Benefits of Aging in Place vs Assisted Living for Seniors
Home is where many of us feel most at ease. Therefore, it’s easy to see why many seniors choose to remain there as they age instead of transitioning to an assisted living facility.
A recent AARP survey revealed that 77% of adults over 50 wanted to continue living in their homes, and 79% wished to stay in their communities.
Clearly, aging in place is a goal for many seniors who want to maintain their independence in familiar surroundings. However, assisted living vs home care is a big decision.
In-home care requires a deep level of preparation so that it’s safe and manageable, especially for seniors with healthcare concerns. As a caregiver or family member, you can help your loved one work toward this goal with a few practical adjustments.
In this guide, our team at Shower Bay will discuss the differences between assisted living vs home care. We’ll also outline four essential steps to support seniors in aging happily in their own homes, covering personal health, support networks, transportation, and home safety improvements like portable showers.
The Difference Between Assisted Living vs Home Care
Assisted living vs home care often comes down to personal preferences, needs, and financial considerations.
Assisted Living
24-Hour Care and Assistance
In assisted living communities, seniors have access to round-the-clock care. This includes assistance with personal tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication management—which can be particularly beneficial for seniors with mobility or memory challenges.
This can be a great option for families with limited availability who may appreciate the reassurance that this constant care provides.
Social Activities and Engagement
A recent Medicare survey found that 57% of seniors feel lonely. If this is a concern, it may be worth exploring the option of assisted living for your loved one.
Many assisted living facilities offer scheduled social activities designed to keep seniors active and connected. Activities like exercise classes, group outings, and game nights help seniors stay engaged with their peers.
Senior-Friendly Room Design
Assisted living communities focus on making daily routines as easy and safe as possible for seniors. Their rooms are typically equipped with ADA-compliant bathing and living amenities, such as grab bars, walk-in showers, and wider doorways, all designed to accommodate mobility challenges.
Costs of Assisted Living
Adult care homes offer many benefits, but they also can come with higher costs. On average, these facilities cost around $4,500 in the United States, according to the National Council on Aging.
These costs vary by location and level of care, but they often include services like meals, personal care, and housekeeping.
Why Most Seniors Opt Out of Assisted Living
As great as these assisted living homes can be, most seniors opt to remain at home due to financial limitations or personal preferences. Staying at home allows seniors to remain in familiar surroundings, which is often an additional key factor in their decisions.
In fact, A Place for Mom recently released statistics indicating that only about 2% of seniors over 65 reside in assisted living communities. This highlights how the desire to stay in familiar surroundings often outweighs the perceived advantages of assisted living for many seniors.
Home Care
Customized Services
In-home care offers tailored assistance for seniors, ranging from help with daily tasks like cooking and cleaning to medication management. Caregivers can adjust their services based on the specific needs of the individual, providing a flexible option for aging in place.
For instance, as seniors’ health changes over time, this customization ensures they receive just the right amount of support.
The Impact on Family and Friends
While home care is convenient for seniors, it often increases the burden on family members and friends, who may have to take on additional caregiving responsibilities. This emotional and physical strain can lead to feelings of overwhelm and stress.
But caregiving doesn’t need to fall entirely on loved ones. There are various support options available that can ease the strain. Families may want to consider additional resources like professional caregivers or respite care to share the responsibility.
Adapting the Home for Senior Safety
As more seniors stay at home, more remodelers are getting requests for senior-friendly upgrades to improve safety and ease of living.
Popular requests include installing grab bars, walk-in showers, and ramps to enhance safety and ease of movement throughout the home. These upgrades can be costly upfront, but they are still relatively more affordable than the monthly expenses associated with assisted living facilities.
Balancing Costs and Care Needs
Home care costs can vary widely depending on the level of care required. While typically more affordable than assisted living, it’s essential to weigh the financial commitment against the senior’s specific health needs and long-term goals.
Ultimately, the choice between assisted living vs home care will depend on the senior’s desire for independence, their health needs, and the financial resources available.
If your loved one is choosing to stay in their home, changes will likely need to be made to mimic the convenience and safety of assisted living facilities. Let’s discuss four crucial steps to assist with this.
4 Tips for In-Home Caregivers to Help Seniors Age in Place
If you or your loved one are committed to at-home care, here are a handful of preparation steps you can take to have a more manageable and smooth experience as a caregiver:
1. Maintain Personal Care and Health
Caring for the elderly can be incredibly rewarding. However, it certainly comes with its own set of challenging emotional and physical demands.
Juggling daily tasks like health needs, emotional support, and medication management isn’t easy. As a result, caregivers often neglect their own health while focusing on their loved ones. A 2023 report found that nearly 70% of family caregivers struggle to balance their caregiving duties with their professional lives.
Taking care of yourself is essential when you carry this type of responsibility. By prioritizing your own health, you’ll have more energy, a clearer mind, and a better ability to care for your loved one. You’ll also be better equipped to avoid caregiver burnout.
Simple steps like scheduling your own regular checkups, eating balanced meals, and getting light exercise can make a big difference.
2. Build a Strong Support Network
While one-on-one care for seniors can be taxing, you don’t have to carry this burden alone. Building a caregiving network can provide much-needed support and relief.
Consider Additional Senior Support
Start by reaching out to trusted family members, friends, or neighbors who may be able to assist with tasks or check-ins, even if it’s just for emergencies.
Moreover, you can connect with local senior services that offer meal deliveries, transportation, or even companionship programs. Setting up a daily check-in system, whether through a quick call, video chat, or visit, can offer peace of mind when you use these services.
Support for You
Joining caregiver support groups or using therapy services can make a huge difference in managing the emotional strain of caregiving. These groups often offer practical advice from others in similar situations, helping you learn coping strategies or new ways to care for your loved one.
Regular therapy sessions or online counseling can also provide a safe space to process feelings of stress or overwhelm. If in-person groups aren’t available, there are many online forums and virtual support communities where you can connect with others who understand your challenges.
Some local agencies and nonprofits also offer free workshops, giving you tools and strategies to balance caregiving with personal self-care.
3. Arrange Safe and Reliable Transportation
Unlike at most assisted living facilities, seniors living at home likely won’t have all of their needs in one place. This means they’ll need access to transportation as they maintain their independence.
However, driving isn’t an option for many seniors. The CDC reports that drivers over the age of 70 have higher crash death rates than middle-aged drivers, and many are no longer confident in their abilities to steer and navigate solo.
If this is the case, we recommend that senior caregivers:
Explore Public Transportation Options
Many seniors can no longer drive due to vision or mobility issues, but reliable transportation remains key to their independence. Research local public transportation services that cater to seniors. Some areas also have discounted or specialized transport options for older adults.
Set Up Ride-Share Accounts
For seniors who aren’t comfortable with public transportation, ride-share services like Uber or Lyft can be helpful for grocery shopping or other activities. Create an account for them and show them how to request rides when needed. Many ride-share apps also offer phone-based support for seniors who don’t use smartphones.
Arrange for Family or Friends to Assist
In some cases, having a family member or friend available to drive to appointments, grocery stores, or social events is the best solution.
4. Improve Home Safety
Creating a safe daily living environment should be a priority. Let’s go over some practical modifications, such as installing grab bars, portable showers, and clearing tripping hazards, to reduce the risk of accidents.
Install Grab Bars and Handrails
Falls are the leading cause of injury in seniors 65 and over, according to the CDC. They can result in serious injuries like broken hips or head trauma.
Simple fixes around the home can make a big difference—installing grab bars in bathrooms or hallways gives seniors added stability, especially in areas prone to slips. Adding handrails on staircases and even outside steps is another easy way to help prevent falls and keep your loved one safe.
Remove Tripping & Slipping Hazards
Look through the home and check for anything that could cause a fall, like loose rugs, clutter, or tangled cords. Keep pathways clear and well-lit to make moving around easier.
Even simple changes like securing rugs or moving furniture can go a long way in preventing accidents. These small steps can create a safer environment and reduce the risk of injury, especially in high-traffic areas like hallways and bathrooms.
Speaking of bathrooms, the National Institute on Aging reports that 80% of senior falls happen in these spaces due to slippery floors and surfaces. Consider adding non-slip mats and additional grab bars in strategic areas to reduce your loved one’s risk.
Consider a Portable Shower Home Health Aide
For many seniors, stepping into a traditional bathtub or shower can be dangerous. Slippery surfaces and high tub walls make it easy to lose balance, increasing the risk of serious falls or injuries. Even minor mobility issues can turn everyday tasks like bathing into a major safety concern.
As stated in this 2023 study, the rates of mobility disability increased from 1.0% in people aged 15–24 to 20.6% in adults over 65 years of age. As a result, there’s a significant chance your loved one may experience minor, moderate, or severe mobility challenges in the coming years.
A portable shower, like Shower Bay’s Portable Wheelchair Shower, offers a hassle-free, ADA-compliant solution that doesn’t require remodeling. It can be easily set up in any room, ensuring your loved one has a safe, accessible way to maintain hygiene.
Final Thoughts
Aging in place is about maintaining (and often improving) quality of life. With the right support, your senior loved one can do just that—safely and happily. Proper planning ensures that your loved one enjoys their independence and stays comfortable in their own home.
By focusing on personal health, building a strong support network, arranging reliable transportation, and improving home safety, you can do just that.
Want to Improve Your Senior’s Safety – Without Remodeling?
At Shower Bay, we make safe, portable wheelchair showers designed specifically for seniors and individuals with mobility challenges. Our ADA-compliant shower and wheelchair are easy to set up and require no home renovations, making bathing safer and more accessible.
We understand that assisted living isn’t the right choice for everyone, and we’re committed to improving the well-being of seniors through simple shower accommodations. Contact Us today to learn more or ask specific questions.
