How Much Does A Live-In Caregiver Cost?

How Much Does A Live-in Caregiver Cost?

We are sure this post will answer all the questions you have regarding live-in caregiver costs. In the United States, elderly care costs are one of the main concerns for families. In this COVID-19 pandemic, families want to know more about caregiver costs and how they are funded. They want to explore different options and understand their pros & cons.

Here, we will walk you through different types of care and answer any and all questions concerning live-in care costs.

How Live-In Care Works

Living-in caregivers fall into two categories. Those in which a caregiver must have a place to sleep (and a bed) and those in which a place to sleep isn’t required. 

The difference in care impact: The amount of care, the type of care provided, and the cost of those care services.

Regardless of whichever care is needed, the Caregiver has to be available at all times (including during the night time). Most people use the terms “live-in care” and “24-hour care” interchangeably. 

Despite the similarities between both types of care, there are distinct differences between them. Which will be discussed in more detail below. 

There is also a third living-in care option, which is overnight / daytime live-in care.

“Live-in Caregiving”

There is usually one person providing 24/7 care during “live in” caregiving, who usually works between four to five days a week. The Caregiver is given 8 hours of sleep each night (this type of care requires a bed). Even though they may be woken up throughout the night to provide care. 

An additional 4-hour break is provided for the Caregiver during the day. 

Other caregivers may or may not take over when the primary Caregiver is on break, depending on the care recipient’s needs and the family’s decision. On days when the primary Caregiver isn’t available, an alternative caregiver takes over.

“24-hour Caregiving”

A 24-hour care situation involves two or three caregivers working in the care recipient’s home 8-12 hours a day, providing “round-the-clock care“. People who need more care and attention are more likely to benefit from 24-hour live-in care. Unless a family chooses to allow it, no sleeping breaks are provided with this type of care.

“Overnight / Daytime Caregiving”

A caregiver who provides overnight care usually does so a few hours before the elderly retire to bed, during the night (if necessary), and a few hours when the patients wake up in the morning. In most cases, the Caregiver can sleep during the night. In some situations, the Caregiver may live in the home with the care recipient. 

Another option is to have a caregiver provide daytime assistance, live at home, and provide nighttime support “as needed.” Caregiver presence at night is treated more as a form of a safety measure or considered an “on-call caregiver.” They are not expected to need their help every night.

How much does live-in home care for the elderly cost?

Unlike other types of aging care, it is tough to estimate what live-in caregivers cost. Estimates range from as low as $1,000 / month to as high as $5,000 / month. 

There are many reasons for the dramatic price gap. The most significant reasons are the geographic area in which the care recipient resides, the amount of care required, and whether the Caregiver maintains a separate residence. 

One factor that affects the price significantly is how often sleep is disrupted during the night hours.

For persons requiring full-time care or supervision, the cost of a live-in caregiver is typically less expensive than full-time home care or nursing home care. But it is financially similar when considered as an alternative to assisted living.  

Of course, homeownership, mortgages, rents, and other utilities play into the equation. So everyone’s situation is different. Contact your nearest home care agency to see which care plan fits the needs of you and your loved one.

If you would like to find out how in home care for the elderly cost is calulated click here.

How can I reduce the cost of care?

There are ways to get funding to cover the cost of live-in care. You or a loved one may qualify to get support from your local authority to finance live-in care. 

Cost of Elder Care Considerations

As seniors age, most of them prefer to stay in their homes for as long as possible. During the later years, a familiar environment, proximity to friends & family, and a sense of independence can help improve the well-being of older adults, especially in conditions like dementia.

During live-in home care, The Caregiver will temporarily move into your home to look after you or your family member. One Caregiver can be booked for a maximum of four to five days per week, depending on the location. 

The cost of live-in dementia care and elder care is not different from other forms of live-in care. However, specific symptoms like advanced dementia can require extra input.

Live-in Care vs. Residential Care

A residential care facility is also known as a care home. It’s where older people reside and get assistance for their day-to-day activities. The residential facilities are run by trained individuals. They provide help, emotional support, etc.

The residential care facility is not ideal for seniors with specific medical conditions like more advanced dementia. The cost of residential care can vary depending on whether the elderly require a nurse or not.

Live-in care is when caregivers reside with your elderly loved ones and provides assistance with daily activities. With Live-in home care, the elderly can stay in their own homes, which has been found to give them confidence and independence. 

The good thing about live-in care is, the Caregiver will have specialized training to understand the needs and help them accordingly. They help elders with their appointments, outings, social events, etc. Unlike residential care, they do not have to stay at a residential facility to be cared for. 

What is included in the live-in package? 

The care provided by live-in caregivers is the same as the care provided by other home care or home health workers.

Aside from supervision, they can provide the following:

  • Personal care

  • Assistance with the activities of daily living

  • Companionship

  • If trained, nursing services

Care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities is (or can be) comparable. In addition to preparing meals, live-in caregivers often do light housekeeping, medication reminders, shop for groceries, and drive them to recreational activities or medical appointments. 

Alzheimer’s patients are frequently assisted by live-in caregivers. Their needs are generally limited to supervision rather than constant care.

Parkinson’s patients also utilize live-in care since they need assistance with mobility but don’t necessarily need more advanced nursing skills. 

Is there a discount for live-in care couples cost?

Linda’s care offers discounts to live-in caregivers for elderly married couples in their homes. We offer group discounts and a live-in option with an associated break fee, which generates savings averaging as high as $1,600 per Caregiver annually. The Elderly Couple Caregivers’ Group Discounts are available here.

Cost of live-in care vs. cost of full-time nursing care

Full-time nursing care is when you hire a nurse for a specified number of hours to provide complete support. 

Let’s first understand the duties of nursing care services:

  • Assessing the patient’s condition, daily monitoring of vital signs, and preparing a chart of the patient’s health status

  • Reviewing and administering medicines on time

  • Wound dressing

  • Assisting other healthcare professionals in the provision of appropriate care to the patient

Non-medical live-in Caregiver:

  • Personal care

  • Expert care

  • Nutritional support

  • Companionship

  • Help with domestic chores

There is a significant difference between the cost of live-in home care and full-time nursing care. Obviously, hiring a specialized nurse on a full-time basis will cost more than a non-medical live-in care provider. 

Let’s understand how:

The duties performed by the nurse would be strictly medical duties. In this situation, you will need to hire additional help to assist with daily activities like bathing, toileting, sleep, etc. 

For that, you may need to hire a housekeeper or cleaner. This way, you have to pay for costs as well as costs for the housekeeper. Hiring a nurse and a housekeeper would increase your overall cost. That’s the reason why it is advisable to hire a well-trained caregiver who can perform specific tasks.

Live-in care after surgery

After any surgery, the elderly will require proper care and assistance. Staying at the hospital for the long term can be stressful. However, depending on the health condition and situation, the patient might have to remain in the hospital for proper care.

Hiring a 24-hours live-in home care provider can help the care recipient move back home. This way, A live-in caregiver would assist and support the elderly physically, medically, and emotionally.

When the live-in home care provider is present at home to take care of the care recipient, family members do not have to make repeated visits to the hospital. The Caregiver will be available 24/7 to help with daily activities.

Besides this, the care recipient will also feel safe at their home being around family.

live-in care for specific medical conditions

Live-in care can be a good option when your loved one has difficulty with their day-to-day activities due to medical conditions. In situations when it’s challenging to take care of a loved one with dementia or other diseases like Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis, hiring a live-in caregiver is the right thing to do. 

A live-in caregiver will reside with your loved ones. Hiring an excellent live-in caregiver will ensure one-to-one care for elderly adults who require extra attention. Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Providing better care for dementia patients and understanding their needs involves specialist skills and training.

Conclusion

Many seniors live with their children and family members who often don’t have the time or energy to provide around-the-clock care. If you want your loved ones to be able to continue living in their own homes for as long as possible. Live-in care might be the service for you, but with so many care options, understanding which care options meet all of your needs can be overwhelming.  

With Linda’s Care Home Care Services, we evaluate both you and your loved ones’ needs so that we can recommend the best care plan to fit your situation. 

Whether it’s in-home companion care or a Live-in care plan – our goal is to keep everyone safe and comfortable at home while receiving quality in-home care. Contact us today for a free consultation and find which care plan works best for you and your loved ones.”

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A Comprehensive Overview About Round The Clock Home Care