The Difference Between Residential Assisted Living and Home Care
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Family members who serve as caregivers to their aging loved ones need helpful information when determining the right care for their family members. When a loved one needs additional support, moving into a retirement community like residential assisted living or providing added assistance via home care are options families can consider.
What is Residential Care?
Residential assisted living in Pueblo West Colorado provides supportive services in a home like environment for seniors who are not able to live safely and independently. A residential assisted living community can provide the support your loved one needs with bathing, dressing, toileting, medication management and transportation to medical appointments among other services based on a resident’s needs.
In addition to assisted living supportive services, some residential communities like Columbine Chateau also provide support for seniors living with memory loss. Professional caregivers are trained to provide support with activities of daily life (ADL), as well as offer programs with a cognitive approach. These activities provide socialization as well as cognitive support a loved one my need, are individual and group based, and are an especially important part of a resident’s care plan.
Residential assisted living is a part of the continuing care continuum. When considering an assisted living community, it’s best to ask what costs are covered in the private fee that is charged monthly and what additional services are covered by insurance.
Home Care vs. Home health
Home care and home health are terms that sound alike but are different in one key aspect. Home health provides medical support services in a person’s home whereas home care is non-medical. Home health often follows an illness, injury or a hospitalization and is provided by a physician as an option to a skilled nursing facility for many seniors. In essence, home health is healthcare provided in a senior’s home. In this capacity, seniors receive a plan of care that is an appropriate and effective treatment provided by a licensed home health provider in the comfort of their own home.
Some services provided by home health companies include wound care, pain management, physical, occupational or speech therapy and IV medication to name just a few. Many of the myriad medical services provided with home health are paid for by insurance once medical necessity is established and offers an affordable alternative to skilled nursing.
Home care provides non-medical professional supportive services. These non-clinical services include help with activities of daily life. Like an assisted living community, home care allows a person who is aging the support they need, but in the comfort of their own home. In addition to ADL support, home caregivers also provide meal preparation, companionship and can accompany seniors to appointments. Family caregivers can also find respite care services offered when short term support is needed. As with an assisted living community, home care is not covered by insurance and requires an assessment to determine eligibility.
It is important to conduct research before deciding on home care providers. Research the providers in your area and learn more about the services offered to ensure the home care you select will provide the care your loved one needs.
Benefits of Residential Assisted Living and Home Care
Though residential assisted living and home care may seem similar, they each provide different, yet equally valuable assistance to seniors who need support to live safely and as independently as possible.
Residential care homes provide a home like environment for seniors who are not able to live safely or independently at home. Trained, professional caregivers are able to provide the hands-on care and supportive services a senior needs with daily life, while also offering robust programming and activities. These activities are designed to enhance socialization, build friendships, promote physical activity, and provide cognitive stimulation to name a few.
Home care offers an alternative for seniors who need help, but who would rather remain in their own home than transition to a retirement community. Home care allows seniors to retain the best quality of life possible while aging in place.
Moreover, both residential assisted living and home care affords an opportunity for family caregivers to obtain support they may need through respite care for their loved one.
At Columbine Chateau we’re here to support you and answer questions you may have. For more information about residential assisted living, visit us at Columbine Chateau or contact us to schedule a visit.