Understanding the Difference Between Home Care Services and Assisted Living

Finding the best care for a loved one is a challenging task for every family. At Best Home Care, we understand the financial restraints, social pressures, and uncertainties you may experience when it’s time to decide on whether homecare services or assisted living will offer your loved one the most value and benefit.

As a home health agency in St. Paul, MN, we help families and caregivers find the right resources and provide them with up-to-date information on state requirements to ensure they make well-informed decisions about home health care. This week, in keeping with this practice, we’ve provided a brief overview on homecare services and assisted living to help you understand how each service works, so you can decide which option is best for your loved one.

What is Homecare?

Homecare is just that. Personal care that is provided within the recipient's home. In addition, homecare services

• Allow the recipient to live more independently
• Allow a family member to take on the role of caregiver and get paid
• Allow for support and personalized care geared toward an individual’s needs (i.e. cooking, cleaning, bathing, dressing, shopping, etc.)
• Allow the recipient to take an active role in choosing their caregiver

In addition, depending on the situation, certain homecare services are paid for by Medicare or by the state of Minnesota.

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is performed in a resident care facility for individuals living with a disability or seniors who are unable to live independently.

• Typically, assisted living is paid for out of pocket or through a long-term care health insurance plan
• Residents live within a community setting with others
• It allows residents to receive 24-hour care with onsite nurses and doctors

It’s worth noting that if your loved one requires 24-hour support, homecare services may still be a viable option, as family members can become caregivers or certified Personal Care Assistants (PCA) and get paid for taking care of a loved one.

One key differentiator to point out about homecare services vs. assisted living is the word “home.” The task of relocating, at any age, is a stressful task that requires a lot of time, energy, and investment, especially for seniors. Not to mention that the act of moving a loved one from the family home is both emotional and difficult, especially if your loved one is battling health issues.

If you or your family members are feeling uncertain about your options or would like to learn more about homecare services and how it works to help people in need of support, please contact Best Home Care MN today, so we can start the conversation and help you find the best care possible.