24-hour care
24-hour care: why the concept is so helpful for those in need of care and their relatives.
Many relatives of family members in need of care are at some point faced with the question of what type of care is possible and appropriate for the health restrictions. It is not entirely unimportant to what extent and to what extent care is required, because for many of those affected it is practically unthinkable to go to a care facility.
The fear of change is far too great – especially when older people feel helpless and often left alone. Relatives have a difficult task to cope with here – namely to find the right solution for those affected and to work out suitable care for everyone involved.
24-hour care can be the means of choice here, with which relatives as well as those affected can come to terms well. The most important questions about 24-hour care are examined in more detail in this article.
24-hour care: that’s what the concept is all about
With 24-hour care, the focus is on care, usually within your own four walls. Many relatives only want the best for the people they care for and therefore prefer care in their own home. Essentially, with this type of care for a 24-hour caregiver, everyday work is also on the schedule.
Activities such as:
- Shopping, cleaning, cooking, washing, tidying up
- Basic care and personal hygiene, dressing and undressing
- Employment throughout the day, help with going for a walk or simply social contact
24-hour care thus closes a gap that can be described as follows: family members who work full-time can usually care for a person in need of care “on the side”. On the other hand, care facilities and homes are usually overcrowded and also associated with high costs – and are therefore out of the question.
Care at home is therefore becoming more and more attractive and can also be realized with a suitable caregiver. A nursing service should also be involved for all medical activities or tasks, since a caregiver without nursing or medical training is neither permitted nor possible to take on this area of responsibility.
Why is 24 hour care so important? Benefits for relatives and those affected
Many are wondering why a caregiver should now look after the person concerned for 24 hours a day. Depending on the degree of care, different activities may only gradually arise that are a matter of course for everyone in the everyday routine, but can no longer be carried out independently by those affected.
However, the advantages for those in need of care can be clearly formulated:
- You can stay in your usual four walls and gradually get involved in the support. A well-known and, above all, familiar environment can be a big plus, especially in old age.
- Sticking to very simple things or daily routines can help older people maintain some independence or autonomy for longer. In addition, it is easier for many people to be cared for to accept help in their own household who takes on supporting activities and is there as a conversation partner.
It is also usually an advantage for the relatives if the visits can take place informally and flexibly at home. Especially when there are diagnoses such as diabetes or dementia , a caregiver in your own four walls who is available 24 hours a day is an important support for the relatives. Dementia, for example, progresses uncontrollably and prevents those affected from carrying out everyday tasks. However, care in your own home can offer the person with dementia security and guarantee 1:1 care.
Costs and financing options for 24-hour care
Of course, the cost factor is a point that should not be neglected. In most cases, the long-term care insurance fund will prepare an expert opinion in advance in order to determine the degree of care of the person concerned and thus calculate the amount of the subsidy. As a rule, care allowance is not directly earmarked and can therefore be used by relatives, for example to finance 24-hour care. The care allowance can amount to between 316 and 901 euros, the latter referring to care level five, the highest level of care.
Qualifications and knowledge of German, especially in the case of Eastern European caregivers, are also criteria that affect the costs. A room with a bed, table and cupboard should be available for the care staff. The shared use of kitchen, bathroom and toilet should be a matter of course. Board and lodging should also be taken into account when calculating the costs of the 24-hour nurse.
In most cases, you can count on around 2,000 to 3,000 euros per month for a caregiver – without the deductions mentioned above. Detailed calculation examples of how 24-hour care can be refinanced are also available online from the German Senior Citizens Care Service .
Assistance in choosing the right provider
When the decision has been made and the relatives are ready to hire a caregiver and take them into their own four walls, many ask themselves where to find a caregiver. Online portals offer checklists for pre-selecting the right caregiver as well as the possibility of arranging contact with qualified caregivers.
Anyone who finds and books a nurse through an agency usually has the additional benefit of a contact person who can advise on offers and provide support in the event of conflicts. For many, choosing the right caregiver is a key reason why they struggle with a 24-hour caregiver.
With a reputable placement agency at your side, however, selecting the right caregiver should no longer pose a challenge to start 24-hour care.
Conclusion: why investing in 24-hour care is worthwhile
Even if the financial aspect deters many from relying on 24-hour care, the big picture should be considered in this case. The question to be considered is to what extent the relatives can take on the care themselves over a certain period of time.
It should also be considered whether the care can be reconciled with the demands of work and family , because caring for relatives in need of care roughly corresponds to the time required for a part-time job. When it comes to vacation, leisure activities or a business trip, caregivers must also be sought, found and paid for. In most cases, the activities and care times as well as the effort will increase.
Relatives should therefore consider the extent to which care is possible in addition to their own tasks and obligations. For those affected, it is initially a change, but many feel comfortable when someone is always there. The social aspect – conversations or cooking together – can also be well covered by a 24-hour caregiver. This helps to break the ice at the beginning and ensures quality of life for everyone involved in the long term.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.