Are you looking for around-the-clock care services for your loved one? If so, you’re not alone. Many families in the greater Phoenix area are looking for a way to provide flexible, all-day care for their elderly or disabled loved ones. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the options available to you, how much 24 hour care would cost, and how to hire a 24 hour in-home caregiver.
There are many different options when it comes to 24 hour care. You can use a home care agency, hire a In-home caregiver or find a private caregiver. Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks. In this article, we explore the options available for 24 hour care in Phoenix, AZ so that families and individuals can better determine what course of action is suitable for their needs.
What is 24-Hour Care?
24-hour care is a form of medical and personal support that’s provided to individuals in need of additional assistance. This type of home care emphasizes 24 hour coverage, for up to 7 days a week, and can include everything from basic housekeeping activities to personalized services.
24 hour home care is usually administered by family members or professional caregivers who provide physical assistance with everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing, cleaning, and more. A qualified caregiver will also be able to prepare meals for the individual receiving support, assist with medication management, transportation needs, laundry duties, errands and other light housekeeping activities.
Pros and Cons
24-hour in-home care is becoming increasingly popular for elderly and disabled individuals who need round-the-clock assistance. For those requiring such care, the availability of 24 hour home care comes with both pros and cons that should be carefully weighed before making a decision.
On the plus side, this type of care enables individuals to remain in their own homes at all hours of the day, while receiving help from experienced professionals. This can provide peace of mind for loved ones who can’t always be on hand to assist them, allowing them to maintain their independence in the comfort of familiar surroundings. Additionally, 24 hour home care can often cost significantly less than a stay in a nursing facility or hospital setting for the same set of hours. For aging loved ones with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other chronic conditions, 24 hour care is almost necessary to ensure their safety at all times.
It must be noted that around-the-clock homecare requires considerable commitment from family members, as well as caregivers. Families that hire a 24/7 caregiver must be ready to welcome them into their home… 24/7. Because of this, care agencies including our own here at Total Care Connections make sure to take the time to match caregivers with families, ensuring compatibility in care and preferences.
Cost Considerations
When it comes to 24 hour care, there are many cost considerations that must be taken into account. In order to understand the full financial implications of providing around-the-clock support, it is important to consider both direct and indirect costs associated with such arrangements.
Direct costs include wages paid to a caregiver, while indirect costs may include travel expenses related to the job and any other out of pocket expenditures that may arise depending on the service you require. The good news is, most of these costs are fixed, and are things your aging loved one would have needed anyways, regardless of who was administering the care… such as purchasing groceries, paying for medicine and other medical expenses like out-of-pocket doctor visits.
Home care services are not covered by Medicare. This is a common misunderstanding. But, there are a number of ways our clients pay for their care. This includes private pay, long-term care insurance, Medicaid, and Veterans Administration benefits. Total Care Connections is contracted with the VA and Medicaid so if your loved one qualifies for either one, we can discuss how our home care services may be covered under these benefits!
Hourly costs may also vary. The first step in determining the hourly cost for care is to schedule a free in-home assessment. During this assessment, our care manager will put together a care plan based upon your loved one’s needs. From there, we can provide an accurate quote.
In the end, investing in your loved ones safety and happiness is something we would all consider priceless. Families that choose our home care services always feel as though they made the best decision.
In-Home vs. Facility Based Care
Are you trying to decide between in-home or facility-based care for a loved one? In-home care offers the comfort of staying at home, while facility care may provide more comprehensive services, outside of the home. There are pros and cons to both options, and it’s important to understand what each option entails before making a decision.
In-home care is ideal for those who want their loved one to stay in the comfort of their own home but still need assistance with activities of daily living such as meal preparation, personal hygiene and medication management. This type of care is available 24 hours per day or on an hourly basis. It can be customized according to your needs, so you only pay for the services that are necessary, without the excessive overhead costs that staying at a facility may entail.
Why choose a home care agency?
Home care agencies simplify the process and provide peace of mind that your loved one will be cared for around the clock. Home care agencies are staffed with dozens of trained, licensed and insured caregivers 24/7, so the process of finding a qualified caregiver is legitimized and made simple. If a caregiver were to ever need relief for when an emergency happens, feel reassured that arrangements will be made with haste to still deliver the care you need, whenever you need it.
On top of having caregivers ready to help, home care agencies put in the extra time and effort to train and certify their caregivers so that they are qualified to care for your loved one. Not all agencies train their caregivers the same, so this is something to emphasize in your research.
Here at Total Care Connections, our caregivers all go through a thorough background check, as well as orientation and training program at the time of hire. In Arizona, our caregivers are certified with a “Direct Care Worker” certification overseen by the state AHCCCS program. In Colorado, our caregivers meet the state requirements for experience and must pass a hands-on care assessment before coming onto the team, and in addition are licensed and bonded. We are one of the few agencies to conduct continuous monthly background checks, as well.
24 Hour Care Services
A caregiver can assist with the following during their 24 hour care shift:
- Personal Care such as bathing, toileting, grooming, and hygiene assistance
- Ambulation assistance
- Assistance with Walking and Transferring
- Fall Prevention Interventions
- Scheduling and Maintaining a Calendar
- Paying & Mailing Bills
- Assistance with Personal Care
- Companionship and Friendship
- Healthy Meal Planning and Preparation
- Housekeeping Chores
- Laundry & Ironing
- Scheduling Appointments
- Medication Reminders
- Transportation to Appointments, Errands, and Social Outings
- Playing Cards and Games
- Arts and Craft Activities
- End of Life Care
- Veteran Care
- Catastrophic Injury Care
- Neurorehabilitation Care
- Private Nursing Care
Choosing the Right 24 Hour Care Agency
24 hour home care is a great option for those who want to stay in their own homes and receive quality care around the clock.
When choosing 24 hour home care, there are several factors to consider that we have already discussed. Furthermore, you’ll want to make sure that your provider is qualified and experienced in caring for adults and the elderly, especially with a wide range of special needs or conditions. What range of services do they offer, and are the services you require included in their experience?
Secondly, what are the company’s hiring and training processes? As we have already mentioned, we have a thorough screening, selection and training process followed up by a monthly background check for all of our employees. We are actually one of the few care companies that conduct monthly checks in Arizona.
You should also look into the company’s reputation and reviews from previous clients. This can be found on their website, or their Google page.
Finally, depending on your budget and insurance coverage options, see how you can work with the company to afford care. Here at Total Care Connections, we provide several ways to finance care for your loved one. To learn more, make sure to give us a call!
Is 24 hour home care the best option?
24 hour home care is an excellent option for those looking to receive around the clock assistance in their own home while maintaining independence and comfort. It is not only cost-effective but can provide peace of mind knowing your loved one is well taken care of. It also ensures that family members are able to balance work and family commitments without sacrificing quality care. With 24 hour home care, you can have the best of both worlds: great care with a sense of security and independence.
Contact Us for Your Home Care Needs in Phoenix, AZ
If you have any questions about 24 hour care, or aging in place, we have the answers. Here at Total Care Connections, we put your family first. We’ve been proudly serving the greater Phoenix, Tempe, and Maricopa County Areas for over 14 years, and have become the leading provider of in-home care services in Arizona.
We believe that with the right help, seniors can age safely and happily in the comfort of their own home.
Questions? We’re here to help. Please contact our care staff anytime at info@totalcareconnections.com, or by phone at (480-387-1927).
