Private in-home care can take different forms, including personal care. Personal care is a type of private in-home care where an independent care provider comes to the individual’s home for a specified number of hours each day to help with getting dressed and groomed, assist with meals, and offer services related to daily living tasks. Private in-home care can also take the form of 24-hour care, also known as continuous care around the clock, 24/7 care. The question that many people ask themselves is, “When is 24-hour care the best option?”
In today’s blog, we present a few cases where 24-hour home care is extremely beneficial to give you a better idea of when this option may be the better one for you.
Case 1: An Individual Who Wanders or Becomes Disoriented
Especially with people who have been diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or other related conditions, there may be a propensity to get up in the middle of the night and wander around. The person may even go outside, which can endanger them, particularly if a sense of disorientation sets in and it becomes a big challenge to return home.
Private care providers can stay with a loved one 24 hours a day, via 8- to 12-hour shifts per care provider, to ensure the individual doesn’t wander through the home or outside of it, thus keeping the individual safe. This type of 24-hour in-home care, including continuous care around the clock, provides peace of mind for family members, knowing that their loved one is constantly monitored and safe.
Case 2: Someone Recovering From Hip Surgery
For older individuals in particular, recovery from surgery can take a long time. Something as major as hip surgery can leave someone needing continuous care around the clock well after they’ve been sent home from the hospital or from a rehabilitation facility. In these instances, 24-hour care, including continuous care around the clock, can prove invaluable, since the individual may need assistance or pain relief any time of day or night. Private duty care providers offering 24/7 support can ensure that the individual gets the care they need during this critical recovery period.
Case 3: When Medications Are Required Around the Clock
Certain conditions require the administration of medications every few hours without fail. If these medications are not administered, the individual can suffer and decline considerably. It is impractical to expect a spouse, adult child, or other loved one to wake up every few hours and administer the proper medication doses. A team of private care providers, each putting in an 8- or 12-hour shift, is able to handle this important responsibility without losing sleep or accidentally missing a dose. This type of 24-hour home care, including continuous care around the clock, ensures that medication schedules are strictly followed, promoting the health and well-being of the individual.
Case 4: If Night-Time Bathroom Trips Are Frequent
If numerous night-time trips to use the bathroom have become the norm for an elderly loved one who needs toileting assistance, it’s probably time for 24-hour care. Just as with the case of night-time medication needs, it becomes impossible for a loved one to help with night-time bathroom needs day after day, night after night. Since it’s very important that you get enough sleep, a 24-hour care provider, offering continuous care around the clock, can become invaluable in a case like this. This type of 24/7 home care helps maintain the individual’s dignity while ensuring they receive the support they need during the night.
If we can be of assistance in referring a care provider who can meet the home care needs of you or a loved one, please contact us at (239) 920-3902. Our team at Collier Home Care is committed to delivering a personalized referral service that meets your individual needs and expectations. We believe in a client-first approach and we are ready to go the extra mile to ensure your complete satisfaction with our referral services.