Bridging the Gap: Using Home Care in Assisted Living Communities

Assisted living communities are designed to offer social programs, safety and health care support to people who need help with daily living. While assisted living offers many services, older adults needs may vary- and sometimes, even in an assisted living setting, residents may need elevated support.

When the health care team does the nursing assessment, the cost of care is based upon the amount of time it will take staff to perform a task.  The more time it takes to perform a care the more it will cost.  Care levels are fluid.  They can go up or down depending on the needs of the person receiving care.  Staffing levels in assisted living are often based upon the number of people and hours a day it takes to perform care.  When a community has a population that is aging rapidly it may be difficult to hire quickly.  Some people can benefit from additional help from an outside agency.

This is where home care services can be beneficial.

What is Home Care?

Home care offers a broad range of services provided by trained caregivers in the comfort of a person’s residence.  This can include a private home, an apartment, assisted living or memory care community setting.  These services typically help with personal care like showering, dressing assistance, companionship, medication reminders and administration and even skilled nursing care in some cases.

Why Combine Home Care with Assisted Living?

Though assisted living communities offer caregiving services 24 hours a day, their staffing may not support someone who has higher care needs.  By supplementing community- support with home care, families and residents can customize a plan of care that better fits the needs of the individual.

Common reasons families opt for added home care include:

• Higher care needs without moving to a nursing home

When a residents’ health conditions change and they prefer not to make a physical move, bringing in home care helps to supplement the support received by the assisted living.  It may be enough to eliminate the need to move for a higher care level.

• Reduce the risk of falls

For someone who is having frequent falls getting 1-2-1 support can reduce the risk and frequency of falls.

There was a gentleman living in a Minnetonka assisted living facility that was having multiple falls each day due to a movement disorder.  The family was able to bring in a home care agency for 1-2-1 companionship.  By doing this, the person stopped having falls and avoided a move to skilled nursing facility.

• Companionship

For people with dementia, having a familiar caregiver and providing emotional comfort.  Additional support can reduce anxiety and confusion.

• Respite for family caregivers

For families that continue giving care even when a loved one moves into assisted living, may need a break.  Home care allows for this.

A family caring for their loved one in Eagan wanted to attend a wedding out of state.  They were the primary caregivers for mom.  Home care allowed them to attend the wedding with peace of mind because mom was being taken care of.

Benefits of Integrating Home Care in Assisted Living

1. Potential Cost Benefits

Let’s face it, assisted living can be expensive.  Home care might save you money as opposed to continually increasing the level of care.  Each community evaluates residents’ needs differently.  For a person who needs one shower a week and medication administration, home care may be a better financial option.

2. Personalized Attention

Home care allows for an individualized approach.  You are hiring the caregiver for 1-2-1 service meaning they can customize the care to your loved ones’ wants, likes and needs.

3. Continuity of Care

Clients can build lasting relationships with consistent caregivers which promotes better health outcomes.  This is also true with assisted living staff.  When people see the same person consistently, they get to know them.  Care is always better when a personal connection can be established.

4. Peace of Mind

For families who may not live close or travel frequently, knowing their loved one has both community support and additional personalized care reduces stress and worry.

Other Considerations and Final Thoughts

In Minnesota, families and residents have the right to bring in whatever home care they chose to provide necessary care.  This may not be true in every state.  You should check community policies and state guidelines.  Hiring a licensed, bonded and experienced agency is recommended.  It may cost more, and accountability and peace of mind will be worth it.

Initiating home care prior to moving into assisted living can eliminate the waiting period when a person has long term care insurance.  It will also save you money if twenty four hour supervision and care is not necessary.

Using home care in an assisted living community can offer the best of both worlds.  Assisted living provides programming, meals, structure in a community environment.  Home care offers one-on-one support and customized care.  As people age and their needs change, having flexible options provides assurance that they can live with safety and happiness.

If you would like to learn more about assisted living or home care options, consider reaching out to a senior living advisor at Choice Connections.  We can help you determine what is right for you and/or your loved one.