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Senior Care: Should I Resort to In-Home Care or Move into a Community?

A son hugging his mother

If you notice a loved one could use a little extra assistance around the house with activities like cooking, cleaning, getting dressed, eating, medication reminders and more, your first thought might be to hire someone to come help. While that might be good in the beginning, is it the best long-term solution? What will you do if your needs change? Yes, your family member being able to stay at home can provide familiar surroundings, but their finances could take a big hit when the cost of in-home care increases. To better understand their senior care options, here’s how to figure out what type of care works best and a comparison of the cost of senior living including assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation vs. in-home care 

How Much Help Is Needed?

Before deciding between aging at home vs. senior care, you need to figure out how much help is needed and compare that with how much help is already available. Make a list of everything your loved one needs help with on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Being able to see the whole picture can help you choose the correct level of care. 

Next, be realistic about how much help you, family, or friends and neighbors will provide. It’s important to think about this in terms of long-term, ongoing help because a few weeks or months isn’t going to be enough. 

After comparing both lists, you will have a better idea of how much additional help will be required. This may make your decision on in-home care or senior care immediately clear, and it may not. Either way, it will be a very helpful tool as you continue. 

What is In-Home Care?

Assuming your loved one’s house is already equipped with grab bars, ramps and other equipment to ensure their safety, in-home care allows them to age in the comfort of home. According to a 2024 study by leading long-term care insurance company Genworth, the average cost in Florida of an in-home aide was $5,720/month and assumes 44 hours a week of care. If your family member needs more care, then you can expect the home care cost to be higher. In-home care services typically include: 

  • Personal care 
  • Companionship 
  • Supervision 
  • Laundry 
  • Light housekeeping 
  • Meal preparation 
  • Medication reminders 
  • Shopping 
  • Errands 
  • Transportation 

What is Assisted Living?

An assisted living community allows your family member to stay independent for as long as possible. Plus, in the event of an emergency, a community’s around-the-clock staff is there to assist. According to Genworth’s study, the average cost of assisted living in Florida was $4,750/month. Assisted living services typically covered by this monthly fee include: 

  • Three meals a day  
  • Nursing care 
  • 24-hour security 
  • Wellness programs  
  • Daily activities 
  • Social events 
  • Housekeeping 
  • Health services  
  • Laundry services 
  • Transportation services 

What is Memory Care?

While memory care provides services that are similar to assisted living, the community is specifically designed for those with memory loss. The community provides a safe and secure setting that’s easy to navigate and features a well-trained staff that has experience dealing with all phases of dementia. According to A Place for Mom, the average cost of memory care in Florida is $5,295/month. 

What is Skilled Nursing?

Skilled nursing care includes various medical services to treat people recovering from a severe injury or illness — like stroke recovery, wound care, rehab after an operation, or managing a terminal illness —following a hospital stay. According to Genworth’s study, the average cost of skilled nursing with a private room in Florida in 2024 was $11,406/month. 

PLEASE NOTE: While the numbers above are good to get you started, you should know that the cost of care varies based on setting, geographic location and level of care required. To get a more accurate cost, contact senior living communities and in-home care providers and tell them what you need.  

Top-Rated Care for You and Your Family

When it comes to choosing between aging at home vs. senior care, each situation is as unique as the individual. To visit our award-winning assisted living, memory care and skilled care that was voted by locals as The Best of The Best by Tampa Bay Times, use or Community Assistant chat feature or contact us here.