Live-in Care vs 24-Hour Care

Added on July 11, 2014 by Jared_Rodgers

Life Force Caregivers for the Elderly provides live-in personal senior care. At times families have confused live-in care with 24-hour care. Although there are similarities, there are major differences that should be identified.

Live-in elder care provides ONE home health aide who lives at the home of the client for several days or several weeks at a time. With 24-hour care, there are multiple shifts throughout the day. The most common shifts are either three 8 hour shifts or two 12 hour shifts.

Another difference revolves around the routines of eating and sleeping.  With live-in care the bond between client and caregiver results in a family type setting for meal time as well as a pleasant bed time routine.  While the caregiver prepares the meal choices of the client, the host family provides favorite foods of the caregiver. These are enjoyed together on a daily basis.

Perhaps the most significant difference between 24-hour care and live-in care is the cost of services. An average live-in flat daily rate may cost approximately $200 a day, while with 24-hour care, the average cost is approximately $20 an hour totaling $480 a day - more than a 50% increase. This can quickly become financially draining.

A single aide servicing a client's needs creates a calm environment and lifestyle. Live-in care is especially beneficial for clients diagnosed with dementia and who thrive on a familiar environment. With a clear understanding of the differences between live-in care and 24-hour care families can set realistic expectations and appreciate the satisfaction of receiving quality, stable live-in care.

 

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