Caring for a loved one as they age is challenging. It can be difficult to balance your own needs and the needs of an aging family member, especially as their health deteriorates. When debating whether to send a loved one to a professional assisted living care or to keep them at home, it's important to consider the pros and cons of both options. In this article, we're going to compare the benefits of aging in place vs. assisted living when caring for seniors in Orange County.
What is Aging in Place?
Aging in place refers to the ability of older adults to remain living in their own homes, as opposed to moving into a nursing home or assisted living. Many elderly people are reluctant or unable to relocate from their surroundings, and they would rather stay in familiar spaces. By providing support and resources such as mobility aids, healthcare services, and transportation assistance, aging in place can help older adults maintain their independence and autonomy as they grow older. Ultimately, the goal of this concept is to help seniors age safely with dignity and maintain their quality of life for as long as possible.
What are the Benefits of Aging in Place?
Aging in place has many benefits for elderly individuals and their families. These benefits include things like maintaining a sense of independence, staying closer to family, and cost savings. Let’s dive into these a bit further:
Maintaining independence
Aging in place can help seniors maintain their independence and autonomy. Rather than having to move into an assisted living or nursing home, they can safely stay in the familiar surroundings of their own homes, where they are able to live a largely self-directed life.
Staying closer to friends and family
Aging in place also allows seniors to have greater access to their neighbors, friends and family members, who may be able to provide valuable support and companionship as needed.
Cost savings
Finally, aging in place can help save money for both the elderly individual and his or her family, as the cost of moving, paying for the assisted living home, and essentially hiring round-the-clock care providers is often much higher than the costs of staying at home. The average cost to live in a care facility in Orange County is $5,250 per month, which is beyond what many families can afford.
Whether you are considering aging in place for yourself or your aging loved ones, it is clear that this type of aging offers many practical and emotional benefits.
What are the Benefits of Assisted Living Homes?
For many elderly people, their care needs are intensive and constant. For these individuals, assisted living can provide much-needed support and care. Assisted living offers custodial and skilled care, social stimulation, and peace of mind for families near and far.
Skilled care
If your loved one has care needs beyond what you can safely manage, assisted living can be a good option. These homes can provide assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and eating. They also typically offer medication management and access to nurses or other medical professionals.
Social activities
In addition, many assisted living homes offer social activities and opportunities for engaging with other residents. This can help to reduce isolation and promote a sense of community. As a result, assisted living homes can be an excellent option for elderly people who need some extra support.
Peace of mind
Many assisted living homes also have staff on hand 24 hours a day to provide assistance in case of an emergency. This can give families peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are being well-cared for when they can't be around.
Closing Thoughts
No one wants to think about their loved ones growing old and requiring more care, but the fact is that it happens to all of us. Making the decision about what’s best for a loved one can be difficult. If you are a caregiver in Orange County who is struggling to balance the needs of your loved one, please reach out to us. We would be happy to provide you with information on our Center and the many services we offer.
Additional Reading: How to Get Paid to Be a Caregiver
If you are a caregiver, we recommend you check out our article about getting paid to be a family caregiver. Becoming a caregiver is expensive–out-of-pocket costs average in the thousands each year for a family caregiver. The state of California offers several paths to receiving at least subsidized assistance, so click here to learn more about how to get paid to be a caregiver.
For further reading and resources, we invite you to check out our library of information for family caregivers byclicking here. You are also welcome to call us at 800-543-8312 to find out more about how we can support you in your caregiving journey.