Is Your Loved One in Need of High-End Home Care?
Has your parent or older loved one’s health been on the decline, even with some level of in-home assistance? Are you, or other family caregivers, feeling the strain and losing valuable sleep? Regardless of whether your loved one resides independently or with family, All Day Home Care is positioned to seamlessly transition to full-time care, for the well-being of everyone involved if and when that time comes.
Initiating 24/7 care can feel overwhelming for families, but the consequences of delaying can be far more alarming. Risks of serious falls leading to swift health deterioration, potential fires linked to confusion or cognitive challenges, or the necessity of relocating to a care facility can loom large. If your goal is to keep your loved one safe and comfortable in their own home, here are essential indicators that it’s time to engage professional caregivers for more comprehensive support.
Key Indicators Your Loved One Requires 24/7 Care
1. Frequent falls or unstable balance
2. Confusion regarding day and nighttime
3. Difficulty with eating or drinking without help
4. Instances of fainting or confusion as a result of dehydration
5. Wandering from home or episodes of getting lost
6. Increased bathroom accidents
7. Sleepwalking or nighttime wandering
8. Post-surgery, hospitalization, or rehabilitation facility recovery
9. Bedbound status or development of bedsores
10. Family caregivers experiencing chronic stress or sleep deprivation that affects their health and quality of life
Getting Started with 24-Hour Care
When considering 24/7 care, it’s prudent to enlist a licensed and insured home care agency. This approach provides peace of mind, security, and the reliability of backup caregivers when necessary. While care regulations vary by location there are general structures for round-the-clock care:
Live-in Care
One caregiver works a full day, receiving breaks and resting for eight hours in a private bedroom within the client's home.
24/7 Care
Either two caregivers on 12-hour shifts or three caregivers on 8-hour shifts. Unlike live-in care, the nighttime caregiver remains awake to assist with nighttime needs such as bathroom trips, changing briefs, medication reminders, and more.
The numbers behind family caregiving
Questions to Ask a Home Care Agency
- How many caregivers are involved in each shift, and how are they scheduled?
- Can I meet each caregiver beforehand? Will my loved one have the opportunity to interact with them?
- Will the same caregivers be assigned weekly?
- How does the agency handle unforeseen caregiver absences? Are there provisions for “fill-in” caregivers?
- Can family members coordinate care with agency caregivers? How will this be structured?
- Who can I contact for assistance if issues arise?
- Are any caregivers certified as Nursing Assistants (CNAs)?
- Are there specific tasks that caregivers are not allowed to perform?
- Will a supervisor conduct regular visits to our home? How frequently?
- What advantages does working with an agency provide compared to hiring a private caregiver for 24-hour care?
While some families opt to hire private caregivers directly, it’s essential to recognize the complexities involved. Without agency oversight, you face the responsibility of scheduling, finding replacement caregivers, and managing payroll, taxes, worker’s compensation, and liability insurance.