In-home assisted living: the help, without the move
Everything an assisted living community helps with, from bathing to meals to medication reminders, given one-on-one by a caregiver who gets to know your loved one, in their own home.
From our office in Cranford, serving Union County, NJ.
The same help, given to one person
Assisted living communities help residents with the activities of daily living: bathing, dressing, using the toilet, meals, medications and getting around. In-home assisted living is the same help brought to the house by a caregiver, so your loved one doesn't have to move.
The difference is who the help is for. In a community, staff divide their time among many residents. At home, the caregiver is there for one person, on that person's schedule, in rooms they've lived in for years.
Always Responsive Home Care is a private-pay, non-medical home care agency with offices in New Jersey, Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley and Florida. After a free visit to the home, a nurse writes the care plan, and every caregiver is our own employee, background-checked, bonded and insured.
What the caregiver helps with
-
Personal care
Bathing and showering, dressing, grooming and help with the toilet.
-
Meals
Cooking what your parent likes and is allowed to eat, and sitting down with them to eat it.
-
Medication reminders
Reminders at the right times from a filled pill organizer.
-
Housekeeping and laundry
The everyday cleaning, washing and bed-changing a community's staff would do.
-
Getting around safely
Help with transfers and walking, and a house kept clear of trip hazards.
-
Rides and errands
Appointments, the pharmacy, the grocery store, the hairdresser.
-
Company and activities
Conversation, outings and the hobbies your parent still enjoys.
-
Supervision, up to around the clock
From a few hours a day to 24-hour home care when someone can't be left alone.
Assisted living or care at home: an honest comparison
| Assisted living community | Care at home | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | A private or shared apartment in a community | Your parent's own home |
| Attention | Staff shared among many residents | One caregiver for one person |
| Schedule | Set by the community: meals, bathing, activities | Set by your parent |
| Company | Neighbors, a dining room and organized activities | The caregiver, family, friends and outings the caregiver arranges |
| Cost | A monthly fee, which often rises as care needs grow | By the hour, typically $32 to $55, depending on where you live |
| Moving | Required | Not required |
Assisted living is the better choice for some people. A parent who is lonely at home and would enjoy a dining room full of neighbors may be happier in a community. So may someone whose house can't be made safe, or who needs help at so many hours that care at home would cost far more. If we think that describes your parent, we'll tell you honestly.
Our guide to home care vs assisted living goes through the decision step by step, and our page on aging in place covers making the house itself safer.
How the costs compare
A typical range for a caregiver is $32 to $55 per hour, depending on where you live, because the cost of home care varies from state to state and even town to town, largely with caregiver availability and the local cost of living. Part-time help at home usually costs less than assisted living, and care around the clock at home costs more.
Two things change the math. Assisted living communities often charge more as a resident needs more help, on top of the base fee, so ask for the full price at your parent's level of care. And at home, the house is already paid for, but its upkeep, food and utilities continue. Compare written quotes for both in your parent's town.
How in-home care starts
-
Call us
Tell us what your parent needs help with and what's making you think about assisted living. Someone answers day or night.
-
A nurse visits
The visit is free. The nurse sees the house and the routine, points out safety risks and writes the care plan.
-
We match a caregiver
A kind, dependable caregiver who suits your parent and the help involved, the same familiar face each visit whenever we can.
-
Care grows only as needed
Start with the hours that matter most and add more as needs change, with no long-term contract.
What families get that a community can't offer
-
One-on-one attention
Your parent's caregiver isn't looking after anyone else during the visit.
-
Their own home and routine
Their bed, their kitchen, their neighbors, their schedule.
-
Our own employees
Every caregiver is employed by us, background-checked, bonded and insured.
-
No move and no long-term contract
You pay only for the care that's delivered.
What families are saying
I would definitely recommend Always Responsive Home Care, Union County NJ!!!! My dad was in a very bad state, both physically and mentally, after my mom passed away. Dad was in the hospital for weeks and then at the rehab center for more weeks. We hired Always Responsive Home Care to send a caregiver to stay with dad every day at the rehab center as a companion and care giver while my sister and I were at work. The owners Frank and Gianni were wonderful. They arranged care for my dad within a day and even came to visit dad themselves several times, bringing him treats and keeping dad company. The caregiver Enoch was so great with dad. He chatted with him throughout the day, helped him in and out of bed and the bathroom, helped him with his meals, and made sure that my dad had anything he needed. We really appreciate everything that Always Responsive Home Care did for Dad. You will not go wrong hiring this team for your loved one.
Read more Show less
Questions about home care services
Still have a question? Call or text us. Someone is here to talk, any time of day.
(908) 691-3660Click or tap a question to see the answer.
What services do your caregivers provide?
Our caregivers help with everything your loved one needs to live safely and comfortably at home. This includes personal care such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and help moving around the house safely. They also assist with everyday tasks like meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, errands, and rides to appointments. Just as important, they provide friendly companionship, conversation, and medication reminders to help your loved one stay on track. Whether you need companion care, personal care, respite care for a family caregiver, or overnight and 24 hour care, we'll build a care plan around your loved one's routine.
Can a caregiver help with bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom?
Yes. Our caregivers are trained to help with personal care, including bathing, showering, dressing, grooming, and toileting. They always treat your loved one with patience, dignity, and respect, and follow their preferences and routines so they feel comfortable and in control. Personal care is one of the most common reasons families reach out to us, and it can make a big difference in keeping your loved one safe at home.
Do your caregivers drive clients to appointments and errands?
Yes. Our caregivers can drive your loved one to doctor's appointments, the pharmacy, the grocery store, the salon, church, or a visit with friends. They stay with your loved one the whole time, so they're never left waiting alone or struggling to get in and out of the car. If the caregiver uses their own vehicle, mileage is billed at the standard federal (IRS) mileage rate. Caregivers can also drive your loved one's car, and we simply make sure every vehicle used is properly insured.
Do you provide overnight or 24 hour care?
Yes, we provide both. Overnight care gives your loved one an awake caregiver through the night to help with bathroom trips, prevent falls, and offer reassurance if they wake up confused or anxious. It also lets the rest of the family finally get a good night's sleep. For loved ones who need support around the clock, our 24 hour care is provided in shifts, so there's always a caregiver who is alert, rested, and ready to help.
Do you care for people with Alzheimer's or dementia?
Yes, dementia care is one of our specialties. Every caregiver receives Alzheimer's and dementia training when they join us, along with ongoing training throughout the year. They know how to gently guide your loved one through daily routines, ease confusion and anxiety, and keep them safe at home, all with patience and compassion. We also take the time to learn your loved one's history, interests, and favorite things so we can create moments of comfort and connection every day.
Can a caregiver give medications?
Our caregivers can't administer medications, but they can provide medication reminders to help your loved one take the right medicine at the right time. Every situation is different, so our team will talk with you about safe options for managing your loved one's medications and help you find the approach that works best for your family.
Let's talk about care for your family
Send the form and our Union County team will call you back to talk about your loved one and set up a free in-home assessment. There's no cost and no obligation.
By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.