24-Hour Home Care Meaning and Purpose
24-hour home care is a type of assistance provided to older individuals or individuals with complex care needs who require continuous support. It is delivered by a team of carers who develop a deep understanding of the individual’s needs and are extensively trained to provide high-quality care within the comfort of the person’s own home. With 24-hour care at home, individuals receive support throughout the day, evening, and night, ensuring they are never left without the necessary care.
Many people and families facing the need for long-term care and support prefer to remain in the safety and familiarity of their own homes. Moving into a care home, care setting, or continuing an extended hospital stay can result in the imposition of routines, feelings of isolation from loved ones and the community, and a loss of autonomy. Choosing 24-hour home care allows individuals to maintain their desired way of life while benefiting from personalised care delivered by compassionate and proactive carers. The primary focus of these carers is to improve the quality of life and overall well-being of the individuals they support.
The scope of 24-hour home care encompasses various aspects of assistance to meet the individual’s needs. This includes personal care and mobility support. Carers are also equipped to provide person-centred care, accommodating individuals with dementia, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and many other health conditions. Assistance with medication and providing companionship are additional services offered. The care plan is tailored and flexible, developed collaboratively with the individual, their loved ones, and healthcare professionals. Experienced and professional carers are matched to the individual’s care needs, interests, and preferences to prioritise well-being.
Emotional Needs and Challenges of Care Recipients
The emotional needs and challenges of individuals needing 24-hour home care can vary based on personal health needs and other factors. However, some common needs and challenges include:
Need for emotional support: Due to the challenges associated with a health condition or disabilities. Care recipients may feel anxious, overwhelmed, or lonely and require companionship from caregivers.
Challenges with maintaining independence and autonomy: Individuals may feel dependent on others for their daily activities. Therefore, balancing the need for assistance with maintaining a sense of control and decision-making is crucial.
Challenges adjusting to changes: Adjusting to changes can lead to feelings of sadness or even depression. Caregivers play a crucial role in providing emotional support to individuals while navigating these emotional challenges.
Need for social connections: Caregivers facilitate social engagement by arranging visits from friends or family or connecting individuals with community resources.
Experiencing fear and anxiety: Open communication helps overcome any emotions related to health concerns or general anxiety.
Support for family members: Family members or loved ones often experience stress, guilt, or worry. Supporting and involving family members in the care process can help address these emotional challenges.
Addressing complex care and emotional needs, ensuring safety, and providing comprehensive care tailored to the individual’s health needs are essential components of 24-hour home care services.
Emotional Challenges Faced by Caregivers
Caring for people can be rewarding, but it also comes with numerous emotional challenges that can accumulate over time. Recognising these challenges is crucial to prevent them from negatively impacting the caregiver’s mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.
Some common emotional challenges faced by caregivers include:
- Anxiety from a sense of losing control, leading to symptoms such as restlessness and sleep disturbances
- Burnout, characterised by physical and mental exhaustion, is a common result of prolonged stress
- Grief is a natural response when a caregiver faces a loss or challenging situations
- Guilt manifests in various forms, including feeling like they are not doing enough, when they are providing compassionate care
- Sleep deprivation is a common challenge due to worry, completing caregiving tasks, or supporting with the care recipient’s sleep disturbances
- Loneliness and isolation due to an unhealthy work-life balance
While there are many emotional challenges that caregivers face, with a healthy work-life balance and support from managers, caregivers thrive in their roles and provide compassionate support.
Emotional Benefits of 24-Hour Home Care
Receiving 24-hour home care offers many emotional benefits and is often a preferred choice to moving into a care home, nursing care or other residential care facility. Familiarity with one’s home environment is crucial in helping individuals maintain their independence, alleviate anxiety and stress, and improve overall well-being. Daily routines and familiar surroundings contribute significantly to a sense of stability, particularly for individuals with dementia or Parkinson’s disease.
One of the key advantages of 24-hour home care is the personalised and tailored approach to caregiving. Carers provide dedicated one-to-one care for various tasks, including meal preparation, personal care, and exercises. This individualised care boosts the individual’s confidence and quality of life, while flexible care plans can be customised to meet specific preferences and evolving needs.
Additional benefits of 24-hour home care include:
- Maintaining independence and freedom – individuals can continue living on their preferred terms, with a carer available to support their needs
- Demystifying cost misconceptions – contrary to common belief, 24-hour home care can be a cost-effective option compared to residential nursing homes
- Preserving one’s lifestyle – by staying at home, individuals can keep their treasured possessions, maintain their daily routines, and enjoy the familiarity of their community
- Providing peace of mind – both the care recipient and their family members gain peace of mind, knowing that domestic chores such as cleaning, shopping, and laundry are taken care of by the caregiver
- Respite for family caregivers – 24-hour home care offers family caregivers a much-needed break from household responsibilities
- Consistent companionship – the presence of a caregiver reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation
- Immediate response to emergencies – the caregiver is ready and always available to provide immediate and proactive assistance
Establishing Trust and Empathy with Care Recipients
Establishing trust and empathy with care recipients is essential in the healthcare field. Empathy, which involves understanding and relating to another person’s emotions, is crucial for providing high-quality care and creating a positive care experience for individuals.
Empathy leads to improved health outcomes and better management of health conditions as individuals become active participants in their treatment plans. Empathy also improves communication and understanding, allowing caregivers to address better the care recipients’ concerns, needs, unique circumstances, and goals. This fosters a sense of trust and encourages care recipients to continue seeking care from healthcare providers who have built a positive bond with them.
Establishing trust and empathy reduces anxiety and stress among care recipients. The presence of a supportive and empathetic caregiver creates a sense of security, comfort, and emotional well-being. It also paves the way for a collaborative relationship between caregivers and care recipients, where individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to participate in decision-making processes related to their care. This promotes autonomy and ensures that the care provided aligns with the preferences and values of the individual.
Building a therapeutic relationship is another important aspect of establishing trust and empathy. Caregivers go beyond providing medical care by offering emotional support, understanding, and compassion. This holistic approach fosters a strong bond and contributes to a positive care experience for the individual.
Promoting Emotional Well-being in 24-Hour Home Care
Emotional well-being significantly impacts an individual’s quality of life, promoting a positive outlook and self-esteem. At the same time, it reduces anxiety, loneliness, depression, boredom, and stress. Enhancing emotional health can be achieved through various strategies.
Firstly, ensuring proper bathing and grooming routines, assisting with tasks such as makeup application or shaving, and providing clothing can boost an individual’s confidence and overall outlook on life.
Exercise is crucial for maintaining a healthy mind and body. Going for walks or joining exercise classes can contribute to emotional well-being and prevent depression. Proper nutrition is often overlooked but essential for regulating mood, and preparing nutritious meals can positively impact emotional health.
Allowing individuals to make decisions based on their judgment promotes independence and provides a sense of control over their lives, contributing to emotional well-being. Communication, involvement in social activities, and visits with friends and family help combat isolation and improve social acceptance.
Loneliness can lead to serious emotional health challenges, so planning various social activities and ensuring regular socialisation can lift an individual’s mood and prevent isolation. Engaging in purposeful activities, pursuing hobbies, or volunteering in the local community, can give individuals a sense of usefulness, maintain motivation, and prevent depression.
24-hour home care prioritises the physical and mental health of an individual, and caregivers provide compassionate support to make sure care recipients feel empowered in their life and community.
Unique Community Services Offers 24-Hour Care at Home
At Unique Community Services, our approach to 24-hour care is personalised, considering each individual’s unique care needs, preferences, and goals. Our person-centred approach helps the people we serve maintain their independence while receiving proactive care, enabling them to continue enjoying their preferred lifestyle.
Our dedicated and compassionate carers and clinicians are involved in every step of the care process, from designing tailored care plans to delivering the services. They work closely with individuals and their families to ensure the best possible care experience. Our carers provide exceptional care and offer ongoing advice and continuous support to families, ensuring they feel reassured and confident in the quality of our services.
Our offices are located in Manchester and Bristol and our services are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), ensuring high standards of care.
To learn more about how we can support you or a loved one, contact us today.
