The ads on television are insistent: choose this home care program to help your loved one.
And, certainly, everyone wants to remain at home as long as possible, but circumstances sometimes make that unlikely. Your choice—or the choice of a loved one—can therefore be difficult.
Do you choose to remain at home, because you don’t need an extensive amount of care, or do you decide to move and choose a personal care community (assisted living in Maryland)? The correct answer is not always the same for everyone; in fact, the answer typically depends on a number of factors:
● Personal preference. Some older adults want to remain in their homes as long as possible, so they choose home care by default. However, as care needs increase, this choice may necessitate a later move to personal care. By considering options before a need arises, you can help to ensure you don’t need to make a more difficult decision at the last moment.
● Abilities and needs. In-home care can cover only so many of a senior’s needs. As care needs increase in complexity, more intensive personal care may be necessary.
● Finances. Many older adults believe in-home care is less costly than personal care. At times, this is true. However, the more care you need, the more prices can rise, decreasing financial stability.
● Isolation. Many people choose personal care for the variety of social opportunities. Older adults who remain at home may spend the majority of their time alone, causing them to fell isolated or even become depressed. At personal care communities, this is rarely an issue and there may be additional benefits as well:
○ Personal care communities allow seniors to take advantage of programming and activities, social opportunities and more, helping them to stay engaged and connected to the things they love most.
○ In a personal care community, older adults don’t need to worry about maintenance, housekeeping or yard work because everything is included. Residents don’t have to worry about shoveling the sidewalk when it snows or raking leaves in the fall; they simply spend more time doing what they want to do.
○ Personal care communities offer regular transportation, not only to physician appointments but also to restaurants, the grocery store and a wide range of events.
At Diakon Senior Living, we would be happy to discuss the differences between personal care and in-home care, helping you to make an informed decision.
Melissa Stanton, Independent Living & Personal Care – Sales & Marketing Manager
Cumberland Crossings
