Should I Choose Elder Homecare or Assisted Living?

Even the most independent of seniors may start to experience a change in their quality of life as time goes on. When faced with such changes, it’s time to weigh the pros and cons of aging in place and receiving homecare vs. moving into assisted living. It’s important to remember that needs change and what may be listed on the ‘con’ column may be significantly outweighed by the ‘pros’ at a different stage of life.

In-Home Senior Care

There’s no place like home and aging in place is the preferred choice of most older adults.

There are positives to remaining at home, including:

Familiar surroundings and a sense of comfort.
No need to pack or downsize belongings, sell a home and move.
A sense of independence, control and privacy.

However, the drawbacks of remaining at home may include:

Loneliness and isolation if the senior cannot leave the house often or doesn’t have family nearby.
Safety and fall hazards, such as clutter or forgetting to turn off an appliance.
Difficulty with completing household tasks like cooking and laundry.

The good news is that a professional in-home caregiver can step in to provide hands-on assistance with daily tasks and transportation, while also providing companionship, emotional support and social connection. If the senior has experienced acute illness or surgery, a Kadan professional caregiver can assist with measuring vital signs, performing rehabilitation exercises, adhering to a medication schedule, getting to doctor appointments, bathing and changing bandages and surgical dressings. The caregiver is also skilled at recognizing the early signs of illnesses such as dementia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, which can alert family members to the need for a higher level of care.

Assisted Living

When care needs escalate, assisted living may become preferable over in-home elder care. It’s important to look at the ‘big picture’ of the senior’s quality of life.

There are many benefits to choosing assisted living, including:

Around-the-clock access to nursing staff in case of emergencies.
Greater opportunities for interaction with others and access to activities, especially if the senior’s family doesn’t live nearby.
Peace of mind knowing that meals are taken care of and there’s no home upkeep required.

The disadvantages of moving to assisted living, however, may include:

The need to sell a home and leave familiar surroundings.
A loss of privacy and personal space.
Higher out-of-pocket care costs.

Choosing between assisted living and in-home care can be difficult, as seniors’ needs for care are always changing. If you’re thinking, “I need learn more about my options for elder care near me and decide between in-home care and assisted living,” Kadan Homecare is here to help. Kadan’s professional caregivers are skilled at providing support both in-home and in assisted living settings. They can help improve a senior’s emotional wellbeing and provide friendship and support as they make the transition to living in a new community. They also can assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as eating, dressing and bathing, and provide transportation to outside appointments and activities.

For more information or our Atlanta home care services, call 770-396-8997 or email info@kadan.org.

Dina Kadan White2023-11-09T17:19:09+00:00March 21st, 2023|

About the Author: Dina Kadan White

As Vice President of Kadan Homecare, White oversees the day-to-to day operations and assists with strategic planning for company. White has worked with Kadan full-time for the past 11 years, although she has been engaged with the family-run firm at some level for most of her adult life. Prior to joining Kadan, White served as Director of Product Development at Equifax and previously was a Marketing Director with Wachovia. These jobs prepared her well for a position where she works for the benefit of all aspects of this highly client-focused agency. White holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is a member of the National Private Duty Association, a membership organization for firms whose homecare model is to employ, train, monitor and supervise caregivers, create a plan of care for the client and work toward a safe and secure environment for the person at home. White is also a member of the National Association for Home Care and Hospice.