Published: March 2023

Home Care or Assisted Living Which is Best?

Let’s take a look at both of these care models, and determine how to decide which choice would be better for an aging loved one.
Home Care or Assisted Living Which is Best?

Many families today are faced with the decision on how to best care for their aging loved ones. Two of the most widely utilized professional care services for older adults are Home Care and Assisted Living. 

Let’s take a look at both of these care models, and determine how to decide which choice would be better for an aging loved one.

What are Home Care Services?

Home Care services are essentially what the name implies. In this care type, an older adult continues to reside in their own home, but has professional caregivers come in on a regular basis to assist the senior with daily tasks.

The credentials and training of Home Care caregivers can vary greatly. Some offer simple companionship and light duty services, while others might be CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistant) or LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurse) who can provide more formal, medically based care. 

Home Care caregivers can perform a wide variety of support services, including:

  • Light Housecleaning
  • Laundry Services
  • Errand Shopping
  • Reminders about Taking Medications
  • Cooking (Limited)
  • Transportation (Limited)
  • Help with Bathing, Dressing,  or Using the Restroom

In many cases, Home Care services are not provided 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. This means that an older person could go without the assistance they need for long periods of time, unless family members step in and perform those duties.

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted Living communities specialize in providing care to people who cannot safely live on their own anymore. These communities offer formal, 24-hour care for residents. Assisted Living services normally focus upon providing assistance and care with what are known as the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).    

The most common Activities of Daily Living include:

  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Using the Restroom
  • Eating
  • Moving About

Assisted Living communities are staffed by experienced medical professionals, such as RNs (Registered Nurses), CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants) and other credentialed professionals.

Many communities offer a wide variety of amenities and services, such as:

  • Private Apartments
  • 5-Star Restaurant Quality Dining
  • Library
  • Movie Room
  • Inviting Common Areas
  • Beauty Salon
  • Telephone
  • Wi-Fi

Residents also enjoy building new friendships and spending time together as a community.

Determining Needs

One of the most important aspects of deciding whether an older loved one needs Home Care services or should reside in an Assisted Living community is based on their specific care requirements. Document carefully over a period of time what specific care your loved one needs.

 The following questions can be helpful to review.

  • Is it safe for my loved to live at home?
  • How many hours per day does my loved one need care?
  • Do they require assistance with the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)?
  • Can they prepare meals?
  • Do care needs require medical professionals? 
  • Is there a need for medication management?

Frontier Senior Living is Here to Help 

The process of choosing the best care type for an aging loved one can be challenging. Home Care services does provide some assistance, but often an Assisted Living setting is more appropriate for those who can no longer manage activities of daily living by themselves.   

The experienced and caring staff at Frontier have helped many families find the perfect Assisted Living community to meet their loved one’s specific needs. If you would like to learn more about our services, we invite you to schedule a visit to one of our communities, take a tour, and speak with our friendly and compassionate staff.

Find a community near you
that perfectly fits your needs.

Our Communities

Washington Gardens Memory Care

9000 Southwest 91st Avenue
Tigard, Oregon 97223
(503) 213-6494
Levels of Care:

Assisted Living, Memory Care

Clearwater Springs Assisted Living

201 Northwest 78th Street
Vancouver, Washington 98665
(360) 803-4546
Levels of Care:

Assisted Living

Monterey Court Memory Care

8915 Southeast Monterey Avenue
Happy Valley, Oregon 97086
(503) 773-6670
Levels of Care:

Assisted Living, Memory Care