What is 24-Hour Home Care?
For a lot of families, there comes a time when caring for mom or dad becomes a 24-hour commitment. They’re at risk of falling. They wander out of bed at night. They can’t bathe and dress themselves.
When seniors are unable to care for themselves and do not have in-home assistance, they are at risk of serious injury or harm. A few risks include:
- Falls – Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults, according to the National Council on Aging. Inadequate Housekeeping – Clutter can lead to falls. Expired food left in the refrigerator can lead to illness. Unclean bathroom areas can contribute to illness, too.
- Limited Mobility – As we age, getting around gets more difficult. Caregivers help seniors safely move and exercise to preserve strength.
- Social Isolation and Loneliness – Studies show that lack of companionship can contribute to cognitive decline, such as dementia.
It might be time for some help. Before you commit, it’s important to know your 24-hour senior care options.
24-hour in-home care can be a good option for many families. 24-hour care means you have shifts of consistent Caregivers at your home providing monitoring every hour of the day. Some agencies offer live-in care, but the main difference is that with live-in care, the Caregivers don’t stay away during sleeping hours.
Who Needs 24-Hour Care?
24-hour in-home care is ideal for seniors who need constant monitoring, such as if they:
- Need constant monitoring
- Are at risk for waking at night, wandering or leaving the house or falling out of bed
- Are incontinent or need assistance going to the bathroom
- Are not mobile or need assistance moving around safely
- Have chronic illness or advanced Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia or Parkinson’s Disease
Understanding Medical vs. Non-Medical Care
There are big differences between medical home care and non-medical home care.
Medical home care is medical support provided by licensed professionals at home. A doctor usually prescribes home health care, and it is usually can be arranged through home health agencies or hospice agencies: This type of medical home care is usually short-term, such as after a hospital stay or a visit to physical rehabilitation.
Associated Home Care provides non-medical home care. Our Caregivers range in skills from Companions, Certified Home Health Aides, or Certified Nursing Aides. Regardless of their titles, professional, non-medical home care Caregivers help with daily needs such as:
- Cleaning and organizing a senior’s home
- Transportation to appointments or errands
- Assistance with toileting, bathing or grooming
- Medication management and reminders
- Meal prep and grocery shopping
- Companionship
- Respite care to give family caregivers a break
- Coordinating medical care visits, doctor appointments, medication organization and physical therapy regimens
- Basic first aid
- Supporting end-of-life plans
Associated Home Care also has licensed Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses for clients who need a higher level of care and oversight. These nurses can administer medications and tend to wounds. They are available on an as-needed basis with our 24-hour Caregiving services.
Some families hire a 24-hour home care Caregiver in addition to hospice services, skilled nursing, occupational and physical therapy and other healthcare providers who are not able to be present all day and night. This approach can be more cost-effective for families. The cost of 24-hour non-medical care averages $27/hour to $38/hour, whereas Skilled Nursing can cost $50 to $130 hourly, according to Nurse Next Door.
Be Ready for the Future
Even if you or your loved ones may not need home care right now, it’s important to research your options to be ready for the future.
The nonprofit Foundation for Senior Living says many seniors prefer to stay at home. “When an elderly parent or relative needs more care, choosing home care services can be a much better option than relocating your loved one to a nursing or retirement home. In-home senior care can help a senior cope much better with their changing circumstances. Usually, a senior will prefer to live at home rather than move to unfamiliar surroundings,” the organization explained.
Associated Home Care can provide you with a free consultation so you will be ready if and when you need 24-hour home care.
Get Started Today
Associated Home Care’s Caregivers provide personalized attention that helps seniors live at home safely and comfortably for as long as possible.
It’s easy to get started with Associated Home Care. Our care is flexible and can adapt to your family’s changing needs.
Ready to begin, Or, have additional questions?
Don’t delay – Contact us today!
Call us at (800) 281-0878
Or, Request Information on Associated Home Care’s website.