24-Hour “Live-In” Home Care

Typically, we get a call from one of our referral sources when a prospective client has had a fall or they are in a rehab facility recovering from a medical event. Last month it was Mrs. Smith, who was in a nursing home rehab facility recovering from a fall after she fractured her hip in doing so. The rehab stay varies from case to case, but in this situation, Mrs. Smith was rehabbing for several weeks. Her family wanted her to return home as soon as possible. 

Prior to discharge, her family reached out to us (Live-In Advantage Home Care) inquiring about 24 hour coverage, caregiver responsibilities and experience. It can be a very thorough interviewing screening process for the family wanting to ensure they are getting the quality of care they are looking for. Most importantly for us is that we match the needs of our future client and their family to the most accurate details of their needs. I always explain to families that we tailor our placements as closely as we can to their situation and their requests. There is not a “cookie cutter” program for everyone, but a careful approach to match the individual needs of each client. When we select the Caregiver, we take into account all the variables that will match up with the client, family and friends so it becomes a smooth transition for all.

When Mrs. Smith was being discharged from the nursing home, we begin to implement our Care Plan. We arrive at Mrs. Smith’s home as requested but we also can meet the client right at the nursing home if needed. It’s usually up to the family. Once our client was settled in, we will sit to discuss our level of care. Mrs. Smith, her children, the caregiver and our field supervisor all huddle up in the living room to discuss their level of care. Our plan is to offer assistance for:

• Mobility
• Fluids
• Transfer
• Equipment
• Toileting
• Mental Status
• Limitations
• Special Observations / Precautions
• Short Term Goals
• Long Term Goals

This transition is rewarding for Mrs. Smith. She is finally home. She is grateful and she understands that the alternative plan would for her to be removed from her home she dearly loved. It has been her home for the 53 years. Her place of love. Her home where she raised her children. And they were all there at this meeting to ensure she was kept happy where she could age in place successfully. 

The next several days, up to a week, is the adjustment period for Mrs. Smith and our caregiver. This is the time the two personalities make an adjustment and blend together. The focus for our caregiver is to ensure that Mrs. Smith gets into her daily routine. We all want to be into our own routine whatever it may be.  As folks age it is equally important to manage their day to their own needs. Part of this is reviewed in our Care Plan and the other part is just playing out life as according to Mrs. Smith. 

Several spot checks from our office and our field supervisor takes place over the next few days via telephone and text. Our field supervisor visits our new client, Mrs. Smith each week for the first month to again ensure our Care Plan is working and both our caregiver and Mrs. Smith are adjusting smoothly. 

After the first 30 days, we again sit down with the family and client to see if there is any need to adjust our Care Plan. Most of the time there are subtle tweaks but overall, there generally are not a whole lot of changes needed. The companionship between Mrs. Smith and the caregiver begins to become very apparent. They talk about their favorite shows, games they play and the meals prepared just the other day. 

The transition has evolved into a smooth one. The bond and friendship are unfolding, and Mrs. Smith is in her own environment in her home, the place she has called home for over 53 years.