In 2018, the US was home to about 52 million Americans aged 65 years and older. By 2060, experts forecast this statistic to increase by nearly 50%. Those over 65 years old will go from representing 16% of the US population to 23%, which will present a greater need for full-time elderly care at home.
After all, aging comes with a higher risk of health concerns. However, full-time care can significantly minimize these risks.
Full-time care can come in a few different forms; the most common are live-in caregivers and in-home 24-hour caregiver teams. Let’s discuss some frequently asked questions and key differences between the two.
FAQs About In-home vs. Live-in Care
Professional caregivers assist older adults with various tasks as they become increasingly difficult to do alone. Most of all, caregivers help your elderly loved ones retain their independence by enabling them to age at home.
However, the level and frequency of care that specific caregivers provide may vary. For instance, you may be thinking, “‘live-in care,’ meaning what exactly compared to ‘in-home care’?”
Let’s work through some of the questions surrounding different kinds of caregiver support.
What is Live-in Home Care?
Live-in home care is when a qualified caregiver stays at the home of an elderly individual day and night. In this case, the caregiver is provided a bed to sleep on and an 8-hour sleeping break. However, a caregiver’s sleep may be disrupted if your loved one requires care during the night.
What Does a Live-in Caregiver Do?
A live-in caregiver assists older adults with activities of daily living (ADL), such as dressing, meal preparation, transportation, and even medication reminders.
What Does an In-home Caregiver Do?
In-home caregivers provide the same “in house” elderly care as live-in caregivers without physically living at the older adult’s home. Instead of living with an older adult, like a live-in caregiver, in-home caregivers come and go in shifts.
Full-time Elderly Care at Home
Home care companies like Stowell Associates can provide full-time elderly care at home by putting caregivers on 8-hour shifts. If your loved one requires 24/7 care, providing a rotation of caregivers throughout the day and night ensures they will always have the help they need.
Please note: Not all home care providers offer 24 hour live in care or overnight caregivers. Ask about the level of care you think your loved one needs, and let a care manager develop a personal care plan.
Who Can Be an Elderly Care Provider?
An individual must meet state requirements before they can become a caregiver in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin heavily regulates residential and community-based care. Most care providers need licensure, certification, or registration before providing elder care. Either way, caregivers that work at home health care companies undergo thorough background checks.
Families can rest assured knowing that their loved ones will receive the highest level of care, especially when they partner with a premium home care agency.
Why Choose In-home Elderly Care?
Does your loved one want to stay at home for as long as possible? They’re not alone; almost nine in ten people over the age of 65 want to age in place.
In this case, the last thing your beloved family member wants is to leave the comfort of home. With the help of highly-qualified caregivers, you won’t need to move your aging family member into a 24 hour assisted living home.
Taking proactive steps to ensure your loved one stays safe at home can provide peace of mind and save money in the long run. Here are three benefits of choosing in-home caregiving.
Reduce Fall Risks and At-home Accidents
Health changes and complications can put your elderly loved one at risk of home accidents. Tragically, one out of four older adults suffer from a fall every year, and more than 800,000 of those who fall end up in the hospital. Medical costs associated with falls exceeded $50 billion in 2015 alone.
Without in-home help, accidents can have lasting impacts on an otherwise healthy, independent older adult.
Full-time elderly care at home can help lower the risks of older adults having an accident. Caregivers will be at your loved one’s home to provide around-the-clock assistance. In the event something does happen, care providers can call for immediate medical help.
Retain a Sense of Independence
A sense of independence is something we strive for throughout all stages of our lives. Independence is an incredibly important part of a senior’s sense of self-worth and overall happiness. However, maintaining an independent lifestyle relies heavily on one’s health.
Ideally, people want to look after themselves as they age, but that’s not always best for the elderly. Aging often comes with health concerns, such as physical and cognitive decline.
A caregiver can provide live in personal care to support older adults with the daily difficulties associated with aging without putting stress on family relationships. Caregivers can also minimize the dangers of living at home alone. With lower risks of accidents, your elderly family member can maintain more independence, and you can have peace of mind.
Improved Quality of Life with Care and Companionship
6.5 million older adults in the US suffer from depression. The elderly who live alone are at an even higher risk of depression. With too little contact with others, older adults are prone to severe bouts of loneliness.
Whether your loved one needs full-time elderly care at home or general help with daily activities, caregivers can provide them with necessary care and companionship.
Among the distinctive traits of in-home caregivers, warmth and compassion are of primary importance. Great caregivers are kind, understanding, and patient. As such, at-home caregivers can provide physical and emotional support to your loved one throughout those hard days.
Premium In-home Care to Safely Age in Place
Now that you have a better understanding of in-home caregivers, live-in caregivers, and home care benefits, consider home care services for your loved one.
You don’t have to make the painful decision to move your loved one into an unfamiliar place. Thanks to in-home elderly care, your loved one can live at home safely. If you or your older family member wants to age in place, in-home care is one of the best options.
Ready to learn more about in-home senior care in Milwaukee, Racine, Waukesha, or Kenosha, WI? Get in touch with us at Stowell Associates! We’re happy to answer your questions about 24 hour in home care services for the seniors in your life.
