Is 24-hour Senior Care Right for My Parent?
Written by:
Jeffrey Grossman
Published:
May 29th, 2023
If you’re looking for alternatives to nursing homes and assisted living facilities, you’ve likely come across 24-hour care and live-in home care for the elderly in their own home.
You may wonder about the difference between these two elder care services, though. In this blog, we help you determine whether your parent needs 24-hour care or live-in care and explain how to get 24-hour care for the elderly at home.
In-home elder care solutions in Charlottesville, Richmond, Williamsburg, VA and Charleston, SC.
What Is 24-hour Senior Care?
24-hour senior care involves professional caregivers providing comprehensive, round-the-clock assistance to seniors in their homes. This care option usually consists of two or more caregivers working in shifts to ensure continuous support for the older adult throughout the day and night.You may want to consider 24-hour care at home for the elderly if your parent:
Needs continuous supervision: Seniors recovering from surgery or living with medical conditions, cognitive impairments, or complex care needs, such as dementia, can benefit from the constant presence and support of caregivers.
Has frequent nighttime needs: 24-hour elderly care is best suited for seniors who require assistance with toileting, repositioning, or medication administration during the night, ensuring their safety.
Is at risk of falling or wandering: Seniors prone to falls or wandering due to mobility issues or cognitive decline may need round-the-clock care to minimize the risk of accidents or injuries.
Experiences severe anxiety or agitation: Seniors with anxiety, depression, or agitation related to their health conditions may benefit from 24-hour care, as caregivers can provide reassurance, emotional support, and timely interventions as needed.
The most significant advantage of 24/7 care for elderly adults is constant supervision. Since caregivers are present around the clock, they can quickly respond in the event of a medical emergency or accident. However, this advantage comes at a higher cost than live-in care, as 24-hour care for the elderly in their own home requires multiple caregivers.Keep reading to learn how live-in care differs and how to get 24-hour care for the elderly at home if that’s the right level of care for your loved one.
What Is Live-in Senior Care?
Live-in care involves a caregiver staying with the senior in their home, usually for an extended period. The caregiver helps with daily tasks, provides companionship, and monitors the senior's well-being, but is allowed breaks and time to sleep during the night.Live-in care is best for seniors who:
Need minimal assistance: Live-in care is ideal for seniors who require help with tasks such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and medication management but do not need round-the-clock supervision.
Have a stable nighttime routine: Live-in care works well for seniors who can generally sleep through the night without frequent assistance, as the caregiver will also need time to rest.
Value companionship: Seniors who may feel lonely or isolated can benefit from the consistent presence of a live-in caregiver who provides emotional support, conversation, and social engagement.
Prefer a familiar face: Live-in care offers the advantage of having a primary caregiver, allowing the senior to build a strong, trusting relationship with the caregiver and maintain a sense of stability.
Having a single caregiver provides continuity of care and allows for stronger bonds between the caregiver and the senior. However, the biggest disadvantage to live-in care is limited nighttime assistance. Live-in caregivers are entitled to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, leaving your parent without direct support during the night.
How to Get 24-hour Care for the Elderly at Home
While not all seniors are capable of living alone, nearly 90% of adults over 65 want to age in place. At Commonwise Home Care, we enable your elderly loved ones to live independently by caring for the elderly in their own home. Whatever form of care is required, we’re devoted to helping them retain their health, freedom, and good spirits.With our expert care managers and professionally trained caregivers, your loved one is in good hands. If your aging parent needs 24-hour care, our caregivers will support them throughout the day and night, giving you and your loved one peace of mind. Home care is not an easy conversation, but we’re here to walk you through it one step at a time. We encourage you to speak with one of our care advisors today to learn more about how Commonwise can support your family.
In-home elder care solutions in Charlottesville, Richmond, Williamsburg, VA and Charleston, SC.