Your senior parents need help.
You know it. They probably know it, although they may not want to admit it.
They may be having problems with:
- Chronic illness or disease, such as high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol or diabetes
- Declining physical ability, such as vision, hearing, balance or walking
- Home safety
- Home maintenance and repairs
- Taking their medication accurately
- Transportation
- Dressing
- Cooking
- Bathing
- Doctors’ visits
With this in mind, you may be considering getting extra help for your aging parent.
The question is: Should you choose home care or an assisted living community? What’s the difference, anyway? Get answers to these questions and more below.
Adult Children Take on Caregiving
Most adult children initially try their best to take care of their parents’ needs. However, you have limited time and resources. You have a job, children, spouse, community responsibilities, and a home that needs regular maintenance.
Eventually, it becomes too much, because your parent needs more care than you can offer.
All too often, adult children feel guilty because they can’t meet their parents’ growing needs. You shouldn’t, though. After all, you weren’t trained to be a caregiver.
Related: What’s Life Like in an Assisted Living Community?
What Do You Do When Your Parents Need Help?
It’s time to research the best options for your parents, your children and spouse, and you. First, consider the costs of living at home versus assisted living.
Costs of Living at Home Versus Assisted Living
Genworth Financial has estimated the monthly costs of various types of care in the Columbus, Ohio, area for 2019.
Homemaker Services…………….$4,624
Home Health Aide…………………$4,624
vs.
Assisted Living………………………$3,945
Adult Day Health Care……………$1,517
To accurately compare the numbers, add up everything your loved one currently pays. If your parent lives in their own home, make sure to consider the following expenses as you calculate their monthly costs.
- Mortgage/Rent
- Property taxes
- Property/Renters’ insurance
- Assessments
- Property maintenance and repair
- Appliance maintenance/repair/replacement
- Transportation/vehicle cost (repair, gas, maintenance)
- Utilities (electric, gas, water, sewer, phone, trash)
Consider that if your parents live with you, you’ll likely be responsible for all of the above.
Psychological Aspects of Parents Living at Home versus Assisted Living
The American Psychological Association states that caregivers frequently experience the following:
- Stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Problems at work
- Relationship stress
- Reduced quality of life
- Financial strain
Taking care of a loved one, though a noble endeavor, can be stressful on both you and the rest of your family. It takes time and money to do it properly, and you may be strapped for one or both.
Related: How Is Transportation Handled in Assisted Living?
Health Aspects of Living at Home versus Assisted Living
All the emotional and other stress would be worth it, though, if your parents are happier and healthier at home.
However, some research indicates assisted living is safer, and residents are happier and healthier than living at home, whether with an adult child or not. Studies show the benefits of living in an assisted living community include:
- Increased physical activity and fitness
- Socialization
- Safer living environment, including on-site healthcare and emergency response systems
- Intellectual stimulation
- Nutritious meals
- Housekeeping and linen service
- No maintenance/repair
- Transportation provided
- Help with activities of daily living, such as dressing, medication reminders, and hygiene
- Regular monitoring for physical and mental well-being
In assisted living communities like Cranberry Park, your parents will have a plethora of activities available to them at any time. They’ll be able to go to as many or as few activities as they’d like, and our Activities Director is on hand to help navigate your parent through them all.
THE OPTALIS DIFFERENCE
Because all Optalis communities also offer skilled nursing, we provide additional services, such as on-site emergency care, rehabilitation, and medication management.
The Optalis difference is that we provide personalized, uncompromised healthcare that exceeds expectations.
For more information about any of our communities, please contact your preferred center.