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Elderly care can be difficult to provide for your aging loved ones, especially when you work, live far away, and/or have children that require care and attention. As their needs and demands increase, you can’t always offer the 24/7 care they require at home. You may try to schedule regular visits from caregivers and family members to attend to their needs. However, a decline in physical and/or cognitive functions or a change in a situation where one parent now lives alone may prompt you to consider round-the-clock care.
Moving your elderly parent to an assisted living facility or a retirement home is not your only option.
Live-in and 24-hour home care can ensure a caregiver is available to address any personal needs – and provide senior companion care - day and night in their own home. Companionship is known to improve senior’s moods and stave off loneliness and isolation that can lead to depression. According to WebMD, one in three older adults lack companionship, with many feeling isolated.
Most seniors want to continue living in their own homes for as long as possible. An AARP study reports that almost 90% of seniors want to stay in their own homes as they get older and 82% prefer to stay put when receiving daily assistance. Live-in or 24-hour elderly care can satisfy these preferences while providing you with the comfort of knowing that they are safe in the place where they want to live.
While live-in and 24-hour caregivers may seem redundant, terms of elderly care are different for each. Understanding the difference will help determine the best choice for a senior’s specific circumstance.
LIVE-IN CARE
Live-in caregivers stay in the home day and night to perform duties outlined on the care plan. One caregiver could work during the week and another on the weekends. Live-in caregivers are provided an 8-hour break and sleeping bed to rest.
24-HOUR HOME CARE
Two or more caregivers rotate shifts to ensure someone is always awake and available day and night to help the client when needed at any time.
Live-In Care for the elderly is appropriate when your loved one:
24-Hour Care is appropriate when your elderly loved one:
Live-in or 24-hour care can serve as a temporary solution to seniors just recovering from surgery or returning from rehab. It also can allow you or other family members to take a much-need break or go on vacation with the peace of mind that your aging loved one is safe and secure in the comfort of their own home.
While live-in and 24-hour in-home care is paid by the client, Medicaid can provide assistance in some situations depending on financial and physical needs as well as state residence. Medicare Waiver Programs provides support to the elderly with special needs. Veterans long-term care and other long-term care insurances may assist with payments.
Home care provides essential elder assistance on an hourly, overnight, 24-hour and respite care basis. Care plans include a variety of services that attend to personal care, hygiene, housekeeping, personal hygiene, meal preparation, transportation, medication reminders and more. Visiting Angels even offers certified palliative care programs, dementia care and Alzheimer’s care.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20190304/survey-1-in-3-adults-feel-lonely
https://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/ppi/liv-com/ib190.pdf
https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/medicaid-waivers/home-care.html
http://medicaidwaiver.org/state/delaware.html
https://www.visitingangels.com/fortmyers/articles/visiting-angels-assisted-living-services-for-elderly/295
The Importance of Meal Preparation for SeniorsEating well is essential for seniors to stay healthy, maintain strength, and manage chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. However, aging often brings challenges that interfere with regular eating habits: Limited mobility or arthritis can make it difficult to stand, chop, or lift cookware. Cognitive decline may cause a person to forget meals or how to safely use kitchen appliances. Loss of appetite or interest in cooking, especially when living alone. Dietary restrictions that require careful meal planning. With a little help, many seniors can continue enjoying nutritious meals that support their health and well-being. How Non-Medical Home Care Companies Help with Meal Prep1. Meal Planning and Grocery AssistanceCaregivers can help plan meals that are both nutritious and tailored to individual preferences and dietary needs. Whether following a doctors recommendations or simply planning favorite family recipes, caregivers help seniors feel involved and in control. They can also assist with creating shopping lists and even accompany the senior to the store or coordinate grocery delivery.2. Safe Meal PreparationFrom chopping vegetables to using the stove, many kitchen tasks can pose risks for older adults. Caregivers take care of the preparationwashing, slicing, cooking, and plating mealsensuring everything is handled safely and hygienically.3. Accommodating Special DietsWhether a senior needs a low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, soft, or heart-healthy diet, caregivers can prepare meals that follow those guidelines. This attention to detail helps seniors stay healthy while still enjoying their food.4. Encouraging Regular Eating HabitsSkipping meals or snacking instead of eating real meals is common among seniors. Caregivers gently remind and encourage clients to eat at regular times, promoting better nutrition and preventing unintended weight loss or blood sugar fluctuations.5. Companionship During MealsMealtimes can be lonely for seniors who live alone, often leading to a loss of appetite. Caregivers can provide companionship at the table, turning meals into a more social and enjoyable experience.6. Light CleanupAfter the meal, caregivers help with light kitchen cleanupwashing dishes, wiping counters, and putting leftovers away. This ensures a clean and safe space, and takes a burden off the seniors shoulders. Supporting Independence and DignityNon-medical home care companies empower seniors to remain in their homes while receiving the help they need to stay nourished and healthy. Care is always respectful and centered around the individualensuring that seniors continue to feel independent, heard, and valued.
What Is End-of-Life Care?End-of-life care focuses on enhancing comfort and quality of life during the final stages of a terminal illness or advanced aging. While hospice care handles the medical aspectssuch as pain management and symptom controlnon-medical home care provides essential daily support that allows individuals to remain in a familiar and loving environment, surrounded by those who matter most. How Non-Medical Home Care Companies Can Help1. Providing Comfort and Daily AssistanceAt the end of life, everyday tasks often become too difficult to manage alone. Caregivers offer gentle assistance with personal hygiene, toileting, dressing, repositioning, and feedingensuring the person remains clean, comfortable, and dignified.2. Companionship and Emotional SupportCaregivers provide more than physical helpthey offer a calm, reassuring presence. Whether sitting quietly by the bedside, reading aloud, or simply holding a hand, caregivers create meaningful moments of connection and ease emotional distress for both the individual and their family.3. Supporting the FamilyEnd-of-life situations are emotionally and physically exhausting for family caregivers. Non-medical home care companies step in to provide respitegiving family members time to rest, recharge, or tend to their own well-being, knowing their loved one is in compassionate hands.4. Creating a Peaceful EnvironmentCaregivers help maintain a soothing, calm atmosphere at home. This may involve keeping the room clean, adjusting lighting, playing soft music, or offering warm blanketsall small gestures that enhance comfort during the final days or weeks of life.5. Assisting with Meal Preparation and FeedingWhen eating is still possible, caregivers prepare soft, nutritious meals or comfort foods tailored to the persons preferences. For those who can no longer eat, caregivers provide mouth care and hydration support to reduce discomfort.6. Maintaining Dignity and RespectAbove all, non-medical caregivers treat each client with unwavering dignity and respect. They recognize the importance of personal values, cultural traditions, and spiritual beliefs, ensuring care aligns with what matters most to the individual and their family. Partnering with Hospice and Healthcare Providers Non-medical home care companies often work in tandem with hospice teams, nurses, and social workers. Together, they create a comprehensive circle of care. While hospice addresses medical needs, caregivers focus on practical and emotional supportmaking the home a safe, nurturing place to say goodbye.
Why Medication Management MattersMedication adherence is critical to maintaining health, especially for seniors managing chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease. Yet, studies show that nearly 50% of older adults do not take their medications as prescribed. This can lead to worsening symptoms, preventable hospitalizations, and even life-threatening situations.While non-medical home care providers are not licensed to administer medications, they are trained to offer essential support that helps seniors remember to take their medications correctly and consistently. How Non-Medical Home Care Companies Help1. Daily Medication RemindersCaregivers provide gentle, consistent reminders to take medications at the right times. Whether its a pill in the morning, insulin at lunch, or an evening dose before bed, these reminders ensure that nothing is forgotten.2. Creating and Maintaining a RoutineConsistency is key. Home care professionals help seniors establish and maintain a daily medication routine, which can be especially beneficial for those with memory loss or cognitive decline. A dependable routine reduces confusion and improves overall adherence.3. Monitoring for Changes or ConcernsWhile caregivers cannot evaluate or prescribe medications, they are trained to notice potential issuessuch as skipped doses, adverse reactions, or confusion about medicationsand report them to the family or healthcare provider promptly.4. Organizing Pill Boxes or RemindersCaregivers can assist in organizing weekly pillboxes (as filled by the client or a family member) or setting up electronic medication reminders. These tools are great visual and auditory aids that promote independence while keeping safety in mind.5. Coordinating with Family and Health ProvidersHome care companies often work as part of a larger care team. They help bridge communication between the senior, family members, and healthcare providers, sharing observations or concerns that may impact the medication regimen.6. Providing Transportation to the PharmacySome caregivers can also provide transportation or arrange delivery services to ensure prescriptions are filled and refilled on time, eliminating one more barrier to proper medication use.
Visiting Angels Fort Myers is a trusted provider of in-home care for seniors in southern Lee County, offering a comforting alternative to assisted living facilities. As a licensed Home Health Agency and registered Homemaker Companion Service in Florida, we specialize in helping seniors maintain their independence at home. Our Approach to Elderly Care Our mission is to help seniors age in place comfortably and securely. We customize care plans to each client's unique needs, ensuring they live life on their terms. Our caregivers assist with daily activities, health management, and social engagement, including: Personal care: dressing, bathing, grooming. Mobility support and fall prevention. Medication reminders and medical appointments. Light housekeeping and meal preparation. Companionship and transportation for social outings. Why Choose Us? We carefully select caregivers who share our commitment to dignity and respect for the elderly. Each caregiver undergoes a thorough vetting process, including background checks and reference verifications. Families can meet caregivers beforehand to ensure a perfect match, providing peace of mind. Serving Naples and Beyond We are proud to serve not just Fort Myers but also Estero, Bonita Springs, Marco Island and nearby communities. Visiting Angels Fort Myers is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of our clients by providing reliable, compassionate, and personalized care right in the comfort of their own homes.
Visiting Angels has been a trusted provider of elder care services in the United States since 1998, committed to offering families the best in-home care for seniors. Operating in Northern Lee County, FL, and Southern Charlotte County Florida Visiting Angels Punta Gorda and Cape Coral serves the Cape Coral, Punta Gorda, North Fort Myers, and Sanibel Captiva areas, providing personalized non-medical in-home care services. Our experienced and passionate caregivers, known as Angels, assist with meal preparation, personal care, laundry, transportation, light housekeeping, and errands, tailored to each individual's needs.What sets Visiting Angels apart is our thorough assessment process. Every client is assessed by an experienced Registered Nurse before services begin, allowing us to identify underlying health and personal issues. This assessment guides the caregiver's care plan and is followed by ongoing assessments. We also make referrals to medical professionals if needed, enhancing our clients' lives and well-being.We prioritize the safety and security of our clients, partnering with ClearStar for comprehensive background screenings on all caregivers. This ensures that only the most trustworthy individuals are invited into our clients' homes.If your loved one needs assistance with daily tasks or requires short-term care following hospitalization or surgery, contact us for a complimentary personal assessment conducted by a Registered Nurse. Visiting Angels is here to provide compassionate and professional care for your loved ones.
Visiting Angels has been a trusted provider of elder care services in the United States since 1998, committed to offering families the best in-home care for seniors. Operating in Northern Lee County, FL, and Southern Charlotte County Florida. Visiting Angels Punta Gorda and Cape Coral serves the Cape Coral, Punta Gorda, North Fort Myers, and Sanibel Captiva areas, providing personalized non-medical in-home care services. Our experienced and passionate caregivers, known as Angels, assist with meal preparation, personal care, laundry, transportation, light housekeeping, and errands, tailored to each individual's needs.What sets Visiting Angels apart is our thorough assessment process. Every client is assessed by an experienced Registered Nurse before services begin, allowing us to identify underlying health and personal issues. This assessment guides the caregiver's care plan and is followed by ongoing assessments. We also make referrals to medical professionals if needed, enhancing our clients' lives and well-being.We prioritize the safety and security of our clients, partnering with ClearStar for comprehensive background screenings on all caregivers. This ensures that only the most trustworthy individuals are invited into our clients' homes.If your loved one needs assistance with daily tasks or requires short-term care following hospitalization or surgery, contact us for a complimentary personal assessment conducted by a Registered Nurse. Visiting Angels is here to provide compassionate and professional care for your loved ones.