to live out their lives in their own homes.

Benefits of Assisted Living

Assisted living offers more independence than a nursing home, but more care than a person receives living on their own. For a lot of seniors who have difficulty with many of the day-to-day tasks, an assisted living facility is the best option. They offer a few distinct benefits that a senior cannot get from aging in place. The State of California also offers resources for assisted living facilities:

1. Constant Care

While you can hire an in-home care professional for certain hours of the day, assisted living facilities have staff on-site 24 hours every day. If your loved one needs help with a lot of basic daily activities, like getting dressed or going to the bathroom, having someone available at all hours is important.

2. Activities And Events

Assisted living facilities routinely schedule fun activities and events for residents. This can range from yoga classes to movie nights to trips to local landmarks and museums. All these options make it easy for seniors to stay active and motivated.

3. Assisted Living Options Are Growing

As the assisted living industry grows, so do the types of assisted living options available to seniors. You can find pet-friendly assisted living and even eco-friendly assisted living. Many seniors may be resistant to assisted living, but if they need the level of care assisted living provides it may well be the best choice for them.

Which Is Right for You?

Those are a few of the differences between the two options, but you still need to figure out which one makes the most sense for your loved one. Here are a few steps you can take to help you figure it out:

1. Talk A Doctor

Your loved one doctor can help you understand the needs that your loved one has now and, how their needs are likely to change in the next few years. Knowing what is coming can help you make a decision.

2. What Is Affordable

Assisted living is expensive enough that money’s got to be a consideration. In some cases, insurance or Medicaid can help and many people are able to leverage their home to pay for assisted living. Compare the costs of your different options and determine which one makes the most financial sense for you.

3. Research Local Options

In addition to considering the resources your loved one has at home, also look into what their assisted living options in the area are. You can find details and reviews for both assisted living and in-home care agencies that can give you a good idea of what your options are.

The decision likely will not be an easy one, but the most important thing is to make sure you do what is right for your loved one.