When an aging parent begins to need more assistance, you and your family may start to consider additional care options. While many care and lifestyle choices are available, families have to first decide between two broader options: community care and in-home care.

While both are valuable options that provide support and assistance to older adults, senior living communities and home care services differ in many ways. To know which is right for your aging parent, it’s best to understand these differences and what each option offers to compare them to your parent’s needs, goals, and preferences. 

HarborChase Senior Living has independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities throughout the United States. We’re taking a look at the differences between community care and home care and how to determine which could be best for your family. 

Supporting Goals

Senior Living Community 

Community care offers a full-time, residential living space for older adults. Our HarborChase Senior Living communities resemble a high-end resort, with communal areas and private rooms. Our communities also have the added features of planned activities, maintenance, and on-site medical care. 

Senior living communities accommodate adults with a wide variety of needs, offering round-the-clock support with activities of daily living, like mobility, eating, or grooming. 

In-Home Care

Unlike senior living communities, in-home care offers one-on-one support at home. A caregiver, or multiple caregivers, will visit on a set schedule (a few hours a day, a few days a week, etc.) and assist with home maintenance, food preparation, and other non-medical needs. 

Socialization

Getting enough interaction, connection, and socialization is extremely important for older adults. Both in-home and community care offer outlets for socialization, just in different ways. 

Senior Living Community 

A senior living community, like HarborChase, offers many opportunities for socialization. Since it is communal living, residents can connect with their neighbors, participate in group programs and activities, join other residents for meals, and get to know the associates. In addition, there are multiple daily chances for socialization through fitness classes, community events, and clubs and groups based on interests. 

In-Home Care

A home caregiver can offer socialization in a more one-on-one setting. They can provide companionship to older adults by playing games with them, sharing stories, and getting to know them on a more personal level. 

Comfort and Ease

Senior Living Community 

While it can certainly be a significant transition to move into a senior living community, these spaces are designed to make life as easy as possible for residents. They offer full support, dining options, and daily activities. Senior living communities also are known for their ease of living, providing maintenance, repairs, and other convenient services like on-site salons, stores, and transportation options. 

In-Home Care

In-home care has the added benefit of allowing the senior to age in place in the comfort and familiarity of their own home. This familiar setting can be especially beneficial to those with dementia. The downside to aging in place, however, is that sometimes the upkeep of a house can become too much for an older adult. While some in-home caregivers offer basic housekeeping or laundry services, many do not assist with home repairs or landscaping. 

Cost

Senior Living Community 

Senior living communities may appear more costly at first, but they could be more cost-effective after considering your parent’s monthly expenses. This is because these communities tend to be inclusive, meaning that everything from rent and meals to activities and additional services are included in their pricing structure. So when compared to what your parent usually spends on living, home maintenance, and any other leisure activities, these costs could end up being equivalent. 

In-Home Care

In-home care can vary significantly in price, depending on how often you will need a caregiver. For example, it can be cost-effective if you think your family member will only need a caregiver to visit a few hours a week. However, these costs can add up as your family member requires more and more assistance, is unable to care for their home, or is looking for more opportunities to connect with others.

What’s Best for Your Family?

Ultimately, choosing between community care and home care comes down to knowing your aging parent’s needs, desires, and preferences. HarborChase Senior Living offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care services at luxury communities throughout the United States. Our welcoming communities create a vibrant lifestyle for older adults looking to make the most of their retirement.

For more information on our communities and to discover if they could be right for you or a family member, visit our website!