Receiving live-in care has many advantages, as does 24-hour care. However, they aren’t the same. Families need to decide which option is best for their aging loved ones. Some of the benefits of each choice are listed below. Regardless of your choice, the objective is for your loved one to remain safe at home and for you and your family to have relief.
Caregivers
With live-in care, generally, two caregivers are assigned to your loved one’s home and alternate throughout the week, allowing each to manage their family and personal commitments. They provide care during both day and night and promptly respond to any overnight emergencies. It’s important to note that live-in caregivers also require rest, making this option most suitable for individuals who don’t require extensive nighttime care.
In contrast, 24-hour care stands out as the optimal choice for individuals in need of continuous assistance and supervision. With this care option, a team of several caregivers operates in shifts to provide care around the clock to ensure your loved one’s needs are always addressed.
Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Corio by Institute on Aging (IOA) is here to help.
Break Hours
One advantage many family caregivers prefer with 24-hour care is that sleeping breaks and longer breaks throughout the day aren’t necessary. For example, if your family cannot step in when a caregiver is on a break, even for a few hours each day, the 24-hour home care option will ensure a caregiver is there at all times.
On the other hand, live-in caregivers require breaks to rest, making this option most suitable for individuals who don’t require extensive care throughout the night. Break hours are also necessary for professional caregivers to handle personal situations and commitments and to have time for themselves to relax and recharge. The negative side is that families may not have anyone to step in during these break hours, which could leave their loved ones alone and without assistance.
Bonding
Becoming familiar with their caregivers is something families often wish for, so they tend to go with live-in care. Having two individuals rotate living with your loved one can provide more consistency, which is excellent if your loved one is living with a health condition or disease that impacts memory, thinking, and communication skills, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. It’s also important to note that live-in caregivers are obligated to maintain their own primary residences.
If multiple caregivers arrive at the home each week, which is typical with 24-hour care, your loved one may need more support to maintain consistency. Therefore, determine if developing fulfilling relationships is most important and, if so, having the same two caregivers is the best option.
One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide 24-hour care as well as overnight and live-in care. Families can turn to Corio by IOA for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.
Costs
If your loved one receives 24-hour care, it may be more expensive because your family is billed at an hourly rate. In contrast, live-in care generally comes with a fixed flat rate that families and care agencies agree to before hiring. Check the options with your loved one’s health insurance provider, as some carriers will pay for both live-in and 24-hour care expenses.
For many seniors, live-in or 24-hour home care is an essential component of aging in place safely and comfortably. However, it’s important for them to have caregivers they can trust and rely on. At Corio by IOA, we extensively screen all of our live-in and 24-hour caregivers and only hire those who have experience in the senior home care San Francisco industry. Our strict requirements ensure seniors can remain in the comfort of home with a reduced risk of injury or serious illness. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call one of our experienced Connect Specialists at (415) 750-4111 today.