According to AARP, most Americans aged 65 and older anticipate needing long-term health services at some point. Among these services, 24-hour home care can play a critical role. Around-the-clock care is especially vital for seniors facing heightened fall risks, cognitive impairments, or chronic health conditions that require constant supervision. Here’s an overview of how seniors can access 24-hour home care.

Why Do Seniors Need 24-Hour Care at Home?

As people age, daily tasks that were once simple can become increasingly difficult. Mobility declines, memory fades, and health conditions become more complex, making independent living challenging for many seniors. For some older adults, these challenges reach a point where occasional help is no longer enough—this is when 24-hour home care becomes essential. Below are some signs that suggest your elderly might need a 24 hour assistance.

Frequent Falls and Injury Risks

Falls are one of the biggest dangers for older adults. As balance weakens, muscles lose strength, and reflexes slow down, the risk of falling increases significantly. A simple misstep in the home—such as tripping over a rug or losing balance when standing—can lead to broken bones, head injuries, and even life-threatening complications.

In fact, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among adults 65 and older, with over 36 million falls occurring each year in the U.S. (CDC). For seniors who have already fallen before, the risk of falling again doubles, making constant supervision even more critical.

Malnutrition and Poor Hydration

As seniors age, meal preparation and proper hydration can become major challenges. Cognitive decline, depression, medication side effects, or physical limitations can cause older adults to forget to eat or drink, leading to malnutrition and dehydration.

Without proper nutrition, seniors may experience weakness, dizziness, and unintended weight loss, making them more vulnerable to illness and infections. Dehydration is just as dangerous—it can cause confusion, fainting, kidney problems, and heat exhaustion.

Memory Loss, Dementia, and Wandering

For seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, wandering, confusion, and forgetfulness become serious concerns. It’s estimated that 6 in 10 seniors with dementia will wander at least once, often leaving them lost or in potentially dangerous situations (Alzheimer’s Association).

Without supervision, a senior may:

• Leave home in the middle of the night and become disoriented
• Walk into traffic or unsafe areas
• Forget to lock the door, allowing strangers to enter
• Struggle to find their way back home after going outside

Helpful Article: When is 24 Care Needed for Dementia Patients

Post-Hospitalization Recovery

After a surgery, illness, or hospital stay, seniors often face a difficult recovery period. They may struggle with fatigue, pain, medication management, and mobility, making even simple tasks overwhelming.

Without proper assistance, recovery can be delayed, and the risk of complications—such as falls, infections, or re-hospitalization—increases.

Assistance for Bedbound Seniors

Seniors who are bedbound due to illness, injury, or advanced age require specialized care to ensure their comfort and prevent serious health issues. Without proper movement, they are at high risk for developing bedsores (pressure ulcers), poor circulation, and muscle atrophy.

Relief for Overwhelmed Family Caregivers

Caring for an elderly loved one is physically and emotionally exhausting, especially when care is needed around the clock. Family members who take on the responsibility of caregiving often experience:

• Sleep deprivation from constantly checking on their loved one
• Emotional stress from witnessing their loved one’s health decline
• Physical strain from assisting with mobility and daily tasks

Over time, the demands of caregiving can lead to burnout, depression, and even health issues for family members.

What Do 24-Hour Caregivers Do?

When 24-hour care is scheduled, one caregiver is assigned to supervise the older adult during the shift. Typically, two caregivers work 12-hour shifts or three caregivers work 8-hour shifts. The rotation of caregivers ensures the professionals are always alert to address issues that arise.

Professional caregivers provide a comprehensive range of non-medical care services to meet the needs of the elderly care recipient. Services include healthy meal preparation and assistance with eating. The caregiver serves the senior beverages throughout the day to ensure they are properly hydrated.

Transportation and escort are provided to the doctor’s office. If the senior is diagnosed with dementia, a 24-hour caregiver remains vigilant to prevent wandering. A caregiver trained in memory care utilizes distraction techniques to calm other dementia symptoms, such as agitation and restlessness.

The senior receives assistance with hygiene tasks, such as bathing and dressing. Medication reminders are provided to ensure the care recipient takes the right doses on schedule. Plus, 24-hour caregivers deter an older adult’s loneliness and isolation by serving as engaging companions.

How Do Families Obtain 24-Hour Home Care?

When the need for 24-hour home care is clear, families have numerous resources available to them to help them find the right service. Eldercare Locator, provided by the US Department on Aging, is a free service that connects families to community resources, like home care providers.

Many families obtain 24-hour home care through reputable home care agencies. Friends, members of a faith community, or relatives may be able to recommend one that they trust. Or conduct a search of home care agencies online and read the customer reviews to get a first impression.

Utilizing a local home care agency for 24-hour care is preferred because the agency manages the caregiver and payroll. Plus, back-up caregivers are dispatched in the event the original caregiver falls sick. In general, a reputable agency delivers greater confidence and security to the family.

Families should discuss the 24-hour care options with the agency to ensure their services meet their needs. The home care agency may offer live-in care and 24-hour care options. The former involves one caregiver who receives a sleep break, while the latter provides multiple caregivers working in shifts.

Helpful Article: 7 Benefits of Hiring a Caregiver for 24 Hour In Home Care

24-Hour Care from Assisting Hands

When opting for 24-hour home care through a reputable agency, such as Assisting Hands Home Care, families are assured of an experienced, skilled professional. All caregivers pass background checks and are licensed, bonded, and insured to give families maximum peace of mind.

Our caregivers also receive training in CPR and know how to respond during an emergency. We conduct fall risk assessments in the senior’s home and remove fall hazards, like clutter, to prevent accidents. Caregivers provide transfer and mobility assistance to give older adults confidence at home.

Additional care services include healthy meal preparation, timely medication reminders, light housekeeping, and transportation and escort to nearby areas, like the doctor’s office or pharmacy. We’re also a source of vital social support and interact with seniors via conversations, puzzles, and hobbies.

Your aging loved one is never left alone, as our attentive 24-hour caregivers remain with the senior at all times to ensure they receive high-quality care and supervision. If the older adult has returned from a hospital stay, our caregivers meet their daily care needs to promote a speedy recovery.

Consult Assisting Hands Home Care when the senior in your life would benefit from dependable 24-hour care. Our dedicated caregivers serve Palos Heights, Illinois. Schedule a free in-home consultation today to learn how our elder home care services can promote the health and well-being of your loved one.