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Comparing the Value and Cost of Assisted Living With Care at Home
Live at home or move into an assisted living community? It’s a choice many families face when a loved one needs an occasional helping hand to maintain or enhance their quality of life. Many assume that the cost of assisted living will determine the decision.
However, when you compare the cost of receiving care at home with the cost of assisted living, you might be in for a surprise about which offers you the greater value.
Comparing the value and cost of assisted living with care at home
There are many factors to review: what you pay, what you receive, what chores, responsibilities, and costs are no longer yours, and of course, the quality of care and attention your loved one will receive.
The cost of assisted living
This cost varies greatly by location but there is usually a monthly rental fee that covers the basic services such as utilities, dining, maintenance, housekeeping, transportation and social activities and additional fees for personal care when needed.
According to Genworth Financial’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the national median cost of assisted living facilities in 2021 was $4,500 per month or $54,000 annually in the United States.
The cost of care at home
Four out of five adults underestimate the costs of home healthcare according to the Genworth Long Term Care/Caregiving Online Survey. Here are 2021 monthly figures:
- Homemaker services: $4,957 (Help with household tasks that cannot be managed alone)
- Home health aide services: $5,148 (“Hands-on” personal care, but not medical care)
- Adult day health care: $1,690 (Social and support services in a community-based, protective setting)
In addition, living at home means having to pay for things that are included in the cost of assisted living. For example, think about what numbers you would put in the “Cost at Home” column below:
| MONTHLY EXPENSES | COST AT HOME | COST IN ASSISTED LIVING |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage or rent | N/A | |
| Caregiving | N/A | |
| Property tax and insurance | Included | |
| Home maintenance and repairs | Included | |
| Lawn care and yard maintenance | Included | |
| Housekeeping | Included | |
| Utilities (electricity, gas, water, trash removal, etc.) | Included | |
| 24-hour security | Included | |
| Transportation (Insurance, gas, registration, repairs) | Included | |
| Dining | Included | |
| Social and entertainment | Included | |
| Exercise and wellness | Included | |
| 24-hour emergency alert system | Included | |
| Total: |
Then there’s just the mental wear and tear of taking care of all the endless details of a home, in addition to coordinating full-time care for someone you love.
Assisted living offers you more for your monthly fee
Here’s where real value comes in. In addition to dining, security, activities, and a comfortable residence, assisted living offers exceptional benefits:
Worry-free living
No more worries of home maintenance, repairs, obligations, or other household headaches. Life in assisted living is about letting someone else take care of all the details, while offering a helping hand when needed with the activities of daily living.
Opportunities for friendship and community
Boredom and loneliness are things of the past for a loved one living in assisted living. Good friends are right next door to share both joyful moments and life’s challenges. Whether it’s an engaging activity, pleasant home-style dining experience, or group outing, enjoying friendly companionship is easy in today’s assisted living.
The feeling of home without the responsibility
What is wonderful about the right assisted living setting—such as residential assisted living at Assured Senior Living—is that it really does become home. Our neighborhood clusters of resident homes create a small, tight-knit community where residents feel at home amongst close friends and neighbors. It’s an ideal choice for a loved one who does feel a bit overwhelmed by “big box” senior communities; instead, at Assured Senior Living, generally fewer than 10 residents live in a suburban home with a select team of caregivers.
Meals are family-style, there’s a den where residents can gather for conversation and entertainment, an outdoor patio for time outside, cozy visiting areas for friends and family, and a neighborhood setting that’s familiar and reassuring.
Staff available 24/7
When comparing the costs of staying at home versus senior living, this one is huge. In senior living, there’s always someone close by who can assist you in an emergency. Your loved one doesn’t have to suddenly try to reach a friend, family member or neighbor who might not be available or know what to do.
And at Assured Senior Living, members of our staff live on the premises, so someone is awake and available 24/7.
That’s just the beginning
At Assured Senior Living, you’ll find more than a community—you’ll find purposeful living. We’re here to answer any questions you may have as you compare the cost of care at home with the cost of assisted living, as well as the value you will receive.
Contact us today, or download our free Family Decision Toolkit guide for more information.
