February 12, 2024
Do you know the difference between 24-hour care and live-in care services?
As older loved ones navigate aging at home, their needs change progressively and require you to reevaluate their ideal care model. Initially, their care journey might have involved a dedicated home caregiver assisting them with housekeeping and preparing meals. However, a few hours of assistance each day may simply not be enough to ensure safety over time. As their care requirements evolve, older loved ones may need more assistance at night, requiring more support.
Understanding these ever-changing care needs, live-in care services from a trusted home care agency like Continuum may be the best solution!
What Does Live-In Care Entail?
With a live-in care model, there is always a caregiver present in the home to offer support day and night. It’s crucial to note that the caregiver isn’t constantly providing care; during nighttime hours, their primary role is to be available for emergencies. While not continuously tending to the older adult, they serve as a reassuring presence.
An important requirement of live-in care is that caregivers need to have a private bedroom in the home. Furthermore, these dedicated caregivers are entitled to eight hours of break time, including a restful five-hour sleep period. These parameters are in place to ensure the caregiver’s wellbeing so that they can provide the best quality of care possible at all times.
What’s the Difference Between Live-In Care and 24-Hour Care?
Although there are similarities between both models of care, there are key differences to note as well. In 24-hour care, the caregiver doesn’t reside in the home, eliminating the need for a designated bedroom. The absence of a live-in arrangement means that a team of caregivers in a 24-hour care setting gets compensated hourly, providing constant, around-the-clock care.
When Is Live-In Care Best?
Contemplating live-in care for an aging loved one warrants consideration of specific factors:
- Do both you and the older adult value personalized, one-on-one care that fosters independence?
- Is there concern about potential nighttime emergencies?
- Is leaving the elderly person alone at home worrisome?
- Does the individual prefer a consistent relationship with their caregiver?
- Are you seeking a more budget-friendly care option compared to 24-hour care?
If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, you may need to look into live-in care services. In such cases, Continuum extends its live-in care services to St. Louis and nearby areas, ensuring peace of mind for both you and your older family member.
Our care professionals are poised to provide reassurance, offering customizable services day and night. If live-in care resonates as the ideal solution for an older adult in your life, reach out to us online or at 314-863-9912. If you’re in St. Louis, Kirkwood, Clayton, Ladue, Sunset Hills, or the surrounding areas, let us help someone you love live a safer and more comfortable life, starting with an in-home consultation today!