When considering care for an elderly or disabled family member, there are several different options to choose from: live-in care, overnight care, 24/7 care, and many more. The right choice for your loved one will depend on your family’s needs and budget, among other factors.
24/7 home care, specifically, is a great avenue for individuals whose unique situations require more constant attention. As you consider whether 24/7 care could be the right choice for the senior in your life, keep in mind the following points.
Benefits of 24-Hour Home Care
24/7 home care is appropriate for seniors whose faculties have deteriorated significantly and for whom the need for outside assistance has become too great to sustain with part time care. Such seniors may be affected by dementia, mobility loss, or poor eyesight, among other ailments. Having a professional caregiver in the home at all times will ensure there is always support to help with basic tasks throughout the day and assist if anything goes wrong.
24/7 home care offers the following benefits:
- Safety
Obstacles and situations come up all the time that put the safety of elderly patients at risk. This could mean anything from a cord left out that could pose a tripping hazard to a broader external threat to the home. A 24/7 home caregiver can serve as the alert presence you need to identify these safety risks and resolve them quickly.
- Budget
Senior care facilities are notoriously expensive, making them out of reach for many families who need their assistance most. If affordability is an issue for your family, a 24/7 home caregiver can help provide the level of care provided by a facility without the full burden of the cost.
- Help with chores
Daily tasks such as washing dishes and folding laundry can sometimes be too much for elderly folks to handle on their own. With the help of a 24/7 caregiver, you and your family can rest assured that the essential everyday chores are still being completed without the need for your loved one’s involvement.
- Maintaining friends and family
When you choose to put your loved one in a senior care facility, they must abide by the rules of the facility in regard to inviting friends and family to visit. Remaining in the home gives seniors much more control over who they can see and when, allowing them to better sustain their relationships with close friends and family.
Who Benefits from 24/7 Home Care?
- Family caregivers who need respite
Caring for the elderly and disabled is a demanding role, both physically and mentally. Often when a senior’s health deteriorates quickly or there is no budget to hire outside care, a family member of the elderly person will take on the role, but the responsibility can be overwhelming. 24/7 home care eases the burdens placed on family caregivers by offering a trusted alternative to step in when they need a break or simply can’t handle all the responsibilities of care on their own. Whether this involves splitting up duties or taking over certain days of the week, a reliable 24/7 home care provider can significantly reduce the stress placed on the family caregiver.
- Dementia patients and individuals who need constant supervision
Individuals suffering from dementia experience a gradual deterioration of their memory which results in a loss of the ability to recall information and perform the daily tasks of life. In the early stages, the decline is often mild enough that a family caregiver can provide enough support to keep the affected person safe and healthy. However, as the condition progresses and the patient begins to fall more frequently, wander aimlessly around the house, and lose their ability to eat and drink without assistance, around-the-clock care becomes necessary.
- People who want to avoid residential facilities
Residential care facilities are a great choice for seniors who need assistance to live safely, but many elderly folks still desire to maintain their independence and live in the comfort of their homes. In these situations, a 24/7 home care provider can help fill the gap. Having a 24-hour caregiver within the home will ensure that your loved one gets the level of care and attention they require, without needing to give up the comfort and familiarity of living in their own home.
24/7 home care may not be necessary for every family, but there are many situations in which it is highly beneficial. Most notably, 24/7 home care advantages seniors who need constant care, family caregivers overwhelmed by their responsibilities, and individuals who want to maintain a degree of independence and enjoy the familiarity of home well into old age.
<strongPennsylvaniaisting Hands if you have an elderly loved one who could benefit from 24/7 home care in Collegeville, King of Prussia, Limerick, Norristown, West Norriton or surrounding areas in Montgomery County, PA. Our roster of highly trained and compassionate caregivers can step in and provide support for your family in a variety of capacities, from cleaning to companionship and simply ensuring your loved one is safe. We can be reached 7 days a week at (610) 541-2515.
