When it comes time for additional support and care, seniors and their loved ones might be hesitant about where to start their journey. There is often a discussion on staying at home and bringing home care services vs. moving into a Lifecare senior living community. One of the hardest parts of this decision is identifying and understanding the difference between both options to make the choice that is the best fit. To help provide the resources needed to make this decision, we have put together a comparison of at-home services vs. a Lifecare community.
Home Care
At-home services are when a caregiver is hired to come into the senior’s home to help them with activities of daily living. This allows the seniors to stay at home safely while receiving the care that they need. The level of care delivered by the in-home caregiver is dependent on the specific care level that the senior needs and can include transportation services, medication management, and meal preparation.
One thing to keep in mind regarding at-home services is that if care is needed 24/7, the cost of care can become expensive. There is also the risk of social isolation, which can contribute to depression, cognitive decline, or other health problems. Although having a caregiver in the home allows the senior to stay there, the home itself will need to be upgraded or modified to meet the needs of the senior for safety and accessibility. Lastly, the loved ones of the senior need to be committed to the at-home care journey by dedicating time to finding the right caregiver, managing the caregiver(s), assisting with housekeeping and home maintenance, and providing the senior with groceries, personal care items, and household supplies.
Lifecare Community
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A Lifecare community is a unique type of continuing care retirement community that provides seniors with the opportunity to pay an entrance fee to receive guaranteed care service of life. These types of communities offer various care levels on one campus so that if one's level of care changes, the community is equipped with the resources needed to accommodate. Making the decision to join a Lifecare community removes the risk and anxiety of one day caring needs outgrowing the home.
There are many similarities between a Lifecare community and at-home services. These similarities include caregivers available 24/7 to provide activities needed for daily living, transportation services, medication management, and meals. However, the biggest difference between these two lifestyle options is the socialization one will receive at a Lifecare community.
Lifecare communities offer a robust activities calendar that offers various activities based on residents’ interests. This provides a selection of activities to choose from and continuously offers fun and new things to try. As noted above, social isolation can greatly impact the well-being of seniors and can have a ripple effect on their health. Joining a Lifecare community reduces this risk by helping seniors make new friends, keeping them engaged, and improving overall health.
To sum it up, there are many benefits to both at-home services and a Lifecare community. When making the decision on which is the best fit for seniors, their loved ones need to look at all angles of their situation to decide which option fits best. The biggest advice one could give is to keep social isolation in mind when making the decision, as it plays such a large role in the senior's life and well-being.
If you are interested in learning more about Collington’s Lifecare community and how we reduce the chances of social isolation, please contact us today. We look forward to speaking with you.
