When an elderly family member starts to find day-to-day tasks challenging and their quality of life is deteriorating, you may consider moving them into an assisted living facility or a residential care home. However, this isn’t the only option available these days, and 24-hour care could be a better alternative. This type of care is provided to people in their own homes, preventing elderly individuals from needing to relocate to receive the around-the-clock support they require.
24-hour care is a bespoke service tailored to the client’s needs, with a dedicated team of carers providing person-centred care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These carers can have a positive impact on the lives of not just their clients, but also family members who are currently in caregiver roles. Home care services have become an incredibly popular choice amongst both elderly people and their families, and they’re a brilliant option to consider if you’re worried about an elderly relative who is struggling to live independently.
Below, we have explored how this comprehensive care service can benefit the entire family and why it is a great option to consider.
How 24-Hour Home Care Benefits Clients
Some of the most significant benefits of 24-hour care for elderly people who are starting to struggle with day-to-day tasks include;
- Maintain Independence
This care service allows clients to continue living independently in the comfort of their own homes, rather than uprooting their lives and moving into residential care. It will enable them to stay in familiar surroundings, surrounded by precious memories, and they can maintain their current lifestyle and daily routine. However, they will have professional support available 24/7. They can also continue to do things for themselves, with the support of a carer when needed.
- Safety and Security
When compared to the level of care received in residential homes, 24-hour home care is exemplary. Your elderly family member will receive one-to-one care from highly trained caregivers, ensuring they’re safe and secure in their own homes. Professional teams provide around-the-clock monitoring and support, significantly reducing the risk of falls and other medical concerns. This can help to prevent everyday worries for clients and also keep them happy and healthy at home.
- Improve Quality of Life
This type of home care support provides clients with the 24/7 assistance they need to maintain their quality of life. A small team of dedicated care professionals can help with daily activities such as washing, dressing, meal preparation and light housekeeping. They can also provide companionship, helping to prevent loneliness and isolation. To ensure continuity of care, the same familiar faces will provide the care services your loved one needs, allowing the development of a real relationship.
- Flexible Care
With 24-hour care, clients will receive the care they need, when they need it, and a person-centred care package will be designed for them. A care assessment will be undertaken to establish exactly how much and what type of support your loved one needs both during the day and the night, as well as what their wishes are. After the assessment, a detailed care plan will be created for the team of home carers to follow, which will include all of your elderly family members’ care requirements. Regular follow-ups will be conducted to ensure the care remains suitable and the care package can be adjusted or amended over time as needed.
- Cost-Effective
When compared to residential care options, 24-hour home care is often more cost-effective. This is especially true for individuals who may not qualify for government funding or financial support for care services. Whether clients have care at home on a short-term or long-term basis, it can be more affordable than moving into a residential care home.
How 24-Hour Home Care Benefits Family Members
Not only is 24-hour care beneficial for clients, but it’s also beneficial for family and friends who are currently providing everyday assistance.
- Professional Care
As an elderly loved one’s needs progress over time, it can be difficult for family members to provide the level of care required. Many don’t have the training and expertise that professional carers have, and they’re unable to provide comprehensive support. A team of carers can make such a big difference, and will take some of the pressure off your shoulders. An experienced carer can assist with time-consuming tasks, preventing you from having to juggle caring for your loved one with all of your other responsibilities.
- Peace of Mind
24-hour home care provides family members with peace of mind knowing their loved one is receiving the care and attention they need. This allows them to focus on other important matters in their lives and makes it easier for them to juggle different responsibilities. Using the latest technology, care agencies can keep families updated and provide access to care notes too, enabling them to monitor their loved one’s health and well-being.
- Day-to-Day Assistance
Home care services are designed to alleviate stress for family members, and a team of professional caregivers can assist with a wide range of day-to-day activities. They can handle time-consuming tasks and provide transportation to appointments, so family members won’t have to worry about fitting everything into their schedules.
- Support and Advice
With years of experience, home care agencies can provide emotional support to family members who may be feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for their loved ones. They can also provide resources and guidance to family caregivers, helping them to make informed decisions about the care of their loved one moving forward.
Common Misconceptions About 24-Hour Care
This service is designed to provide around-the-clock, one-to-one care to elderly individuals who are struggling to live independently but would like to remain in their own homes. To help anyone considering 24-hour care for a loved one, we have debunked some of the most common misconceptions about this type of care below.
“24-hour care is unaffordable for most people”
Home care services are often more affordable than people realise, and many don’t know that financial support is available for elderly care too. Simply put, your local authority can conduct a financial assessment to determine whether your loved one is eligible for financial support towards the cost of 24-hour care services.
It’s worth noting that the value of their house won’t be included in the financial assessment when arranging home care services; however, it will be included if you’re arranging residential care. So, they may actually receive more financial support when choosing 24-hour home care.
“Home carers will only assist with personal care”
Whilst a home care assistant will provide personal care services, including washing and dressing, they can actually carry out a full range of other tasks too, depending on an elderly person’s needs. A care plan will be designed specifically for your loved one, including everything from assisting with household tasks to shopping and attending hospital appointments.
Companionship care and day-to-day social support are integral to 24-hour care, and this comprehensive service is designed to help an elderly person live independently while maintaining the highest quality of life. 24-hour home care is also incredibly flexible, allowing your loved one to choose the level of support they want and when they need it.
“In-home care isn’t suitable for people with medical conditions”
Depending on their medical condition, staying in their own home might actually be the best option for an elderly person. A home carer can assist with tasks such as monitoring nutrition and weight, collecting and administering medication, and providing incontinence care. They have the capabilities required to support a diverse range of clients.
24-hour home care is often recommended for people with dementia, for example. Staying in familiar surroundings and maintaining the same routine can be really beneficial for someone with dementia, and in-home care will enable this continuity.
“There is no continuity with home care services”
Typically, 24-hour care services are provided by a small team of dedicated caregivers who adopt a person-centred approach to care, which isn’t commonly found in most residential homes. Continuity of care isn’t something you need to worry about, and your elderly loved one will build a good rapport with the home care assistants they see on a day-to-day basis.
You will also have your own Care Manager, who will conduct regular follow-ups to ensure you’re satisfied with the service being provided. You can even monitor the care your loved one is receiving by reading care notes, reviews and medication charts for peace of mind.
“Home carers aren’t as skilled as nursing home workers”
All care assistants must complete a comprehensive training program before providing care and support in the community. They will have the skills and knowledge necessary to help you and your loved one maintain control of day-to-day life. Of course, they will also be fully DBS checked, so there is no need to worry in this regard.
When your elderly loved one receives 24-hour care, you can rest assured knowing they will have a kind, caring and compassionate person around to provide them with assistance whenever required. Ultimately, a home carer will provide security and complete peace of mind.
Arranging 24 Hour Care in Altrincham
There is no denying that 24-hour home care is a brilliant option to consider if your elderly relative is struggling to live independently in their own home, and it’s no surprise that this type of care is so popular. If you would like to learn more about home care services and the various options available, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at Beloved Homecare today.
We provide 24-hour care in Altrincham and the surrounding areas, and we are happy to assist you if you wish to arrange care for a loved one. We have extensive experience helping elderly, convalescing, and disabled clients maintain the highest quality of life possible. You can rely on us to provide the high-quality care and support your loved one deserves. Our ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating makes us stand out from the crowd, and we can assure you that there is no better agency to turn to for 24-hour care in Altrincham.