When people think of assisted living, the common misconception is that this type of care can only be offered at a care home facility. However, assisted living can also be provided in the comfortable surroundings of home, making it a much more flexible form of care than first thought.
In this article, we will unpack exactly what assisted living at-home is, what it involves, and how it can benefit you or your loved one. We compare at home assisted living with moving into assisted care living facilities and weigh up the advantages of each.
Assisted living at-home also encompasses live-in care. For more information about at home care, check out our guide to live-in care.
What is assisted living?
Assisted living, otherwise known as supported living or extra-care, is traditionally provided in a care home facility. However, assisted living at home which involves individuals receiving support in the familiar environment of their home is possible. From personal care to mobility support and medication management, assisted living at home and in extra-care housing ensures that individuals continue to live as independently as possible.
Whether assisted living or assisted living at home, both types of care allow individuals to feel supported whilst carrying out the everyday tasks that become more challenging as we age. The question is, which care environment is preferable? Whichever assisted living option you choose, it is important to understand what assisted living at home and standard assisted living include, in order to make a fully informed decision.
What does assisted living at home involve?
Focusing on at home assisted living in particular, this form of home care involves a professional carer either living with an individual in their own home or regularly visiting them to administer personalised one-to-one care. Typically, assisted living at home carers provide the following services, all in the comfort of an individual’s home:
- Personal care e.g. bathing, dressing, and toileting
- Mobility support
- Help getting in and out of bed and help with nighttime routines
- Medication management
- Light housekeeping
- Help with household admin
- Transportation to and from healthcare appointments and social events
- Facilitating hobbies and interests
- Meal preparation
- Companionship and someone to talk to
Assisted living at home vs assisted living facilities
Depending on an individual’s health needs and personal preferences, one form of assisted living care may be more appropriate than the other. Having to move out of the home they love can be distressing to most people. If you or a loved one would prefer not to go down this route, assisted living at home may be the most suitable option. Here are a few pros and cons for each form of assisted living care.
At home assisted living
The advantages to assisted living at home include:
- Staying in the home you love
- Remaining in the local area, close to family, friends, and neighbours
- Receiving one-to-one personalised care
- Keeping daily routines intact
- Staying together as a couple in your own home
- Living with beloved pets
- Privacy
The disadvantages are:
- Utility bills, mortgage, and cost of home upkeep will still need to be paid
- Fewer opportunities for socialising
- The property may have to undergo home adaptations e.g. ramps, stairlifts
Assisted living facilities
The advantages to moving into assisted living facilities include:
- Access to on-site facilities such as hairdressers or fitness centres
- Easier to make new friends
- Facilities are designed for easy access e.g. ramps, grab rails, and more
- Events, day trips, and social activities arranged for residents to partake in
The disadvantages are:
- Extras such as hairdressing, activities, and trips may incur additional costs
- One-to-one care is not offered as standard, this will incur extra charges
- Disruption of daily routines
- Inconvenience of selling up and moving out of the home you love
- Moving away from the local area, friends, family, and neighbours
- Privacy may be affected
Considerations for at home assisted living
It is clear that assisted living at home offers many advantages compared to relocating to a care home environment. Of course, this is all dependent on individual needs and preferences. When putting together a care plan, important considerations must be made to ensure that the final decision is the right one.
Level of care
Even if you have decided upon assisted living at home, there are several different types of care to choose from based on health needs and level of dependency. For complex care needs, following a dementia diagnosis, for example, specialised support in the form of expert dementia care would be a better fit than ad hoc visiting care.
Space for a carer
If live-in care is an appealing option, have you considered whether the property has space for a carer to stay? To host a live-in carer, there must be a private room available in your home where the carer can comfortably rest and recharge, ready for the next shift. Lockable cupboard space, toilet facilities, and a comfortable bed are also recommended.
Hiring a carer
When hiring a carer, there are a selection of service providers you can investigate. Fully managed care agencies find, hire, and supervise care, taking on all the responsibility. Choosing to hire a private carer, offers much more flexibility, however, it also involves a certain level of commitment from the person receiving care and their family. For the best of both worlds, an introductory care service such as Country Cousins handles finding a suitable carer with the flexibility of letting you manage the work they do.
How Country Cousins can help
If at-home assisted living care seems like the most suitable solution for you, an introductory care agency can help you to flexibly arrange live-in care. At Country Cousins, our nationwide introductory live-in care service can match your loved one with a professional live-in carer, ensuring that they receive one-to-one support all in the comfort of home.
With more than 60 years of experience, we have extensive expertise in a wide range of home care services. You can trust us to help you find the most suitable at-home assisted living care for your loved one. For more advice on choosing in-home care for your elderly loved one, check out our guide to live-in care at home.
Talk to our team today
If you require assisted living care at home for your loved one, get in touch with us at Country Cousins today. We are the UK’s longest-serving introductory care agency, having provided compassionate care to people in their own homes since 1959.
Give us a call today on 01293 244 706. should you have any questions about home care. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.
