Advantages of Assisted Living Over Home Care

Advantages of Assisted Living Over Home Care

It’s often said that there is no place like home, but what if you could no longer appreciate and love your home? What if staying at home decreases the quality of life that you wanted for yourself as you aged? When it gets harder to stay at home and you are edging closer to the need of home care, consider assisted living. You just might find that home is where you make it.

“There are a continuum of advantages that an assisted living community can offer that regular home health care cannot,” according to Edward Toy, Director of Sales and Marketing at Lions Gate, a continuing care retirement community in Voorhees, New Jersey. “Not only is assisted living helpful when it comes to security, services and wellness, but it is especially beneficial in the ways of a senior’s social life,”Ed adds. ”While home care makes them comfortable in the place they are most familiar with, assisted living gives them the chance to build relationships and friendships with people around them in a time where they most often feel isolated and depressed.”

Many experts agree that living in a community can help to give families peace-of-mind and give seniors the fulfilling lifestyle that they worked hard for and are deserving of. Argentum – formerly the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) – states that, “High-quality senior living communities offer the latest amenities, privacy, comfort, and beautifully decorated home-inspired environments for seniors.” All of this and more are what make assisted living communities so beneficial to those we love most.

ADVANTAGES OF ASSISTED LIVING OVER HOME CARE

1. 24-hour security. Assisted living communities are there to keep your loved one safe and protected during emergencies. Many communities include response systems that can help to ensure that they have help at the press of a button anytime they need it. Know that they will never be alone.
2. Access to medical services. Many communities have medical services available when needed on site and if not, many can coordinate visits if needed without ever having to leave.
3. Wellness programs. Assisted living is well known for providing many activities for seniors such as fitness clubs, outings and health programs. With home care, it can sometime be difficult to take advantage of these benefits due to limited mobility. At communities, there are staff members on hand to assist anyone who needs it.
4. Social activities. A main advantage that assisted living has over home care is the opportunity for socialization. By providing clubs and activities for seniors to do, their need to communicate is fulfilled and they can, in turn, be happier and healthier.
5. Meals, laundry and housekeeping. All of the things that can be hard for seniors to do will be taken care of at an assisted living community. Meals can be tailored to meet their needs and they will not have to bother with laundry or housekeeping.
6. Memory care. Many of these communities have memory care facilities on site or have them close by so that if diseases progress or heath declines, your loved one will not have to move again. This will make life easier for you and help to keep them relaxed and comfortable.

WHEN TO CONSIDER SWITCHING FROM HOME CARE

“Whether or not you choose to go to an assisted living community right away, there may be a time when you will need to consider it,” states Ed. “When health begins to deteriorate, home care may become unmanageable. At this point, the advantages of assisted living over staying in the home become even more obvious.” According to an article by Livestrong.org, you should begin to consider relocating when:

• There begin to be limitations in physical health. When health begins to deteriorate and they can no longer do things for themselves, such as walking, dressing or eating, know that those who work in assisted living communities are there to help. They will take care of your loved one and help them to stay as independent as possible for as long as possible.
• Mental disorders occur. Are signs of depression or anxiety appearing? Home care can sometimes make depression worse because of the lack of communication and socialization. These communities have many programs available so that residents can find something they are interested in and bond with those who share the same interests.
• Medication management is needed. If medicines are needed to be distributed through an IV and you are unable to give them their medicines as they need them, assisted living may be a good option as they can provide these services. Home care can make it difficult to administer these medicines as needed.
• You can no longer meet their needs. If you are in need of a break from home care, having difficulty managing your own affairs or have little help when you need it, it may be best for your loved one to move.

LET LIONS GATE HELP YOU

“At Lions Gate, we know how important it is for your loved one to feel like they are at home. Our Assisted Living community has apartments with plenty of space for you to add all of your special touches to make it feel just like home,” Ed states. Our residents can take advantage of all of our enriching services and amenities while you enjoy the peace of mind knowing they are safe and happy. If you are not sure if getting care at home or if assisted living is best for your loved one, let us help you. Call or visit us today.