As individuals age, they may require more attention and care. Statistics show that almost half of those aged 65 and above need daily assistance. When deciding on how to best care for your loved one, you have three choices: moving them to an assisted living facility or nursing home, taking on the caregiving responsibilities yourself, or hiring an in-home caregiver. While nursing homes offer constant care, they can also cause distress as the patient is separated from their home and family, potentially leading to anxiety and depression. Opting to personally provide care is commendable, but it can also result in caregiver burnout. Additionally, without proper training, you may struggle to meet your family member's needs.

The terms "live-in care" and "24-hour care" may appear to be interchangeable, but there are distinct differences that should be considered before making a decision. It is crucial to comprehend these variances before selecting a caregiver. Prior to commencing your search for the appropriate type of care, take note of your loved one's requirements. This will enable you to make a more informed decision on which continuous care option will suit your family best. Nevertheless, the 24-hour care setup might be the most suitable choice for them. Continue reading to discover the disparities between these two care arrangements and why one may offer greater benefits to the elderly individual in your life.

Live-In Care

Live-in care refers to the arrangement where a caregiver resides on the premises at all times. It is important to note that the caregiver does not permanently reside in your home. Rather, they are present on-site for a 24-hour period. Once their shift is completed, the caregiver may either return to their own home or continue with another consecutive shift for your family. Unlike having a team of caregivers who rotate through shifts, live-in care involves booking one caregiver for a maximum of four to five days per week. These shifts span 24 hours, with a state mandatory 8-hour sleeping break. To hire a live-in care provider, it is necessary to provide a bed or bedroom. In addition to the sleeping break, a 4-hour daily break must also be allocated.

Live-in care offers a convenient solution for families seeking to minimize the number of caregivers involved in providing assistance. Typically, only 2 caregivers need to be scheduled to cover an entire week, fostering closer relationships and ensuring seamless care. Unlike 24-hour care, live-in care is billed on a flat rate basis per day of employment, rather than by the hour. This straightforward billing method is preferred by many due to its simplicity. It is worth mentioning that live-in care availability varies across different states in the U.S.

Nevertheless, it is equally important to consider the drawbacks of this form of treatment. The main issue lies in the mandatory breaks that are necessary. With only one caregiver scheduled at a time, this arrangement could pose challenges. If you are worried about your loved one being under constant supervision, the idea of an 8-hour sleep break and a 4-hour daily break might appear overwhelming. There is no way to predict when your loved one might fall, experience chest pain, or other emergency symptoms, or even worse. To address this concern, many families choose to have a secondary caregiver fill in during the breaks to ensure continuous monitoring of their loved one. While this approach limits the number of caregivers involved in your loved one's care, it also offers the around-the-clock attention you require. However, covering the costs of overlapping care can be costly and complex to manage.

24-Hour Homecare

If live-in care is not a suitable option for your family's lifestyle and schedule, or if it is not permitted in your state, you may want to consider 24-hour homecare instead. Similar to live-in care, this type of care offers continuous assistance throughout the day and night. However, instead of having one caregiver responsible for the entire 24-hour period, two caregivers are scheduled to work 12-hour shifts each, ensuring coverage for the entire day. Since the caregivers work shorter shifts, there is no requirement to provide a sleep break or a dedicated bed or bedroom, unless you prefer to do so.

One advantage of 24-hour home care is its increased flexibility compared to live-in care. You have the option to schedule caregivers for 12-hour shifts or hire 3 caregivers for 8-hour shifts, ensuring optimal alertness at all times. Unlike live-in care, 24-hour home care is charged on an hourly basis. It is worth mentioning that this type of care is permitted in all states.

In general, the 24-hour staff will provide more attentive care to your loved one due to working 2 shorter, 12-hour shifts. They will be mentally alert to address your senior's health needs and physically capable of handling tasks like lifting. With staff awake throughout their shift, you can rest assured that any health needs during the night or early morning will be promptly addressed. Opting for 24-hour care ensures around-the-clock, dedicated service by trained professionals, offering a level of supervision comparable to a nursing home while preserving privacy and independence.

Making the Right Choice for Your Loved One

While your decision between 24-hour or live-in care should be determined by preference and the needs of your loved one, heed this advice before deciding, carefully weighing your options and goals. Then, contact Viera Homecare. Viera Homecare is pleased to provide a variety of homecare choices specifically tailored to fit your needs. Whether you require around-the-clock assistance or you’re simply looking for a qualified caregiver to provide help a few hours a week, we’re here for you. So, why wait? Discover how we can improve your loved one’s home life today, giving you the confidence that they’re attended to when you can’t be around to provide for them.