As people age and their needs change, the level of support they need to live safely at home may change, too. At first, in-home care assistance may include a caregiver who helps get their day started and prepares nutritious meals. As care needs change, however, receiving assistance for only a few hours a day may no longer be sufficient. Eventually, a person may start to struggle with navigating daily tasks that occur late at night, or they may run into issues in the middle of the night that require assistance. As care need change, it may lead family caregivers to ask: “Is live-in care best for my loved one?”
What Exactly Is Live-In Home Care?
With a live-in care model, a caregiver will live in the home with an older adult at all times – day and night. However, it’s important to remember that the caregiver will not actively be delivering care nonstop. For example, at night, the main benefit of having a live-in caregiver is that they are present for emergencies that may occur, but they will not stay awake to constantly care for the older adult.
With live-in care services it’s also important to keep in mind that the caregiver is required to have a private bedroom in the home. Additionally, a live-in caregiver is required to have eight hours of break time that includes at least five hours of uninterrupted sleep. These requirements ensure that a live-in caregiver maintains their well-being and is in the best condition to deliver exceptional care.
What’s the Difference Between Live-In Care and 24-Hour Care?
Live-in care and 24-hour care do have a lot of similarities, however, there are key differences to keep in mind. A caregiver does not live in the home with a 24-hour care model, so there is no requirement for a designated bedroom. 24-hour in-home care also means that the person’s rotating team of caregivers are available to provide constant, hands-on care around the clock.
When Is Live-In Care the Best Option?
If you’re considering live-in care services for a loved one but aren’t sure if it’s the right fit, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you or the older adult anxious about what emergencies may arise during the night?
- Would you and the older adult prefer 1:1 care that still leaves room for independence at home?
- Does the person needing care prefer to have a more consistent relationship with the individual delivering their care?
- Is leaving the aging adult home alone a concern?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, live-in care services may be the best option. And if that’s the case, CareFor offers customized live-in care services in Austin, Georgetown, San Marcos, and the surrounding areas .
Our expert caregivers can bring you and your loved one peace of mind, knowing that we’ll be there to help any time of the day and night. If you think live-in care is the best option for an older adult in your life, contact us at (512) 338-4533 to learn more about our customized in-home care services and to set up an in-home consultation today!