How Much Does 24/7 In-Home Care Cost?
September 18, 2023 / Home Care
As your loved ones age and begin to require a higher level of care, there are many things you may consider. Assisted living facilities are great options for some, but others will feel much more comfortable staying in their own home or the home of a loved one. Living independently can provide a level of comfort for seniors, but it cannot provide the safety and assistance that many begin to need as they age. In this case, home care can be an excellent option to provide comfort for a senior while also giving them supervision and assistance with the activities of daily life. The team at Senior Care AZ, a senior placement agency in Arizona, is breaking down the costs of home care: how much 24/7 home care will cost, the differences between live-in care and home care and alternatives to this level of care.
How Much Does 24-Hour Care in the Home Cost?
The national median cost of hiring a live-in caregiver is $10,500, which is around $350 per day for care. There are a number of different types of caregivers you can hire, whether a caregiver is a private caregiver or contracted through a home health agency, and the type of caregiver you hire will affect the price. The location where the caregiver is working will also affect the price of care.
Live-in Care vs. 24/7 Home Care
While 24/7 home care and live-in care sound like the same service, there are some key differences that are worth noting when considering the type of care you are looking for. Live-in care is generally provided by one caregiver, who lives in the home and is provided a bed to sleep in and an 8-hour time period to do so. While they are in the home around the clock and are available to provide services if needed, they will generally not be working a full 24-hour period. 24/7 home care is usually staffed by an agency and consists of two caregivers, each working two 12-hour shifts. Care will be available 24 hours a day, and the caregivers will not sleep in the home. They will provide round-the-clock supervision and care.
Pros and Cons of Live-in Care
A live-in caregiver will be in the house and your loved one will not be alone, but they will not be able to provide round-the-clock care.
Pros of Live-in Care
Some of the positive aspects of hiring a live-in caregiver include:
- Building a Relationship: Having one caregiver in the home provides your loved one with the time to become comfortable with their caregiver and develop a relationship, instead of having different caregivers throughout the week.
- Personal Investment: While your loved one will be able to develop a relationship with their caregiver, the same goes for the caregiver. Your loved-one’s caregiver may feel personally invested in their care since they are spending time with them and living in the home.
- Assistance: While a caregiver will have 8 hours to sleep each night, since they are in the house, it will be possible for them to provide assistance at night in an emergency.
- Affordability: Live-in care is generally much more cost effective than 24/7 home care.
Cons of Live-in Care
While live-in care can be an excellent option for some, there are considerations and negative aspects to having only one caregiver, including:
- Lapses in Care: When only one caregiver is available, there will inevitably be lapses in care when they take time to use the restroom, eat meals, and sleep.
- Replacements: If your caregiver becomes sick or requests time off, it may be difficult to find adequate replacement care on short notice.
Pros and Cons of 24/7 Home Care
24/7 home care provides your loved ones with round-the-clock supervision and care, allowing them to be constantly cared for, which provides peace of mind for family members.
Pros of 24/7 Home Care
Some of the positive aspects of having someone always supervise and care for your loved ones in their home include:
- Ambulation: Caregivers who are working 24/7 can provide ambulation for seniors who are unable to move on their own, even during the night, to prevent bed sores and other issues due to lack of mobility.
- Monitoring: 24/7 monitoring and supervision allow caregivers to pay attention to small details, such as bowel movements and urine outtake, which helps ensure that a problem will be recognized as soon as possible.
- Multiple Options: 24/7 care agencies will be able to provide other options should one caregiver be sick or unavailable.
Cons of 24/7 Home Care
Some downsides of 24/7 home care include:
- Multiple Caregivers: Your loved one may see 2 or 3 caregivers in a given day, which gives less time to develop a personal relationship or become comfortable around their caregiver.
- Cost: Since the hours worked are higher than live-in care, the costs are generally higher.
How to Pay For 24/7 In-Home Care
Home health care is expensive, but depending on your financial situation, there may be a number of different ways you can cover the costs.
Does Medicare Pay For 24/7 Home Care?
Medicare will pay for some levels of skilled nursing and medical care in the home, but it will not cover the costs of non medical care provided by a professional caregiver.
Does Medicaid Pay For 24/7 Home Care?
Medicaid may cover some costs of 24/7 home care, but the eligibility requirements vary from state to state. Check with your state’s local office to determine if you are eligible for Medicaid benefits when it comes to home care.
Does the VA Pay For 24/7 Home Care?
If your loved one receives benefits and health care through the Office of Veterans Affairs, or VA, they may be eligible to receive coverage for home care. Speak with their local VA office to determine their eligibility based on their plan.
Alternatives to 24-Hour In-Home Care
If home care doesn’t seem like the right option for your loved one but you need a long-term care solution, there are many other options worth considering.
Assisted Living Facilities
Assisted living facilities are generally a great transition for seniors who still have some level of independence but need some assistance with the activities of daily life and custodial care. They do not provide skilled nursing care or 24/7 supervision, but they can be a great option for seniors who have lived independently for many years.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes provide skilled nursing and 24/7 supervision to seniors who require advanced care due to serious health conditions or chronic ailments.
Memory Care
Memory care is similar to a nursing home or assisted living facility in that it provides custodial care and supervision to seniors, but memory care is designed to provide extra assistance and supervision to individuals who are experiencing memory loss due to dementia or other issues.