24 Hour Live-In Care for Seniors

As any family’s loved ones’ needs continue to grow and change with age, it is important to consider options for providing that care. Many families find that the in-home care they have been receiving does not meet the needs of their loved one anymore, and that more help is needed than what was previously prescribed. The solution to many of these problems may be to utilize an agency’s care services on a 24-hour per day basis.  

What are my in-home care options?

24-hour elderly care can be broken into two groups: Live-In Care and Round-the-Clock Shift Care. In either instance, a family can take solace in the fact that their loved one will never be alone in the home. Caregivers involved in 24-hour care will be able to assist their clients with all Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), including eating, walking, bathing, toileting, and everything in-between. These caregivers can also prepare meals, handle housekeeping, companionship/mental stimulation, and even provide transportation to appointments when necessary.

Why choose a 24-Hour Live-In Caregiver?

Live-In Caregivers are a great choice for clients who need assistance at varied times or for clients who prefer to build a relationship with one caregiver only. Live-Ins are especially great at forming bonds with not only their clients, but also with the client’s family and friends. They excel at keeping routines with their clients and helping them with any tasks they may need throughout the day. Keep in mind that, although a Live-In is available to their client at all hours of the day and night, they also require personal break time during the day, and a place in the house where they can sleep and store their personal belongings.  A nice way to visualize a Live-In caregiver is to think of having 10 hours of care per day spread out over 16 hours.  We say 16 hours instead of 24 hours because the Live-In caregiver will be sleeping when their client is sleeping.  This model is best for when the client is independent enough in the home that they do not require a caregiver with them the entire day/night.

What is different about Round-the-Clock Shift Care?

While many clients find a Live-In’s care to be very beneficial, some clients require a higher level of care throughout the day and night. For these clients, we recommend Round-the-Clock Shift Care. Clients choosing this option will experience the highest level of in-home care, including the safety and security of knowing an aide is always ready to help.  This model of care is also more expensive than the Live-In model because the caregiver is always actively engaged with the client.

What type of 24-hour in-home care is right for me? 

For some clients that are up a lot throughout the night, a Live-In caregiver may not be the best option for you.  A good rule of thumb is that if the client is awake more than once or twice during the night, then they may not be appropriate for a Live-In caregiver.  Another example is if the client has an Alzheimer’s/dementia related disease and cannot be left alone at all throughout the day for safety reasons. In this instance, a Live-In caregiver is not the correct choice and Round-the-Clock Care Shift Care is the best option.  One more important point to consider: if your loved one can be left alone for time throughout the day, but gets up multiple times during the night, a Live-In caregiver with an 8 hour overnight shift is a potential option for you. This option will be less expensive than Round-the-Clock Shift Care and still offer great coverage for your loved one.

Bottom-line you have a few options to consider with your elderly loved one that needs in-home care. Contact our team at Home To Stay, serving Central and Southern New Jersey, to discuss your current situation and we can provide options to care for your loved one. All consultations are free of charge and there is no obligation. Get started by calling our Cherry Hill 856-321-1500 or Red Bank 732-820-9611 office today.