24 Hour In Home Care
Around the clock care is increasing in popularity during this global pandemic as a way to keep people safe at home. Social isolation within the senior community has been a known health risk since prior to COVID-19 and has become worse since the outbreak of coronavirus.
One way to alleviate social isolation is to provide 24 hour care. In certain circumstances, family caregivers may be able to provide assistance for a short period of time, but studies have found that family caregivers are at greater risk of depression, injury, care/life imbalance and other health problems such as high blood pressure (HCAOA and Global Coalition on Aging “The Value of Home Care”). It is best if time with family can be spent only as family can spend that time (recalling memories, telling stories about family members, looking through photo albums, catching up) and not with chores that a professional is better suited to handle (food preparation, bathing, vacuuming…etc.).
At some point a decision will need to be made regarding how much time is appropriate to hire a professionally trained and certified caregiver. Two of the most common scenarios for 24 hour care are post-acute recovery and hospice.
Most surgeries for the elderly such as hip replacements are covered by Medicaid and include a certain amount of time for recovery within a Skilled Nursing Facility (commonly referred to as a “SNiF” and formerly referred to as a “Nursing Home”). Near the end of the recovery period within a SNF, a Discharge Planner or Case Manager will contact you regarding your plans for continued recovery at home. Depending on the severity of the original injury and the progress of healing, they may make strong recommendations to have 24 hour care arranged at least for the first few days while the family is able to stabilize and assess future needs. The reason for this is that 24 hour care takes planning to provide and if you don’t arrange it in advance you may have to pay a premium or wait for a day or two to free up a Caregiver’s schedule. Once you’ve been able to assess your needs you may choose to reduce the hours of care to just 12 hours during the day or overnight depending on when is the greatest need. It is recommended that you continue reducing to 8 hours then 4 hours per day until you feel confident that you are able to care for your loved one on your own.
The other most common scenario for 24 hour care is at the final stages of life.
There is generally a spike in care needs as someone is dying and these are not tasks for untrained family members nor are they tasks for the faint of heart. This period of a loved one’s life is sacred and should be spent together with family sharing memories and comforting each other and not on Acts of Daily Living (ADLs) such as toileting, dressing and bathing. It is common to have 24 hour care for the final weeks or months of life and if you’ve signed up for hospice (highly recommended), they will be able to council you on the appropriate level of care and an approximate timeline.
Regardless of whether you’re thinking of 24 hour care or just 4 hour care, Agape In Home care is here to serve you and we’d love nothing more than to answer any questions you have and give you practical advice to help guide you through this trying time.

24 Hour Care
This is our highest level of care which provides three care-givers rotating shifts throughout the day. Pricing depends on the skills required and we will work to optimize scheduling to provide the greatest value to you so that if high skills are only required for part of the day, only that shift will be staffed at the higher level.
In Home Safety Assessment
We’d be honored to meet you at the home where care will be provided to provide you with a free safety evaluation from one of our trained Ageing in Place experts. We’ll provide you with an assessment that provides you with action items to create a safer environment. At this visit, you can also ask questions about our services and if you want, we can present you with a proposed Plan of Care.
Daily Visits
You may only need someone to ensure daily routines are being followed as well as light housework is completed regularly. We will stop by each morning to get the day started off on a good path. Our packages will be crafted to meet your needs..
Ad Hoc Drop-in Visits
If you’d prefer, we will get things done for you outside the house on your behalf whether that’s picking up dry cleaning, grocery shopping, picking up medications or delivering packages.
Companion Errand Runs
Sure, there are grocery and other delivery services available, but sometimes nothing beats simply getting out of the house and shopping on our own. That’s why we’re here to provide light errand services. We will pick you up and either drive your vehicle or ours to the store and assist you as needed with your shopping or your appointments such as doctor, hair or spa visits.