Why Assisted Living May Be a Better Choice Than In-Home Care: Key Benefits for Seniors and Their Families

Taking care of a senior who requires assistance is a full-time job, and it can be an extremely overwhelming experience, especially when you have other responsibilities of your own. However, to find the best alternate support for your senior loved one, you are probably weighing the two most popular options i.e., assisted living and in-home care.

While both approaches provide care to seniors, they differ in the level of care and the overall lifestyle they offer. However, when compared side-by-side, assisted living is a better choice for your loved one than in-home care. To help you understand better, in this blog, we have discussed four key benefits that make assisted living a better option for your senior loved one.

4 Key Benefits of Assisted Living For Seniors and Their Families

1. A Safe & Secure Environment

A safe and secure living environment surpasses everything else. As a family member of a senior loved one, you would want your loved one to be safe from all sorts of harm at all times. 

With trained staff members who are round-the-clock available to look after your loved one, assisted care communities create a safe and secure haven for their residents. Moreover, these senior care communities have various safety features integrated, such as emergency call systems, fire and smoke alarms, and secure entry and exit points, which minimizes the risk of accidents. In case of emergencies, your loved one can promptly call for help and receive the needed care.

On the other hand, relying on in-home care comes with the biggest safety drawback. Since in-home care nurses or staff are not available 24/7, your loved one will have limited access to quick assistance, especially for emergencies that occur outside of regular caregiving hours. In addition to that, most homes lack the safety features integrated into senior care communities. 

Consequently, living in an assisted living community will give you peace of mind, knowing your loved one is safe.

2. A Healthy Social Life

After safety and security, the next big thing for your loved one is their social life. Unfortunately, as most people age, their social life deteriorates and they end up having feelings of isolation. 

Assisted care communities are the best place for your loved one to socialize and interact with like-minded people who live a similar life, allowing them to make new friendships. More importantly, senior care homes offer ample social activities and events like group outings, music festivals, art classes, etc, that will keep your loved one engaged and invested, promoting independence.

In contrast, with home care services, your loved one may spend most of their time at home without any social interaction. Moreover, your loved one will not get to regularly participate in social events which could altogether lead to feelings of loneliness or isolation. 

3. Nutrition and Dining

While in-home caregivers do help seniors with meal planning and preparation, unless they’re providing 24/7 care, they’ll count on your loved one to eat one or two meals daily on their own. Consequently, it is possible for your loved one to miss out on a meal or two when there’s no one to look over.

On the contrary, assisted living communities ensure that every resident eats three times per day in a communal dining setting where they can socialize with their peers. This includes offering various meal options to cater to a broad range of dietary needs and preferences. Therefore, in a care community, your loved one will eat their favorite meal without needing to plan or prepare for themselves. Most importantly, they will have staff members to assist them at all times.

4. Family Education, Involvement, and Ease

There is a misconception among families that if their loved ones move to senior living communities, there won’t be any opportunities to stay in touch except on holidays. However, senior retirement communities often host family events, where you can participate in activities alongside your loved one and spend quality time together.

In addition, assisted senior living makes you the extended family of the community, keeping you informed of how your loved one is doing and providing access to educational resources to help you be there for your loved one. 

With in-home care, there are very few chances for family education. While they will keep you informed on your loved one’s health, you won’t have much involvement beyond that. 

Want a Life Full of Freedom and Support? Explore The Harrison of Stuart Assisted Living & Memory Care 

All in all, assisted living can be a better choice for your loved one in various aspects, including safety and security, socialization opportunities, and proper nutritious meal plans. Moreover, your loved one will have access to 24/7 assistance, ensuring there’s someone to watch over them throughout the day. 

So are you ready to look into assisted living options for your senior loved one? Consider The Harrison of Stuart Assisted Living & Memory Care in Stuart, Florida. Our community prioritizes the safety, comfort, and happiness of our residents, ensuring they feel at home away from home. 

Schedule a tour and explore the warmth and comfort of The Harrison of Stuart Assisted Living & Memory Care on your own!