Assisted Living vs At-Home Care: What’s the Difference and Which Is Right for Your Loved One?

When families begin exploring care options for aging parents or loved ones, two common paths often come up: assisted living and at-home care. While both offer valuable support, they serve different needs and come with different levels of flexibility, cost, and involvement.
Understanding the distinctions—especially between at-home care and home health care—can help you choose the best fit based on your loved one’s condition, preferences, and long-term goals.

Assisted living communities provide a residential setting for older adults who need help with daily tasks but still wish to maintain independence. Residents typically receive:

• Help with bathing, grooming, and dressing


• Medication management


• Nutritious meals


• Housekeeping and laundry


• Social activities and wellness programs

At Aspen Ridge Residences, residents enjoy 24/7 care staff, on-site therapy, enriching events, and a safe, supportive environment. This is an ideal option when living alone is no longer safe, or when ongoing support is needed.

Want to learn more about when to consider the transition? Read our post: When Is It Time for Assisted Living?

What Is At-Home Care?

At-home care, also called in-home care, refers to non-medical assistance provided in the comfort of one’s home. Services are typically private pay and tailored to a person’s individual needs and schedule. Common offerings include:

• Help with bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene


• Meal preparation


• Light housekeeping


• Companionship


• Medication reminders

Unlike home health care, at-home care is not typically covered by insurance and can become quite costly—especially if round-the-clock care is needed.

What About Home Health Care?

Home health care is a clinical service, delivered at home but coordinated through a physician. It’s often prescribed for short-term recovery after surgery or illness and is usually covered by insurance. Services may include:

• Skilled nursing


• Physical or occupational therapy


• Wound care


• Medication administration

Home health and hospice services can also be provided within Aspen Ridge Residences to support residents with temporary or ongoing medical needs.

Key Differences to Consider

Which Option Is Right for Your Loved One?

If your loved one needs daily help, seeks social interaction, and prefers the stability of a community, assisted living may be the better long-term solution.
If staying at home is the priority and only part-time or occasional help is needed, at-home care offers more flexibility—though costs can increase significantly for around-the-clock support.
Families often blend these solutions. For example, a resident at Aspen Ridge Residences might also receive home health care services temporarily after a hospital stay or surgerycwithout needing to move.

Personalized Care in Lehi, Utah

At Aspen Ridge Residences in Lehi, we know every family’s situation is different. Whether you’re comparing assisted living to in-home care or navigating home health options, our team is here to guide you with clarity and compassion.
Schedule a tour or speak with a care coordinator today to find the right solution for your loved one’s needs.