Benefits of Live-In Caregivers

Posted by Steve Jones

Tue, Nov 26, 2013

There are many different types of professional home caregivers. Personal support workers provide assistance in mobility, personal care, health and diet, and companionship. Registered nurses often provide home health care, monitoring senior’s health, medications, and medical-related care. Live-in home care is 24-hour support available for a variety of needs.

Who Needs Live-in Home Care?

Reasons for needing a live-in caregiver vary widely. Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia may need live-in care to help with “sundowning” or becoming agitated in the evenings, and to prevent wandering at night. Someone with a broken bone or healing from a severe illness could also need live-in care.

Families with an elder who lives alone might want a live-in caregiver to provide extra companionship and help around the house, such as household chores, shopping, and meal planning.

After a major operation or long stay at the hospital, it may be important to have help transitioning safely and comfortably back home. Personal support workers can help with personal hygiene, cooking, cleaning, and mobility.

Live-in caregiving is also a good option if the primary caregiver will be out of town for a while. Live-in caregivers can give primary (family) caregivers a break from the pressures of caregiving and allow them to relax and rejuvinate their mental and physical health.

Put the Family at Ease

These days, many families are spread all over the country. It can be difficult to adult children and other family members to visit and care for their aging loved ones when they live a long ways away. Live-in caregivers communicate and update family members frequently on the health and happiness of their loved ones, putting them at ease.

Two of the most common reasons for moving a family member into a nursing home or assisted living is because of concerns around falling and taking medication. Live-in home caregivers can help prevent falls by making the home safer to live in and to provide help immediately when your lvoed one needs it. They can also be aware of medication times and make sure your loved one is getting the medication they need, when they need it.

Autonomy to the Great Extent Possible

The biggest reason for staying is your own home is the autonomy and independence you have of doing what you want, when you want to. Live-in caregivers allow seniors to continue living independently, because they are not babysitters; they are there to help when help is needed, and to provide companionship when a little extra social interaction is crucial.

Live-in caregivers are a great way to continue living the life your loved one wants and to ensure they are safe, comfortable, and happy. They also take the stress of of family caregivers to be constantly checking in on or caring for an aging family member. To learn more about how live-in caregiving can help your family, request a free, comprehensive in-home assessment by clicking below.