By Rick Banas of BMA Management, Ltd.
When it comes to whether assisted living or home health care might be the best choice, a lot depends on what you need and what is important to you.
Based on my years of experience, here are a few things to consider:
Socialization and Companionship
More and more research is showing that social connectivity is one of the keys to aging well and feelings of isolation and loneliness are dangerous to your health and well-being.
For many, the biggest advantage that assisted living has over home health care is all of the opportunities that are available in assisted living for socialization and companionship. You don’t need to drive anywhere or even go outside, which is especially nice when the weather isn’t. Just step outside your apartment door. Join other residents for programs that exercise your mind and your body, card games, musical entertainment, Wii Bowling, community health education programs, a cup of coffee or breakfast, lunch and dinner. It certainly beats eating alone at home while watching the late afternoon news or Wheel of Fortune.
I long ago lost count of the number of families who insisted prior to Mom moving into assisted living that Mom is not likely to come out of her apartment because she is one who doesn’t like to socialize. Several weeks later, the family is calling the community to check if Mom is okay. They have been calling her phone number for hours and Mom is not answering. Much to their surprise, Mom has not been in her apartment because she is socializing with other residents and participating in activities that are available.
24/7 Staffing
In assisted living communities, staff is on-duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide residents with the personal assistance and help with medications they need. How many hours a day and how many days a week will home health care be available to you?
Specially-Designed Apartments and Community Areas
Are any of the following an issue in your house, townhome, apartment or condominium:
Do you need to walk up and down stairs to get into your house, to the place you sleep, to your washer and dryer?
Are the doorways wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair or scooter?
Is a bathroom conveniently located near the place you sleep? Is the bathtub equipped with grab bars? Can you easily maneuver a wheelchair or scooter in the bathroom? Can you easily get into and out of the shower or bathtub?
The apartments and community areas in the assisted living communities BMA operates are especially designed for those who may need some help to maintain their independence. The apartments feature bathrooms that can accommodate the turning radius of a wheelchair or scooter. There are easy-access showers and grab bars by the toilet and shower. An emergency pull cord is located in the bathroom and an alert button in the bedroom/sleeping area of the apartment that residents can activate to alert staff in case of an emergency. The flooring is appropriate for individuals who may be encountering issues with balance or ambulation.
Three Meals a Day Seven Days a Week
With home health care, what steps might need to be taken to ensure that you are eating when and as you should?
The monthly fee in the assisted living communities BMA operates includes three meals a day, seven days a week, plus snacks. The meals are served restaurant-style in the community’s dining room so you are eating with others.
In our assisted living communities, housekeeping and laundry services also are included.
Cost
According to MetLife’s most recent Market Survey of Long-Term Care Costs, the average fee for home health care was $21 an hour, which adds up to $84 a day for two hours of home health care in the morning and two hours at the end of the day. The survey dates back to 2012, The hourly rate does not include all of the other expenses associated with living in your house.
Depending on the type and frequency of services that you need, assisted living may be more cost-effective than home health care. It can pay to do a detailed analysis.
If you need help but are tempted to do without either home health care or assisted living, I suggest you take a look at the costs that can be associated with doing nothing. If you are not eating properly, taking your medications as you should or staying socially active, you are significantly increasing the likelihood of developing more complicated health problems that lead to hospitalizations and the need to move to a nursing home. The average cost of a private room in a nursing home in the United States as of 2012, according to the Met Life Survey, was more than $90,500, which was more than double the average cost for a one-bedroom apartment in assisted living.
Both home health care and assisted living have their place. Be sure to do your homework.
All affordable assisted living communities managed by BMA Management, Ltd. are certified and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. All assisted living communities are licensed and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
“BMA Management, Ltd. is the leading provider of assisted living in Illinois
and one of the 20 largest providers of assisted living in the United States.”
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let us know.
