In-Home Care vs. Senior Living Communities: Choosing the Best Care for Your Loved One

In-Home Care

Pros

About 15 million Americans currently receive in-home care.1 For aging adults who want independence and familiarity, in-home care can provide companionship and assistance, whether you require ongoing care or just need temporary support after surgery, illness, or injury. Some 75 percent of adults ages 50 or older want to remain in their current homes as they age, and 73 percent hope to stay in their communities.2 In-home care allows seniors to receive personalized support in the comfort of their own homes with flexible scheduling based on their changing needs.

Caregivers usually charge by the hour and cost structure can be negotiated. Using an independent caregiver can be cheaper than using a homecare agency. The median cost of in-home care ranges from around $31 to $34 per hour, as of 2024.

Cons

Although in-home care is a solid option, there are some drawbacks to consider. Depending on your loved one’s needs, in-home care may require additional home modifications or caregivers with specific training that could increase costs. Unlike a senior living community that provides seniors with activities and socialization, in-home care provides little socialization other than the caregiver and family members. In-home care also requires keeping up with home maintenance and repairs.

Senior Living Communities

Pros

“Senior living community” is a broad term that can include independent living communities, assisted living, memory care, nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities. The facilities typically include comprehensive services such as meal plans or dining services, housekeeping, social and recreational activities, health care services, and more.

Senior living communities provide aging adults with a structured environment and around-the-clock assistance, along with social interaction and community. This can help reduce the risk of loneliness and isolation and boost mental and physical health.

Communities offer a range of convenient services and take care of most household responsibilities, such as housekeeping and other chores. Safety and security is typically tight at senior living communities, with emergency call systems, secure facilities, and 24/7 staff in place.

The communities usually have a set monthly fee for room and board, but care services may be offered a la carte for an additional fee or a monthly flat fee on a tiered structure.

Cons

A senior living community may feel less personal, and the rules and structured schedules may be somewhat restrictive to aging adults. Moving to a new location can also be difficult for some seniors, because they may feel a loss of independence or lack of privacy.

Senior living communities are big on socialization, but some seniors may find it difficult to make connections or participate in events. Senior living facilities also pose the risk of exposure to illnesses, which can be an issue for people with weaker immune systems. The quality of care, services, and amenities varies widely from community to community, which can make choosing a facility difficult.

Costs can be a major disadvantage, since high-end facilities with personalized care or luxury amenities may not be affordable for many people. Monthly fees and up-front costs may turn out to be more expensive, too. The median cost of assisted living in 2024, for example, was an estimated $66,126 per year.

How to Choose the Right Option for Your Loved One

Choosing the right option for your loved ones comes down to a variety of factors, ranging from health needs to financial resources.

“I recommend beginning by discussing your loved one’s expectations for both in-home care and assisted living,” Nicholson says. “They may, for example, believe that one option is significantly more expensive than the other or assume they’ll need to share a room in an assisted living community. Use this conversation to guide your research, focusing on either validating or clarifying their perceptions.”

Here are some key considerations to help make the decision easier:

1. Assess care needs: Determining your loved one’s care needs is the first step. That means assessing their ability to complete activities of daily living, such as bathing and hygiene, cooking, toileting, and mobility. Think about what tasks they need help with and how often. Consider your loved one’s health status and progression, social and emotional well-being, cognitive abilities, and safety risks. Does your loved one require memory care support? Can they safely live alone, or do they need 24/7 assistance?
2. Evaluate social preferences: Consider their personality and whether they prefer more social interaction, such as group activities in a community setting, or if they desire more solitude in their own home. Also, consider whether they already have established social connections. Do they long for companionship or active participation in hobbies, group outings, and classes?
3. Consider finances: Understanding your finances is important when choosing between in-home care and senior living communities. It requires looking at income and financial resources such as pensions and retirement accounts, along with insurance coverage (Medicare and Medicaid) and veterans benefits. It’s also important to calculate in-home caregiver rates in comparison to senior living community costs.
4. Think about location and accessibility: When choosing a senior living community, consider its proximity to loved ones and doctors. You may also want to look at how close the community is to important locations such as shopping centers and places of worship. Safety and accessibility are also important for in-home care. Consider if grab bars or wheelchair ramps need to be installed, or if any other home modifications are needed.
5. Try a trial option: To ensure a good fit for in-home care, consider trying a caregiver on a short-term basis before fully committing. Respite care or short-term stays in a senior living community can help your loved one decide if the facility is a good fit.
6. Involve your loved one: Including your loved one in the decision-making process allows them to feel respected and empowered. That means involving them when interviewing caregivers or visiting senior living communities, and letting them ask questions and take part in the planning. Doing so can help them maintain their dignity and increase the chances of a happy transition to their new care arrangement.

How Care.com Can Connect You to the Right Care

Whether your loved one prefers in-home care or a senior living community, Care.com can connect you with options to meet your needs. The website has one of the largest online networks of background-checked caregivers.

Here is an overview of the services Care.com provides for in-home care and senior living.

In-Home Care

When caring for your loved one becomes too much, it may be time to seek additional support. Care.com provides a directory of trusted senior care services to give you and your loved one additional support and peace of mind. Using Care.com, you can find a caregiver that meets your needs. An in-home caregiver from Care.com can provide many levels of care, from companionship to hands-on, personal care. A subscription to Care.com costs less than $1 a day and gives you access to a network of background-checked caregivers.

Caregiver profiles contain their skills and experience, along with ratings and reviews from other clients. Some of the services caregivers on Care.com may offer include:

• Meal prep
• Transportation for errands and doctor’s appointments
• Help with medication reminders
• Assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, hygiene, dressing, grooming, and toileting
• Safe movement and ambulation, regular outside walks, etc.
• Assisted Living

There are currently over 32,000 residential care communities in the U.S., so there are likely many facilities to choose from in your area.3 Care.com allows users to easily compare communities to find the right fit. The website features in-depth profiles and detailed photos of senior living communities, as well as contact information and the ability to schedule tours. You can customize your search and filter for the types of communities you’re seeking based on location, care, amenities, and cost.

One-to-One Support

Finding senior care can sometimes be confusing and overwhelming, but Care.com offers a team of senior care advisers to help you in your search and make the process easier. The advisers can create a personalized care plan, offer suggestions, and direct you to local options that meet the needs of both you and your loved one.

Some of the benefits of having a senior care adviser at your side include:

• Streamlined service: Once you complete Care.com’s intake form, a senior care adviser will develop a personalized care plan, research communities, and coordinate contact for you.
• Professional guidance: All Care.com senior care advisers have a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and experience handling long-term care, dementia needs, and aging-related concerns.
• A comprehensive care plan: Families will receive a customized plan following their consultation call with recommendations and vetted resources, including information on everything from financial options for care to managing chronic illness.
• Devoted assistance: Senior care advisers are available by phone and email to ensure your questions are answered and any challenges are addressed.

The Bottom Line

Deciding between in-home care and a senior living community for your loved one takes time and considerable research. Both living arrangements can be solid options for your aging loved one. In-home care is a great choice for older adults who want to age in place in the comfort of their own homes. A senior living community is an excellent choice for seniors looking to retain their independence while being a part of a thriving senior community with opportunities for social activities. Companies such as Care.com can offer helpful guidance and make your decision easier.