More than 46 million Americans today are over the age of 65. By 2040, 1 in 5 Americans will be age 65 or older. A definitively aging population has many factors to consider. And a key factor will be how to plan for care in their aging years. 

 

There are multiple options when it comes to caring for an individual living with a degenerative condition like Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Parkinson’s, or a person requiring daily care after undergoing an orthopedic procedure like hip replacement or knee surgery. Other common scenarios like navigating cancer treatment or life after a stroke also require daily and ongoing care. The two most common options are live-in care at home and assisted living care in a facility.

 

By reviewing a specific case, the emotional and physical needs of the couple and their family, and reviewing the financial considerations of these arrangements – it is possible to understand the costs and benefits associated with both scenarios. 

 

Case Study

Linda and Harold J. are both in their 80’s and live in the Preston Hollow area in Dallas, TX. Their adult children live out of state and due to their hectic work schedules and young families, are unable to come to visit often

Linda has been living with several medical ailments for over 10 years – she has COPD, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. 

Harold has been her primary caregiver – driving her to doctors appointments, managing household duties, and ensuring that Linda takes her medications on time. In the last year, Harold was diagnosed with moderate stage Alzheimer’s dementia. 

Moving Harold and Linda closer to their children is complicated because uprooting them will add to Harold’s dementia-related agitation. They also have a healthy social life with friends, community members, and Temple nearby. 

Due to work and family commitments, their children are unable to move to Dallas to live near them and provide the increasing daily support they will need in the coming years. 

Linda and Harold wish to maintain their independent lifestyle, and live together for as long as possible. Their home is paid off and they live comfortably on a monthly budget that covers their daily needs and expenses.

 

Moving to an Assisted Living Facility

Benefits

Cons

Financial Considerations

 

Live-in Care

Benefits

Cons

Financial Considerations

 

Conclusions

The pros, cons, and financial considerations for Linda and Harold make it apparent that there is considerable cost to both scenarios. While assisted living provides greater peace of mind to Linda and Harold’s children, aging in place at home with their independence, dignity and familiar surroundings is more appealing and palatable to Linda and Harold and live in care at home is the option that they finally end up going with.

 When they both go into the aging at home option “eyes wide open”, they know that while  aging in place sounds wonderful, the fact remains that managing live-in caregivers and the external costs of maintaining their home will be additional work that they are prepared for, and an option that their children support to help the parent enjoy personalized care instead of an assisted living facility that offers standardized and less personalized care. 

Both options have their pros and cons – And the final decision on what is right is a highly personal and specific one requiring a lot more info and analysis into the specific care needs, family content, financial, and emotional support structures. 

 

Care Mountain

With over 17 years of expert experience providing live-in and in-home care to families across Dallas and Ft. Worth and ranging from Arlington, Southlake, Preston Hollow, Highland Park, Plano, McKinney, Allen and Friso – Care Mountain is well-versed in understanding the nuances and specifics of every family’s needs and decisions  on how to decide between in home live in care versus assisted living options.We in fact work closely with many of the well know assisted living facilities (e.g. Juliette Fowler, James West Center for Dementia Care, The Villages of Dallas) across the Dallas and Fort Worth areas and help manage transitions of care across facilities and home, and vice versa

Contact us and we will be happy to help you in this difficult, highly personal and critical decision for you or your loved ones.  

 

2022-10-17 08:27:36

Comparing Live-in Care at home vs Assisted Living