Is 24 Hour Home Care Right for Your Family? Here’s the Answer
Providing care for your family member, especially a senior loved one, can be both a huge blessing and a challenge. When there are health issues, age-related challenges, and daily support needs rise, families often find themselves having to make the big decision regarding homecare options. While there are many types of homecare services, 24 hour homecare is one of the most comprehensive homecare options. However, do you feel that it is the right option for your family? Let’s discuss what homecare is, the benefits, and how it compares to other care models.
24 hour homecare means that professional caregivers are available at all hours of the day, meaning that your loved one is never without care. Unlike part-time care where caregivers visit the client for just a few hours a day, 24 hour homecare provides constant care, supervision, and help when needed.
Caregivers usually work in shifts, allowing for an awake, alert and more than ready caregiver with your loved one around the clock. This helps to ensure safety, companionship and timely care. Most importantly, they are able to age-in-place in their own home!
Reasons Families Opt for 24 Hour Home Care
- Security and Oversight
Having someone available 24/7 is a lifesaver for seniors who are prone to falls, wandering, or potential medical emergencies.
- Individualized Attention
Homecare services focus exclusively on what the individual needs, while nursing homes will be asked to split their attention across numerous patients during the day.
- Comfort of Home
Most seniors would prefer to stay at home and be surrounded by things they are familiar with rather than be relocated into an institution, so home senior companion care is usually far more comfortable.
- Worry-Free for families
Once you know your loved one has someone with them, they will never be alone again, and this brings peace of mind to families that might not be able to provide 24/7 service themselves.
The Impact of Senior Companion Care in 24 Hour Home Care
One of the cornerstones of 24 hour home care is senior companion care. In addition to medical care, a number of seniors need companionship – – a person to talk to, a person to play card games with, a person to eat a meal with, or just someone to help them emotionally. Loneliness can severely affect mental health, and companion care can plug this gap.
In addition, companion caregivers can also help with light housekeeping, meal preparation, reminders for medication, or who can get them to their appointments. This helps to create schedules for caregivers and daily routines that are healthy and productive.
Is 24 Hour Home Care Necessary for Every Family?
Not every family has the need for continuous care for that matter. When thinking about whether 24 hour home care is required for your parent or loved one, assess the following:
- Medical Needs: Does your loved one have chronic illnesses, dementia, or an ongoing medical condition that requires constant monitoring?
- Activities of Daily Living: Is your loved one able to perform bathing, dressing and meals independently, or do they require help with all the daily activities?
- Safety: Is your loved one at risk of falling, wandering, forgetting medications, etc.?
- Family: Do you (or other family) live nearby and have time to care, or will they need professional support?
If you answered mostly needs continuous supervision, then homecare with 24 hour support may be the best option.
Benefits of 24 Hour Home Care Compared to Alternatives
24 Hour Home Care Comparison There are several differences that should be made when comparing 24 hour homecare to other supportive living arrangements.
- Vs. Assisted Living Facilities. Assisted living facilities offer community support but they may not provide caregiver(s) near the same level of direct personalized one on one care that a 24 hour homecare arrangement can provide. 24 hour home care guarantees all of the caregiver’s attention.
- Vs. Part-Time Care. Part-time offers some benefit, but there are gaps with part time attendant care and those gaps can be worrisome. With 24 Hour Homecare service, those gaps are eliminated.
- Vs. Independent Family Care. Family caregivers are often juggling work and family commitments and should rely on family care only as a last resort. Having a senior companion homecare service will reduce caregiver fatigue with similar individualized care without placing the burden on family.
How Do I Choose the Right Homecare Service Providers?
- When choosing a homecare provider be sure they:
- Have licensed and trained caregivers.
- Offers flexible plans for both medical and senior companion care.
- Are able to provide customers with good references and pricing transparency.
- Provide emergency service and back-up caregivers as needed.
Keep in mind, the right homecare service is more than just about physical care, it is about independence, dignity, and quality of life.
Final Thought
Whether 24 hour home care is appropriate for your loved one depends on their individual situation as well as your family’s needs. If safety, companionship, and ongoing assistance for them are priorities when considering care, 24 hour home care is a consistent option. 24 hour home care balances the professional duty of the caregivers and provides the security of being at home to ensure that the elderly.
Overall, 24 hour home care allows for families to know their seniors are not only safe, but are able to live with the dignity and peace that they deserve.
FAQs About 24 Hour Home Care
1. What is the differentiation between live-in care and 24 hour home care?
Live-in care typically means your caregiver will sleep at home overnight, while 24 hour home care has caregivers in a shift format with someone being awake at all times.
2. Does 24 hour home care come with medical care?
That can differ from provider to provider. Some caregivers only provide non-medical support, while others can provide skilled nursing as part of the homecare service.
3. What is senior companion care in relation to 24 hour home care?
Senior companion care will make sure your loved one has emotional/ social support in addition to physical support which will enhance their overall wellbeing.
4. Is 24 hour home care more expensive than assisted living?
Cost will vary, but while 24 hour home care can be more expensive, you get tailored care for your loved one one-on-one, care that is delivered in the comfort of home.
5. Can I personalize the 24 home care my family receives?
Yes, many providers allow the family to customize homecare services as well as the mix of medical, personal and senior companion care.
