When an aging parent or spouse needs assistance in their daily life, family members face a tough choice—a senior living community vs. in-home care.
Choosing between the two involves many factors including financial, personal, and your loved one’s state of health. It can be a complex and sometimes heartbreaking decision to make.
As a family-run business, we believe family is everything. Florida’s Best Moving shares what you need to consider when making this important decision. Knowing the facts will help you make the best choice for you and your aging family member.
How to Decide to Age at Home or Move to a Community
Before making any decisions, consider how much help your aging family member needs, and compare that to the help that is already available to them.
When making this important decision, ask yourself:
Is this decision need-based?
Does my loved one need medical care?
Is my loved one independent or in need of 24/7 help?
Do they need more socialization?
Make a list of everything that they need help with on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, and be realistic about how much ongoing help you, your family, or friends will be able to provide.
Consider the financial situation.
Before making a choice, take a hard look at what would work best with your loved one’s budget. Figuring out costs of care is not easy, and is unique to each person’s needs, location, and how much help they have from their family.
Call around and get quotes on pricing from in-home care providers and senior living communities that interest you.
According to Genworth, the national average monthly cost for in-home care in 2020 was $4,481 for 44 hours of nursing and care per week. Assisted living was around $4,300.
When calculating costs, be sure to include at-home care costs such as:
- Hours of care needed x caregiver hourly rate
- Rent or mortgage and property taxes
- Utilities, water, and garbage
- Groceries and meal preparation
- Personal care supplies
- Household supplies
Or assisted living costs:
- Monthly base rate
- Additional fees for the necessary levels of care
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Personal care supplies
- Meals, in-room dining, or snacks
- Overnight visitors
There is much to consider because you are essentially making a financial estimate for the next 5-10 years of your aging loved one’s life. If analyzing and comparing costs of care becomes overwhelming, reach out to a trusted relative or friend for support. A financial adviser or accountant can be a great resource too.
Ready to make a move into a senior living community? Florida’s Best Moving can help! Call us today for a moving quote—813-485-6580!
Misconceptions about Senior Living Communities
For many seniors, moving away from the home where they raised their children, or the dream house that they built with a spouse, is not easy. They may feel that anywhere else will be unfamiliar and uncomfortable, but when the time comes to make a change in living arrangements, you and your family need to know that comfort, familiarity, and peace of mind is possible, it will just take time.
Sometimes senior living communities or assisted living facilities are portrayed as dreary, cold, and depressing with residents giving up their freedom. It could not be further from the truth! Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion about the difference between nursing homes, assisted living communities, and senior living.
Senior Living Options
Understanding the main types of care available is critical to making the right decision for your loved one.
Independent Living
For those seniors who do not require assistance with daily activities or nursing, independent living can be the perfect fit. Housing is usually an apartment, cottage, condo, or even a single-family home.
The perks to living in an independent living community are convenient services, a senior-friendly atmosphere, and ample opportunities for social interaction with other community members.
MORE > Seniors: How to Settle into Your Senior Living Community
Assisted Living
This type of community is where seniors live when they need skilled 24/7 nursing or care. Meals, transportation, medication management, housekeeping, social interactions, etc. are all offered amenities.
This is much more practical and affordable than at-home care and still allows for some freedom and independence.
Memory Care
Designed specifically for seniors dealing with memory conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, these communities include additional care and supervision to keep your loved one safe.
Every detail, from the dining options to the color of the apartments, is well thought out for a memory care resident. This is a long-term care option and requires more of a hands-on approach for activities and care.
At-Home Care
With at-home care, a caregiver is hired to come into the home of your loved one to help them complete daily living tasks. This allows your aging senior to continue living comfortably in their home.
The help provided depends on your loved one’s needs but could include meal preparation, getting around the house, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, taking medication, and transportation.
Plan A Senior Move
If you are planning a move into a senior living community in Tampa Bay, our senior moving experts at Florida’s Best Moving are here to safely transport your belongings to your new home. We can also help you move long distance in case you’d like to move closer to your kids or caregivers.
We will take special care of you and can even pack, unpack, or store items in our storage facility if you don’t have enough room in your senior living space.
Experience a stress-free move with Florida’s Best Moving! Call us at 813-485-6580 or fill out the quote form below. Remember to ask about our 10% OFF Senior Moving Tampa Bay Special!