The True Cost of Staying at Home

Comparing the costs of caring for a loved one at home with a move to an assisted living community

Many of us want to age in place near what’s familiar, whether it’s our church and community activities or a favorite neighborhood coffee shop and grocery store. Living at home, especially as a loved one’s health needs change, isn’t a free option. Health, mobility, or memory issues create challenges and expenses.

Families must evaluate the costs associated with a loved one’s changing care needs and home modifications, in addition to regular upkeep, to honestly determine if staying at home is a safe and viable option.

Families who track the hard and soft costs of keeping a loved one at home versus the predictable costs of a senior living community often discover that it’s as affordable—sometimes more so than staying at home—and brings unexpected and intangible benefits.

The Escalating Cost of At-Home Care

It can take an enormous amount of time and emotional energy to find, coordinate, and manage consistent, quality in-home care teams for aging seniors.

• Juggling in-home support is also expensive. Basic in-home care frequently costs $30 or more per hour, with rates increasing for evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Most agencies require minimum commitments (often 4 hours per visit or 12 hours per week), meaning you pay for downtime, not just the service needed.’
• All of this effort doesn’t guarantee continuity. Frequent caregiver schedule changes can be jarring and difficult for your loved one. This often means an adult child is squeezed between their own family obligations and ensuring their parent receives consistent care and gets to appointments.

The Intangible Costs: Isolation, Safety, and Quality of Life

The most compelling arguments for a transition to assisted living are the uncalculated benefits. When a loved one feels isolated and disconnected, the shift to a community like Calyx provides consistent access to services that can improve and even extend a person’s quality of life.

Consider the value of having easy, daily access to these life-enhancing services. This holistic environment provides the assurance and security residents and their families need to live with the enthusiasm and vibrancy they deserve.