You may no longer be able to live as independently as you once did. If you need help completing daily tasks, you may be thinking about long-term care. Whether you are searching for care for yourself or a loved one, one of the most important questions to ask is if you or your loved one want to stay at home.
Many people would rather stay at home than move to an assisted living facility. However, the choice to stay at home may not be your best option depending on your health and care needs. Long-term care is expensive, and you want to choose the option that will be most beneficial to you and your family. Learn more about these types of care and the average costs associated with each one.
What Is In-Home Care?
In-home care allows seniors to keep living at home. Caregivers help you feel more independent by assisting with household tasks and personal care. A caregiver will visit patients at their homes for a few hours each week. Your health and level of independence will determine the type and amount of care you need.
Care from a medical professional may be necessary if you need to receive shots or have someone monitor your medications. You may need more help with errands or chores. In that case, a paraprofessional can assist you with household tasks like cooking and cleaning, as well as help you dress, bathe, and eat.
Most in-home caregivers charge by the hour. Your needs will determine if a caregiver should stop by your home every day or just a few times a week. In-home care does not provide 24-hour care, and it may be more expensive if you need assistance in the evenings or on the weekends.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living requires you to go to the caregiver. Instead of staying at home, the patient moves to an assisted living community. Often, the patient will move into apartment-style housing with a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen area. Assisted living offers 24-hour access to caregivers and on-site medical staff. These arrangements include fun community-building activities and events for residents, which can boost their overall wellbeing.
Comparing the Costs of Home Health Care vs. Assisted Living Costs
In-home care and assisted living share the same goals. Both types of care want to improve your quality of life and help you stay as independent as possible. The cost of care may be a significant factor in your decision. Many people think the average cost of in-home care will be less expensive than that of an assisted living facility. While this can be the case, it is not true in many circumstances. If you need more extensive care, the cost of assisted living may be less than that of in-home care.
Another factor to note is that the cost of home health care is rising at a faster rate than assisted living costs. Genworth projects that over the next five years, in-home health care is expected to increase as much as 12.5%. However, assisted living costs are projected to rise only 4.5%.
Average Cost of Home Health Care
In-home care rates can be anywhere from $16 to $30 per hour. Cost is dependent on where you live and what type of services you need. If you need a lot of assistance, in-home care can add up quickly.
Genworth calculates national median costs for multiple types of long-term care. Based on its 2021 Cost of Care Survey, homemaker and home health aide services cost between $4,957 and $5,148 a month for 44 hours of care each week. In the state of Mississippi, the average monthly cost of home care is around $3,813 for the same number of hours. The cost of in-home care will be significantly less if you only need a few hours of care each week.
With in-home care, you will still be responsible for paying your living expenses. You will have to pay for utilities, property taxes, yard maintenance, and trash services. You will also continue to purchase your groceries, though a caregiver may go to the store and prepare meals for you.
Depending on your mobility, you may need to invest in safety equipment for your residence. Adding a wheelchair ramp, stairlift, or shower rails may be things you’ll need to budget for alongside the cost of in-home caregivers.
Average Cost of Assisted Living
Moving to an assisted living facility may be what you need if you are looking for something closer to full-time care. Most assisted living facilities cost anywhere between $1,000 to $5,000. Based on Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the monthly median cost of an assisted living facility is around $4,500. In the state of Mississippi, the median cost for assisted living is $3,500 per month. Depending on your state, assisted living care may be more or less expensive.
With assisted living, you won’t have to worry about paying several bills. You will no longer pay for utilities or services like lawn maintenance. Your living expenses and meals are included in the monthly fee you pay to the facility. You won’t have to pay for any added home features either, as the assisted living facility will be equipped to meet your needs.
The built-in bonus of an assisted living facility is the community it provides. At an assisted living facility, you will have access to programs, classes, and social activities that connect you with others. Belonging to an assisted living community can help you lead an active lifestyle and build new relationships–and those experiences are priceless.
Do you have questions about the cost and benefits of assisted living?
Deciding what type of care you need is up to you. If you want to learn more about our assisted living communities in Olive Branch, MS, our professionals at Culpepper Place would be happy to speak with you. Contact us today and find out what assisted living is all about!
