Deciding the Next Step
Choosing the right care plan for an aging parent or loved one is never easy. The goal is to balance medical needs, independence, safety, happiness, comfort, and budget. This guide explains the difference between home care and assisted living, what each includes, typical pros and cons, costs at a high level, how Medicare fits in, and how GoGoGrandparent can support either path.
What Is Home Care?
Home care is a broad term for services that help older adults age in place—safely and comfortably at home. Many people who use home care can partially or fully manage their own routines with targeted support.
Types of Home Care
- Palliative/therapeutic services at home. For a chronic condition or recovery after illness/injury (e.g., physical therapy, speech-language pathology). May be short- or long-term.
- Home health care. Licensed clinicians (nurses, therapists) or professional aides provide health-related tasks and help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and safe transfers.
- Companion care. Non-medical support that focuses on daily living: light cooking, tidying, errands, accompaniment to appointments, and social companionship.
GoGoGrandparent can supplement (or, for some, largely stand in for) non-medical home care by handling everyday essentials:
- Transportation Services for Seniors
- Grocery Delivery for Seniors
- Meal Delivery for Seniors
- Prescription Delivery
- Home Services for Seniors (housekeeping, handyman help, light yardwork, and more)
- GoGoCare (phone-based, non-medical care navigation and wellness check-ins)
All GoGo services are available by phone—no app required.
Pros of Home Care
Familiar, comfortable surroundings. Remaining at home can reduce anxiety and support well-being through established routines and a sense of control.
Maintains independence. Even with part- or full-time help, older adults typically keep more daily responsibilities at home than in a facility, which may support dignity and engagement.
Customizable. Services can match medical needs, routines, and preferences. With GoGo, support can flex up or down as needs change.
Social continuity. Aging in place allows people to maintain community ties—clubs, faith communities, regular visits. Transportation Services for Seniors help keep those routines going safely.
May be more affordable for lower-acuity needs. If only periodic help is needed, combining limited paid care with GoGo services can cost less than facility living.
Cons of Home Care
- Potential isolation if social circles aren’t active (facilities often make socializing automatic).
- Safety concerns for those with memory issues, frequent falls, or complex mobility needs—often requiring full-time oversight.
- Care coordination load can fall on family members (scheduling, oversight, backups).
- Specialized equipment/space needs may exceed what home can accommodate.
- Family bandwidth may be stretched; GoGo’s Family Features and GoGoCare can reduce this burden.
How Much Does In-Home Care Cost?
Costs vary widely based on location, hours, and clinical needs—from occasional task support to 24/7 skilled care. For lower-acuity needs, a mix of part-time aides plus GoGo services can be economical. For higher-acuity medical needs, assisted living or skilled nursing may be safer and, in some cases, more cost-effective overall.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a residential community model designed to simplify daily life for older adults who want social connection and help with routines such as meals, housekeeping, and transportation. Residents typically move from their home into a private apartment or room. Daily clinical care is limited; nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide higher-level medical care.
Pros of Assisted Living
Built-in social life. Daily proximity to peers and structured activities often boosts mood and engagement; regular social time is linked with increased happiness and well-being. See summary discussion in LiveScience on social time and senior happiness. Source
Activities and amenities. Group outings, fitness classes, arts and crafts, games, and more help residents stay active.
Help with daily tasks. Cooking, laundry, and housekeeping are handled, reducing stress and effort.
Reduced family load. Daily support is provided by staff rather than relying heavily on relatives.
Cons of Assisted Living
- Less personal autonomy than at home (set meal times, policies, sometimes shared rooms).
- Privacy trade-offs; constant proximity to others doesn’t suit everyone.
- Pet or lifestyle limits depending on facility rules.
- Limited medical care compared to nursing homes or at-home clinical services.
- Cost. Usually higher than basic in-home support; see next section.
How Much Does Assisted Living Cost?
Costs vary significantly by location, amenities, and service levels. Broadly, communities can range from roughly $1,000 to $9,000 per month for basic assisted living, with higher costs for enhanced services or luxury settings; skilled nursing can exceed those ranges substantially. Always compare local options, what’s included, and add-on fees.
Will Medicare Cover Home Care or Assisted Living?
- Medicare generally does not cover custodial care (help with bathing, dressing, eating, housekeeping).
- Medicare may cover medically necessary services (e.g., home health visits ordered by a physician), certain therapies, and some health-related costs while at home or in a facility.
- Assisted living fees are typically not covered; specific medical services may be.
- For foundational background on Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)—often used in eligibility and care planning—see StatPearls/NIH. Source
Check directly with Medicare or your Medicare Advantage plan for benefits and limitations.
How GoGoGrandparent Helps—At Home or in a Community
Research and experience show that difficulties with everyday functions (transportation, meal access, groceries, medication pickup, home maintenance, finances/bills, and social engagement) often precede a move to assisted living. Supporting those areas can extend independence.
GoGo makes these tasks simpler:
- Mobility: Transportation Services for Seniors (safe rides by phone; monitored for reliability).
- Food access: Grocery Delivery for Seniors and Meal Delivery for Seniors.
- Medications: Prescription Delivery to prevent missed doses.
- Home upkeep & help: Home Services for Seniors (housekeeping, handyman tasks, light yardwork, companion visits).
- Care navigation: GoGoCare (non-medical wellness check-ins, care coordination, insurance navigation).
Family members can coordinate and monitor support through GoGo’s Family Features, reducing caregiver stress.
Which Option Is Right for Your Loved One?
Consider needs, preferences, and resources:
- Health and safety. What help is needed now? Are ADLs/IADLs manageable? Are there fall risks or memory concerns?
- Social life. Will your loved one engage regularly if they remain at home, or would built-in community help?
- Autonomy. How important is personal routine control versus convenience?
- Budget. Compare realistic local costs for aides, therapies, and services vs. facility fees (including add-ons).
- Flexibility. Needs change—can your plan scale up or down?
Not ready to commit? Try a home-first trial: set up rides, groceries, meals, prescriptions, and home services via GoGo and see how well life at home works with added support. Many families find this covers most day-to-day needs without moving—at least for now.
Final Thoughts
There’s no one “right” answer—only the best fit for your loved one’s health, preferences, and resources. Whether you choose home care, assisted living, or a hybrid approach, consistent access to transportation, food, medications, and safe home support makes the difference.
To explore services or set up a home-first trial, call 1 (855) 464-6872 or visit GoGoGrandparent.com:
