When your elderly loved one is unable to live safely, there are a variety of options to choose from, including hourly and live-in home care. However, there are some differences between these two options. Both have their advantages, and you need to decide which is best for your loved one’s current situation. Here are some of the differences between hourly and live-in home care for seniors.
Caregiving Schedule
With live-in home care, your loved one will receive constant assistance. This is a great option if he or she needs extra care or help with specific needs. The caregiver will typically stay in the home throughout the day and night, providing around-the-clock assistance. However, there are generally two caregivers who take on 12-hour shifts (sometimes 8-hour shifts split between three caregivers). For seniors who only need occasional assistance at home, hourly care is the best option. The caregiver will spend a few hours in the home to help, on an as-needed basis. Most hourly caregivers work a few hours per day and only a few days each week. Hourly and live-in care experts can help your loved one maintain a sense of independence and age in the comfort of home. If your senior loved one needs professional in-home care in Des Moines,Home Care Assistance is here to help. We are a trusted provider of respite and 24-hour care, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care for seniors.
Impact on Independence
Allowing seniors to maintain their independence can enhance their quality of life. With live-in care, there are some degrees of independence involved, but this will likely decrease because the caregiver is around to provide assistance at all times. With hourly care, there is a greater degree of independence because the caregiver will not be in the home for the entire day or night. If your loved one can still do most activities on his or her own, encourage independence with hourly care as long as his or her safety is not in danger. Whether your elderly loved one needs part-time assistance with basic household chores or you need a break from your caregiving duties, the Des Moines respite care experts at Home Care Assistance are here to help. All of our respite care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.
Charges
With hourly care, you will be billed at an hourly rate. Live-in care recipients are typically billed at a flat rate. If your loved one doesn’t need around-the-clock assistance, hourly care is the most affordable option. You will not need to pay for a caregiver to be present unless the services are needed. Live-in care is more expensive compared to hourly care because of the time involved. The caregivers will be in the home 24 hours a day, so you are being billed for the constant care.
Specialized Care Options
Most hourly caregivers are there to help with simple household chores, run a few errands, or provide companionship to seniors. Although aging adults need assistance, they are not always in need of live-in care. Seniors living with a chronic illness or age-related condition may require specialized care. For example, if your loved one is in the later stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia, he or she may need someone to be in the home around the clock to prevent serious accidents or injuries. If your senior loved one needs hourly or live-in care, Des Moines Home Care Assistance can help. Our caregivers can assist with exercise and mobility, prepare nutritious meals, provide timely medication reminders, and help with a wide array of other important daily tasks. To learn about our high-quality elderly home care plans, give us a call at (515) 264-2438 today.
