Home Care versus Senior Communities: Which one fits best?

When looking into assistance for a loved one there are plenty of options to choose from – but which is the best fit? One of the biggest decisions is moving to a senior living community instead of having a caretaking agency visit your loved one. Both home care and senior living have their positives but there are many differences when choosing between the two. Keep in mind that unless you are considering a 24-hr caregiver, home care does not provide assistance more than an allotted amount of time each day. Senior living communities have around-the-clock personnel to help residents in case of a health emergency or urgent need. In most senior communities, the apartment has an emergency response system that can easily be reached when residents are in need of aid. Some home care services have an alert system as well, but these alert systems are linked to an outside call center. Response time is generally quicker in a senior living community.

Senior living communities are not only meant to provide the basic means of care for the residents but are also geared to provide residents with a positive, social atmosphere to thrive in. While home care gives loved ones the ability to stay in the comfort of their own home, socialization is left up to the individual. Also, a majority of senior living facilities have wellness programs that incorporate fitness, nutrition, and spiritual well-being into their community activity. Caregivers are able to provide seniors with individualized attention, but the overall benefits of a senior living community far outweigh those of home care. If your loved one is open to making the move, a senior community has more people, services and amenities to provide a full spectrum of resources and opportunities essential to whole person wellness.

For more information, take a look at http://www.gilbertguide.com/ and http://www.kiscoseniorliving.com/.