When your elderly loved one is in need of care around the clock, it can be difficult for you and your family members to juggle — especially when perhaps work, distance, and your own families to care for are factors. Visiting regularly is certainly an option, but you may find an added stress when you realize that your loved one needs more care than just frequent check-ins.
Knowing your options is key to beginning to make the right choice for your loved one. While you and your family may worry about moving your elderly relative to an assisted living facility, this is not your only choice. You have tons of options when it comes to in home care, one of which includes 24-hour care.
How to Know if Your Loved One Needs 24-Hour Care
To start, it’s important to look for indicators that your loved one is in need of 24-hour care. Some of these signs you’ll notice from your elderly parent or relative can include:
• Needing help with dressing, eating, drinking, or other normal activities
• Slower movement, especially when it comes to using the bathroom, which can lead to frequent accidents
• Confusion, or other signs of dementia
• Bruising that can indicate falls, or decreased mobility
It’s important to be observant of these signs, and not to wait for your loved one to tell you if they need help. Aging, in itself, can be a difficult time for your loved one. Asking for help can have them feeling like their losing independence, or worse, that they may need to leave their homes.
Luckily, with 24-hour care, your loved one can remain comfortable in his or her home. This type of care is provided by a home aide who is highly trained to help your elderly parent or relative with the specific care that he or she needs.
What is 24-Hour Care?
24-hour care is different than live-in care. With live-in care, usually one caregiver will provide assistance during the week, and another caregiver will take over on the weekends. 24-hour care usually consists of two or more caregivers who rotate shifts day and night.
This type of care ensures that your loved one continuously has the attention that he or she needs, no matter what time of day or night. Because of the shift rotations, the caregivers are alert and ready for whatever it is that your loved one may need. This is especially ideal if your loved one suffers from sundown syndrome or tends to wander at night.
Learn More About 24-Hour Care
If you think that your loved one may be in need of 24-hour care, our team at WellSprings Home Care is here to help. To learn more, contact us at (610) 463-0880, and one of our friendly team members will be happy to answer any questions or concerns.
