It’s not always easy to know which option is best for your family, so here are some helpful questions that will help you decide what’s right for you: Do you want someone there 24 hours? Are they likely to wander off if left alone? Does your loved one require around-the-clock supervision? What does your budget look like?
Nursing homes are a great option to ensure that your loved ones receive the care they need as they age. However, if you have elderly parents who still live on their own and want to remain independent, a live-in caregiver might be a better choice.
With the help of experts from HomeTouch Care, in this article, we explore live-in care vs care homes, the benefits, and how they compare.
What is a Care Home?
The term “care home” refers to a place where the elderly or those with disabilities can live and receive round-the-clock care. These are often private facilities that are licensed and insured. They provide personal care, medical care, and supervision to their residents.
Costs vary from home to home. Some nursing homes provide private rooms while others can offer shared rooms. This is important to keep in mind because if a family member is looking for privacy, they may want to choose a private room. Also, not all facilities allow pets in their buildings.
What is Live-In Care? Eligible, Families Choose & Which is Best
Live-in care is a type of home care service that provides in-home support and care 24 hours a day. These caregivers usually live with the family and can assist with personal care tasks such as bathing, and dressing. They can also assist with light housework, meal preparation, and transportation.
They can help with medication reminders and grocery shopping visits. Live-in care services also come in the form of companionship or companionship services. These caregivers are there for human interaction and nothing else.
Who is Eligible?
Care homes are typically for the elderly or geriatric population. In order to qualify for care homes, you must qualify on a set of criteria that will be evaluated by the staff. It’s important to note that once you have been accepted, Medicare can cover a part of the bill for the first 100 days.
After this, other insurance will cover the cost. If you do not have any insurance, you may be required to pay for your entire stay out of pocket. This can be very expensive.
Live-in care is available to any person who has an illness or disability that requires daily care. These caregivers work with the family in order to come up with an appropriate care plan and schedule that works best for everyone involved. There are many live-in care packages available with different levels of care at different rates.
How Do Families Choose?
Families often have trouble choosing between live-in care vs nursing homes, especially if they don’t have their loved one’s wishes written down or if they have not discussed it with them. The first question a family should ask themselves is how long they expect their loved one to need 24/7 care and supervision.
Once they figure out how long they expect their loved one to need this type of service, it will be easier to choose between live-in care vs nursing homes.
If they are looking for a quick solution and do not want to wait until they qualify for Medicare, live-in care might be their best option. If they are looking for a long-term solution and want a more permanent home for their loved one, a care home is more likely their best option.
Remember that most care homes require residents to reside at the facility for an extended period of time. Therefore, it is important to discuss your financial options with a financial planner before making your decision.
Which is Best?
Live-in care services are ideal for elderly or disabled family members who can remain independent. These caregivers provide personal care services to the resident. While this type of service is not ideal for people who require around-the-clock medical attention, Live-in care services is one of the least expensive choices available.
Care homes are a great option for elderly and disabled individuals who might require around-the-clock care and supervision. These facilities can provide lots of amenities, such as transportation, 24-hour staff, and many other things.
They can be very costly, and, depending on the facility, they can be very restrictive. Many of them require residents to reside there for a period of time. This means that if a family member wants to take an extended vacation, they must find an alternative solution during that time.
What is the Difference?
There are many differences between live-in care vs care homes. The cost is one big difference. The cost of live-in care is much lower than the cost of a care home. The cost of a care home depends on the type of care you receive and the level of care that you need.
For example, if you need help with all of your daily activities, but have no medical concerns, you will pay less than someone who requires around-the-clock medical supervision.
Another big difference is safety. Care homes are safer than live-in care because there are many staff members on hand at all times to keep the residents safe and secure. With live-in care, there is always one caregiver on hand, and while they can always call for help if needed, it is always good to know that more people are available in case an emergency does arise.
The Bottom Line:
As you can see, there are pros and cons to both live-in care and care homes. Both of them are perfectly viable ways of caring for your elderly loved ones, however, you’ll have to keep in mind their own needs and state of mind.
While it is true that most of the time, hiring a live-in caregiver is cheaper than a room in a nursing home, this solution is often not covered by the most popular insurance plans, so you’ll have to pay for it out of your own pocket.
On the other hand, if your relative is healthy and well enough to remain at least somewhat independent, sending them to a care home would drastically limit their independence and ability to enjoy their retirement.
Also Read
- lifetime-fitness-membership-prices-locations
- membership-levels-at-lifetime-fitness
- everything-you-need-to-know-about-la-fitness
- 40 Junk Food List | Healthy And Unhealthy Food
- Lifetime Onyx Membership: What Is It- Advantage & Price
- What is Ursolic acid? Benefits, Side effects and Supplements
- 5 Best Ingredients to Increase Testosterone Levels Naturally
- 6 Benefits of Biotin – How It May Protect Your Health
- Keto Diet Advantages And Disadvantages
- Planning Meals: 4 Factors To Consider – Complete Guide
FAQs
What is live-in care?
Live-in care is a type of care service where a trained caregiver or care professional resides in the home of an individual requiring assistance. The caregiver provides round-the-clock care and support to the person, helping with activities of daily living, medication management, companionship, and other essential tasks.
Who can benefit from live-in care?
Live-in care is beneficial for individuals who prefer to receive care in the comfort of their own homes and require continuous support due to aging, chronic illness, or disabilities. It is particularly helpful for those who have mobility issues, memory impairments, or complex medical needs. Live-in care can also be a suitable option for individuals recovering from surgery or illness.
What services are typically provided in live-in care?
Live-in caregivers offer a wide range of services tailored to the individual’s specific needs. These services may include assistance with personal care tasks (bathing, grooming, dressing), meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, transportation, companionship, and support with mobility. The caregiver’s duties can vary depending on the person’s requirements and care plan.
How does live-in care differ from other types of care?
Live-in care differs from other types of care, such as hourly or part-time care, as it provides 24/7 support within the person’s home. Unlike shift-based care, where multiple caregivers rotate in shifts, live-in care involves a caregiver residing in the home consistently, offering continuous assistance and monitoring.
How can I find a reliable live-in caregiver?
Finding a reliable live-in caregiver involves thorough research and consideration. You can start by seeking recommendations from healthcare professionals, friends, or family members who have used live-in care services. Additionally, there are reputable home care agencies that can connect you with qualified and experienced live-in caregivers. When selecting a caregiver, ensure they have the necessary qualifications, certifications, and background checks. It’s also important to interview potential caregivers, discuss expectations, and ask for references to ensure a good fit for your specific needs.