Senior citizens who opt to age within the comfort of their own homes do so to maintain independence and control of their lives. But a lot of elderly individuals are unable to live at home without some amount of help or care to go about their everyday lives.
With our 24 Home Care services, one of our trained caregivers will always be at the home of your loved one, giving you and your family some peace of mind.
Certain seniors only need part-time help, but other seniors require in home care on a daily basis. Families whose elderly relatives need assistance more often may feel uneasy about their loved ones living alone, but that’s where we, at Assisting Hands, can help.
Assisting Hands Home Care provides live-in caregivers and 24-hour home care in Wheaton, IL, and throughout DuPage County. Our caregivers assist with personal care, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, mobility and companionship. We work with families to determine which care arrangement best fits their loved one’s daily routine and level of assistance.
Both Live In Care and 24 Hour Care is Covered By Long Term Care Insurance
Live-In Care vs. 24-Hour Home Care: What’s the Difference?
One of the first questions families ask is whether they should arrange for a live-in caregiver or have caregivers work around the clock. Both provide extended assistance at home, but the schedules and overnight coverage are different.
| Care Arrangement | Live-In Care | 24-Hour Home Care |
|---|---|---|
| Caregiver Schedule | A caregiver stays in the home for an assigned shift. | Caregivers rotate through scheduled shifts. |
| Overnight Availability | The caregiver has designated sleeping hours. | An awake caregiver is available throughout the night. |
| Sleeping Arrangements | A suitable bedroom or sleeping area is needed. | Caregivers leave after completing their shifts. |
| Staffing | Typically, two caregivers rotate. | Typically, two caregivers work 12-hour shifts. |
| Best For | Seniors who need regular daytime assistance and can accommodate scheduled caregiver rest. | Seniors who may need assistance or supervision at any hour, including overnight. |
Which option is right for your loved one?
Live-in care may work well for seniors who need help with daily activities but do not require frequent assistance throughout the night. On the other hand, 24-hour home care may be more appropriate for someone who needs regular nighttime assistance, has advanced mobility challenges or requires continuous supervision.
During an in-home consultation, we can discuss your loved one’s needs and available care arrangements.
Live-In Care For Seniors in Wheaton
With our live-in care services, two caregivers will be assigned to live with your loved one at his/her residence. Each caregiver takes a shift that lasts 3-4 days and then switches with the other assigned caregiver.
The live-in caregiver will address a variety of your loved one’s needs: bathing and grooming, meal preparation, getting in and out of bed, transportation, light housekeeping, and more.
With a caregiver at home with your loved one, you and your family will have peace of mind.
Days begin with the live-in caregiver waking your loved ones up in the morning, helping them get out of bed, and assisting with their morning routine.
After the client has gotten washed and dressed for the day, the caregiver prepares a nutritious breakfast and continues to take care of other care tasks. In addition, the caregiver makes sure your loved one eats proper meals and takes their medication.
Caregivers are also able to provide transportation for your elderly relatives whether it be to medical appointments or to run errands.
Furthermore, caregivers can be a great benefit to seniors who have lost their spouse or were recently in the hospital.
Preparing Your Home for a Live-In Caregiver
With a live-in caregiver, this person will be living at home with your loved one. As such, the caregiver needs a place to sleep and store their personal belongings. Additionally, the caregiver needs to be allowed at least five uninterrupted hours of sleep every night. When the time comes to switch shifts, the caregiver prepares the space for the next one.
24-Hour Home Care in Wheaton, IL
Our 24-hour care services are a bit different from the live-in care services that we provide. With our 24-hour care services, your loved one will have an alert and awake caregiver nearby at all hours of the day.
Two caregivers are assigned to a client and will alternate over 12-hour shifts. This means your elderly relative will have a caregiver to tend to his/her needs on a 24/7 basis. With these services, you do not need to supply a room for them to sleep in, because they do not live in your loved one’s home.
When Does an Aging Parent Need 24-Hour Care at Home?
It is not always one major incident that tells a family it is time to consider around-the-clock care. Sometimes, the signs appear gradually. You might notice that your parent is having more trouble with everyday activities, calling for help more frequently or becoming less comfortable being alone. Here are some situations worth paying attention to.
- Your Parent Has Frequent Falls or Trouble Walking: If your parent has fallen several times or struggles to get around the house, everyday activities can become difficult. Getting out of bed, walking to the bathroom and preparing meals may all require assistance. A caregiver can help with mobility and everyday routines. Families should also consider a professional fall-risk assessment when appropriate.
- Dementia Is Affecting Their Daily Routine: Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia may become confused about familiar surroundings, forget daily routines or wander away from home. These behaviors can happen during the day or at night. When a senior needs ongoing supervision, families may want to explore 24-hour dementia care.
- They Wake Frequently During the Night: Does your parent get up several times to use the bathroom? Do they need help getting out of bed or walking safely after dark? When nighttime assistance becomes frequent, a live-in caregiver’s scheduled sleeping hours may not be enough. An awake caregiver may be a better option.
- Personal Care Has Become Difficult: Bathing, dressing, grooming and using the bathroom are activities many people take for granted. But these tasks can become challenging as mobility and strength change. If your parent needs assistance several times throughout the day, extended home care may be worth considering.
- They Are Returning Home After a Hospital Stay: A hospital stay can change what an older adult is able to do independently. Even after being discharged, they may need help walking, preparing meals, bathing or following their daily routine. Families arranging a return home should consider what assistance will be needed during recovery. Depending on the situation, additional caregiver hours may be helpful alongside any prescribed skilled medical care.
Let’s Discuss Your Loved One’s 24-Hour Care Needs | Get Free Consultation
Whether your loved one needs live-in care or 24-hour home care in Wheaton, IL, our team is here to help you understand your options.
Call us today at (630) 634-9316 to schedule your free in-home consultation and discuss the right level of care for your family.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 24-hour care a good option for dementia?
For mid-to-late stage dementia, it’s often the safest choice at home. Sundowning, nighttime confusion, and wandering tend to get worse after dark, and an awake caregiver can redirect your loved one before a fall or an open door becomes an emergency. Our caregivers are trained in dementia care approaches like calm redirection and keeping a consistent daily routine.
Can family members continue visiting when a caregiver is in the home?
Absolutely. Having a caregiver does not mean family members need to step away from their parent’s daily life. Relatives can continue visiting, sharing meals, participating in care discussions and spending time together. Caregivers provide additional assistance so family members can focus on their relationship with their loved one.
Will my parent have the same caregivers every week?
We build a small, consistent team so your parent sees familiar faces. For live-in care, that’s usually two caregivers who alternate. For 24-hour care, it’s typically three to four people covering the shifts. If someone’s a poor fit, tell us and we’ll make a change.
Is 24-hour care only for the long term?
Not at all. Plenty of Wheaton families use it for two or three weeks after a surgery or a fall, or to cover a stretch when the family caregiver is traveling or burned out. You can scale up, scale down, or stop with notice.
Is live-in care cheaper than 24-hour care?
Usually, yes, and by a lot. Live-in care is billed as a flat daily rate, and in the western Chicago suburbs that typically runs about $430 to $500 a day. With 24-hour care, someone is awake and working the whole time, so it’s billed by the hour. At the Illinois median of about $36 an hour for a non-medical caregiver (CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey), 24 hours comes to roughly $860 a day. Rates depend on your loved one’s care needs, so we’ll give you an exact number after the free in-home assessment.
