Assisted living or home care? This is the question you may someday be asking yourself, and when you do you will see that selecting a type senior care is not easy. The two major types of senior care, assisted living and home care, have very different offerings so it is important to look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Assisted Living

Assisted living is a type of senior care that serves a specific group of seniors, particularly seniors who need assistance with some daily tasks, but are not looking for daily medical assistance. Seniors live at an assisted living community in separate or shared rooms, and generally participate as part of a community routine. Communities often provide transportation, housekeeping, laundry, and some healthcare services.

Assisted living facilities are designed for the mobility and safety of residents, and to be cost efficient in providing support and assistance. Residents in assisted living have less privacy and autonomy. Seniors may also experience emotional distress in the transition of leaving their homes and families.

Home Care

Home care is a type of elder care for seniors who would like assistance in daily tasks, but would like to do so in their own homes. Home care costs vary depending on the level of assistance needed. Care is often paid for by the hour and by type of care provided: housekeeping, personal assistance, or medical assistance. Adult day care is a separate service for seniors who need supervision during work hours and is often provides recreational and social opportunities.

With this type of care, married seniors can receive care in place, preventing a move to a community when their spouses do not need care. In-home care allows seniors to more freely choose their schedules and is more private and comfortable, however this style of care may be intrusive or burdensome on other family members.

Costs and Coverage

Assisted living is typically more affordable than in home care and the all-inclusive fee often covers most bases: housing and utilities, food, daily assistance, and recreation and social opportunities. Assisted living Medicare benefits are limited to few medically-necessary health services. Assisted living Medicaid benefits include some health and support services, but room and board is generally not accepted.

Home care is generally more costly than assisted living. However, because home care is paid on an hourly-basis and costs can vary widely based on type and duration of care provided. Regardless, home care costs only cover services and do not include room and board, or many other amenities provided in assisted living. Medicare and Medicaid cover some home care services, and Medicaid covers some adult day services; however coverage with both Medicare and Medicaid is limited and varies by state.

Costs and amenities are yearly estimates based on 2009 national averages by the MetLife Market Survey of Long-Term Care Costs. Level of care, amenities, floor plan, location and other factors may determine a higher or lower cost.

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