Home Care vs. Assisted Living

Revised on March 21, 2022

By CarePatrol of Richmond-Fredericksburg-Williamsburg-Newport News 

It's no secret: aging presents many challenges, with the loss of one's independence and mobility being some of the biggest struggles. Many older adults stay active and independent well into their senior years, but sooner or later, everyone has to admit they need a little extra help with everyday life.

When that time arrives, there are two main options: staying at home or moving to assisted living.

On this page, we'll explore the details of both and let you know how CarePatrol can help you make the right decision for any stage of life.

Need help ASAP? Search by zip code to contact a senior care advisor near you!

Staying at Home and "Aging in Place"

If you only need help for a few hours a week and independent living is important to you, staying at home may be your best option. Hiring someone to help can be done in two ways: either through a company or on your own.

Going the route of a company usually provides more options and more support. For example, if a scheduled caregiver calls in sick, the company should be able to provide a replacement quickly. Or, if personality conflicts arise, then the company should be able to provide other options. For the best in-home care companies, pricing is usually around the $22/hr range. There are many companies that specialize in bringing helpful caregivers to your home, but it is highly important to use a reputable company that thoroughly screens and background checks their workers.

Another way to obtain in-home care is to ask friends and family for recommendations of private individuals they have hired before. Often, families tell us of the wonderful experiences they’ve had with an individual caregiver and are eager to recommend them.

Since individual caregivers known and recommended by friends and family usually charge $15-$18/hr, many people are more interested in finding these helpers. Plus, if a person comes highly recommended, chances are they have a real heart for service and aren’t just “in it for the money.”  Even still, life happens. Caregivers’ cars could break down or their children could get sick, and if there's no backup caregiver to fill in, the burden falls on the patient's family.

Regardless of what you choose, make sure the home environment is safe first. Decluttering and adding grab bars are easy solutions to some big problems. Additional home renovations like ramps, stairlifts, or walk-in baths and showers may also be necessary. (Did you know the greatest number of falls and accidents happen in the bathroom?)

In-Home Care Services

Supplementary in-home care is a great way to help seniors remain independent as they "age in place" in the comfort of their own home. In-home care services can assist seniors with daily activities such as:

• light housekeeping
• medication reminders
• grocery shopping trips and meal preparation
• transportation to medical appointments
• companion care services

In addition, if family caregivers have been involved, respite care can give them a much-needed break, alleviate the tension that may brew in these relationships, and prevent caregiver burnout.

For guidance selecting a home care service for you or your loved ones, find a CarePatrol Senior advisor near you.

Obviously, living at home means normal bills must continue to be paid (e.g. taxes, electric, water and sewage, maintenance, food, etc.) Once the required number of hours of help and supervision reaches a certain cost level, it may be time to consider a move to a facility. At this point, there are two choices: assisted living and nursing home. For the vast majority of people, assisted living is probably the very best option. Let's take a closer look.

Assisted Living Facilities with Personal Care

If your loved one needs extra support to prevent injury or manage an illness or chronic conditions, it may be time to leave home and tour an assisted living facility near you.

Good assisted living communities not only offer lovely apartments (usually a studio or one-bedroom size) but also provide delicious meals and interesting activities as part of their elder care plans. They have nursing staff on hand responsible for all the care needs of their residents. Some are large communities with 60, 80, or more residents, and some are small homes with no more than seven. There are pros and cons for each of these types, so we often recommend looking into both.

Prices for assisted living vary greatly, but in general, smaller rooms and fewer care needs mean cheaper pricing.  The opposite is true as well: a larger room and greater care need mean a higher price.  Prices in Richmond range from $1,500 to $8,000 per month, with the average falling in the $4,500 range. Still, this price is half that of an average nursing home.

It’s important to make sure that the communities you visit are not only appropriate but have a good care history as well. At CarePatrol, we check the state violation histories of each community. We can also provide “insider information” that comes from the many families we’ve helped over the years.  We find this to be a valuable source of quality, firsthand insight.

In addition to attentive assistance with daily tasks like dressing and bathing from professional caregivers, an assisted living facility can also offer specialized memory care services for those with Alzheimer's or dementia. (Routines featuring familiar social outings and structured activities have been proven to help dementia.)

For safe and affordable senior living solutions for your parent or other loved one, turn to CarePatrol. Our services are free for you, as we are paid by tens of thousands of quality pre-vetted health care providers across the nation.

CarePatrol Assists Seniors and Family Members with Compassionate Care Options

At CarePatrol, we believe seniors and their families should stay involved in health care decisions. We respect your agency and autonomy, and we work closely with every one of our clients and providers to keep seniors safe and smiling.

As you navigate these complex decisions for you and your loved ones in their golden years, we're right by your side. Get peace of mind and know your loved one is receiving the support and care needed to maintain a great quality of life.

For help exploring conveniently-located senior care service options that fit your needs and your budget, contact us now.