When considering the best senior living options with a loved one, families often evaluate the costs and value of an assisted living community vs. care at home. While it’s common to need a helping hand as we grow older, how and where it is received can significantly contribute to quality of life.
However, care should also be taken to avoid mistaken assumptions when making this important choice. Remaining at home is not always the most affordable, especially when comparing the cost of services and amenities that contribute to a high quality of life. The level and value of attention and activities provided in a community often exceed what can be replicated at home.
Another feature that can make a significant difference is how assisted living services are delivered. Individuals in independent living communities may be required to move into a dedicated assisted living building. Unfortunately, this can mean making another move while leaving behind the familiarity of trusted staff and deeply held friendships.
When considering the assisted living option, communities that provide assisted living as a service can greatly encourage your loved one’s quality of daily life. For example, residents at Bruceville Point live in spacious independent living apartments, enjoying full-sized spaces that support their full-sized lives. If the time comes when they need a helping hand, we bring the services to them. They maintain their personal routine while remaining in their home – and appreciate the friendly faces of a well-known staff, favorite activities and treasured friendships.
The cost of assisted living vs. at-home care
The following features contribute to an enriched life for an older adult. These are typically included in the monthly assisted living fee.
When creating a plan for at-home care, you will need to budget each of these items separately for an accurate comparison of costs:
- An accessible home: Factor in associated costs, such as mortgage or rental payments, property taxes, insurance, upkeep and maintenance, and any renovations needed to create an age-friendly home.
- Assistance with daily tasks: Calculate the hours of service the family can provide and what will be required from a home care agency. Multiply those hours by the agency’s hourly rate.
- Healthy dining options: Budget for food and meal preparation. Include if homecare or other food delivery companies will be providing these services.
- Planned activities and social events: Choose various activities and ways your loved one can socially interact and remain engaged. Budget for these expenses, including transportation if required.
- Opportunities to meet and make new friends: Maintaining a strong social network is essential to physical and cognitive health. You’ll need to explore and budget for options to meet new people.
- Fitness classes or exercises: Maintaining fitness is beneficial for not only physical health but also cognitive well-being. Research and budget for the costs of recreation centers or gyms.
- Scheduled transportation: Calculate the costs of public transportation or ride-sharing programs for appointments, shopping, or entertainment. Estimate hours needed and subtract those times when family can provide rides.
- Safety and security elements: Safety issues become a priority as we grow older. If additional features need to be included to create a safer home, add those costs here.
Download our complimentary guide,
Staying Home vs. Senior Living.
The value of assisted living vs. receiving care at home
To achieve a high quality of life, cost considerations beyond financial should be taken into account. Many families don’t realize the trade-offs until after making a decision.
Take a moment to consider the following costs of remaining at home and the values that senior living communities such as Bruceville Point can deliver:
The value of independence and autonomy
Remaining at home: Relying on family and friends can make older adults feel burdensome and rob their feelings of self-worth and independence.
At Bruceville Point: We designed our community to support residents to freely make choices about all aspects of how they will live their lives.
The value of social interaction
Remaining at home: Isolation and loneliness can frequently occur when living at home, especially if meeting new people or participating in activities is difficult.
At Bruceville Point: Our community plans multiple social events, with the input of our residents, to create several opportunities for gatherings.
The value of expertise
Remaining at home: Older adults may pay the cost of compromise as few families are experts at what’s needed, such as cooking, planning activities, fitness, caregiving, or making friends.
At Bruceville Point: A great benefit our community offers is the expertise of those we hire to make life more fulfilling, engaged and fun.
The value of reliable care
Remaining at home: Financing full-time agency care is cost-prohibitive for most, so families must rely on each other to fill in any gaps. This can be difficult, especially during the nighttime hours.
At Bruceville Point: Our staff is professionally trained and available 24/7 so there is always someone there when needed. Our assisted living is a service, not a place, and we deliver those services discreetly to the resident’s home – meaning there is no need to move or disrupt daily life.
The value of relief from care responsibilities
Remaining at home: Adult children may find themselves juggling responsibilities for their parents, children and careers. Even with agency care, someone has to coordinate the schedule.
At Bruceville Point: Our staff is professionally trained and available 24/7 so there is always someone there when needed. Our assisted living is a service, not a place, and we deliver those services discreetly to the resident’s home – meaning there is no need to move or disrupt daily life.
The value of spontaneity and adventures
Remaining at home: Growing older often deprives a person of confidence as worries increase about falling or becoming ill. Loss of spontaneity can create monotony.
At Bruceville Point: Our Adventures and Events team, working with residents and their ideas, creates a variety of exceptional and exhilarating options.
The value of family roles and relationships
Remaining at home: When older adults stay at home, the roles of parents and children often switch, as caregiving becomes a priority. This isn’t a positive experience for either side.
At Bruceville Point: We provide the care and support your loved one needs so time spent with family is enjoyable and fulfilling. We also encourage family members to participate in activities in the community as well.
Discover Life at Tenfold’s Bruceville Point
We created Bruceville Point to support our residents to live their best lives possible. Our community’s design, residences, activities and amenities are all focused on helping to connect, engage and create an enriched life.
If you’re searching for senior living that is different from the rest, we hope you will consider Tenfold’s Bruceville Point. We invite you to download our complimentary guide Staying Home vs. Senior Living. Contact us to speak to an advisor, or schedule your tour of Bruceville Point today to experience senior living and our community for yourself.
