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How Does 24-Hour Home Care Work?
Date Updated: December 9, 2024
Written by:
Sarah has produced thousands of articles in diverse niches over her decade-long career as a full-time freelance writer. This includes substantial content in the fields of senior care and health care. She has experience writing about wide-ranging topics, such as types of care, care costs, funding options, state Medicaid programs and senior resources.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a health care professional, researcher, and an experienced medical writer (2000+ articles published online and several medical ebooks). She received her MD degree from “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine, Romania, and her HD diploma from OCHM – Toronto, Canada.
Generally, 24-hour home care works by several caregivers rotating around the clock to assist seniors in their private residences. Unlike live-in caregivers who need to sleep, 24-hour in-home care aides always remain awake. That said, older adults who need long-term 24/7 support typically find other care types more practical and affordable.
Overview of 24-Hour Care Services
Agencies appoint two or three home care aides to work 12- or 8-hour shifts. Usually, the same caregivers work in rotation, supporting seniors at all times. Common daytime duties include housekeeping tasks such as housework and laundry, transportation, meal preparation and grocery shopping. Aides also provide companionship for homebound seniors at risk of loneliness or isolation.
Home care assistants help seniors at all hours with daily living tasks, such as using the toilet, bathing and changing their clothes. In the evening, aides assist with transferring to the bed and ensuring the home is secure.
Specific nighttime duties include:
- Assisting with bathroom visits
- Changing incontinence pads
- Ensuring adherence to medication routines
- Providing reassurance
Alternatives to 24-Hour Home Care
According to Genworth Financial, the median cost of home care in 2024 runs about $30 per hour across the United States. This cost translates to a daily rate of around $720 and a monthly fee of about $21,600. Public funding rarely covers around-the-clock nonmedical home care services. However, Medicaid and VA benefits may pay for 24-hour home health care, which includes skilled nursing and therapies when deemed medically necessary by a physician. Therefore, this offers a more affordable option.
Most assisted living communities feature 24/7 staffing, making this a more economical and suitable solution for many seniors who need ongoing, around-the-clock attention. Likewise, specialized memory care facilities safeguard seniors who have dementia. Older adults who need clinical services and 24-hour medical monitoring often find nursing home care more appropriate. In addition to lower fees than for 24/7 home care, many seniors qualify for financial aid for nursing home care.