As you get older, you get to live through a lot of amazing experiences besides becoming wiser. However, old age comes with challenges of its own. As a result, you might not be able to enjoy the independence or autonomy that you previously enjoyed in your heydays. Due to limited mobility, poor vision or memory loss, older adults often require an extra hand to carry out everyday activities like cooking, washing their clothes and even toileting in some cases. You have the choice of Assisted Living vs. in-home care to assist older adults for the sake of their health and safety.
Both options have a unique set of benefits concerning securing older adults. This article delves into a comprehensive comparison of the two to determine which is better for your loved one.
Fall Prevention
Falls pose the greatest danger to older adults after a deteriorating immunity. Assisted Living communities tend to have the edge over in-home living care in this regard. To begin, the living space in most homes is often quite limited, making older adults more susceptible to falls.
The same cannot be said for Assisted Living communities which are spacious to accommodate the needs of the elderly. Apart from that, these communities have fall prevention programs in place as well as workout programs that are adequate in curbing falls.
Health Check
Assisted Living communities have in-house experts who specialize in providing quality medical assistance to residents. Other than that, the team of caregivers is always on standby to remind residents to take their medication on time.
Assisted Living communities also focus on preparing nutritious meals for the elderly, guaranteeing healthier bodies. On the flip side, individuals who live alone do not have someone to check on their health or remind them about taking medications. Again, setbacks like poor vision and memory loss can make it hard for them to maintain a healthy diet.
Fire Hazard
The risk of fire hazards is much higher in in-home care as compared to Assisted Living communities. It is largely because a designated caregiver may not always be present for in-home care. That means the elderly may be in real trouble in the event of a fire. Contrarily, Assisted Living communities have numerous caregivers and security teams that can move older adults to safety or put out fires in good time.
Emergency Readiness
Emergency readiness is a crucial factor to consider when thinking about the safety of older adults. Once again, Assisted Living seems to have an advantage. Older adults residing in these communities live under the watchful eye of well-trained caregivers who can help them during emergencies. On the other hand, elderly folks living alone at home may not have someone to guide them to safety or call for an ambulance if anything goes south.
Assisted Living or In-Home Care?
Choosing to live alone at home is beneficial in the sense that older adults do not have to struggle with the inconvenience that comes with moving or getting used to a new environment. However, it is not the best option when it comes to safety. Assisted Living communities offer the best level of security thanks to professional caregivers who are always present to tend to their needs.
