Caring for elderly parents is a challenging and often overwhelming task. When elderly parents require around-the-clock care, it can be even more challenging. 24-hour nursing care at home is a great option for elderly parents who need constant care and supervision.
In this guide, we will outline how you can manage the 24-hour private duty care for your elderly parents. However, it’s worth noting that creating and managing a 24-hour care plan is an intense, time-consuming initiative. For those who have full-time jobs, family obligations or live out of town, engaging an in-home care agency to create and manage the plan may be beneficial.
However, hiring a caregiver on your own comes with several risks. If families hire a nurse or aide directly, they are liable for any and all potential mishaps such as theft, property damage and workers’ compensation. By engaging a caregiving partner (in-home agency) such as BrightStar Care saves time, covers liability and guarantees your caregiver has been vetted with the highest quality standards in Northeast Ohio.
If you’re interested in engaging a partner to create and manage a care plan and have access to vetted, qualified 24-hour private duty care nurses or aides for your elderly parent in need of in-home care, please call us 24/7 at 440.613.1500 or visit our website to learn more.
In this guide, we will outline how you can manage the 24-hour private duty care for your elderly parents. However, it’s worth noting that creating and managing a 24-hour care plan is an intense, time-consuming initiative. For those who have full-time jobs, family obligations or live out of town, engaging an in-home care agency to create and manage the plan may be beneficial.
Develop a Care Plan
The first step in managing 24-hour private nursing care for your elderly parents is to develop a care plan. This plan should include information about their medical needs, medication schedules, dietary requirements, and most importantly, daily routines.The plan should be reviewed by:
- Other family members to ensure nothing is missed and the entire unit is on the same page
- Your parent’s primary care physician to ensure all medical needs are covered
- The caregiver, after the family unit and physician have signed off, so they have a clear understanding of what is expected of them.
Hire a Private Duty Caregiver
When it comes to 24-hour in-home care, it is important to hire professional nurses or aides who are trained and experienced in providing round-the-clock attention. Professional caregivers can provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), medication management, and other medical care. They can also provide companionship and socialization for your elderly parents. Are your parents baseball fans? A private caregiver can take the time to watch a Cleveland Guardians game with them. They can connect on a deeper level than just client and aide.However, hiring a caregiver on your own comes with several risks. If families hire a nurse or aide directly, they are liable for any and all potential mishaps such as theft, property damage and workers’ compensation. By engaging a caregiving partner (in-home agency) such as BrightStar Care saves time, covers liability and guarantees your caregiver has been vetted with the highest quality standards in Northeast Ohio.
Educate Your Caregiving Partner
Once you have hired a professional caregiver through an in-home care agency (your caregiving partner), it is important to share your care plan with the agency staff to ensure they properly educate and train their caregivers on your specific case. They want to ensure the caregiver(s) assigned to your case are equipped to provide the best care possible for your parent(s). This can include information about your parents’ medical conditions and medications, as well as instructions on how to perform various tasks, such as changing bedding, preparing meals, and bathing assistance.Establish a Schedule
When it comes to 24/7 in-home care, it is important to establish a schedule for the private duty caregiver. This schedule should include information about meal times, medication schedules, doctors’ and other appointments, and any other daily routines that your elderly parents follow. Tasks such as medication reminders and repositioning for pressure relief are just some of the duties your nurse should be able to handle.Provide the Necessary Supplies
In order to ensure that the caregiver can provide the best care possible, it is important to provide them with the necessary supplies for your loved one. This can include medical equipment, such as a blood pressure monitor, as well as personal care items, such as shampoo and soap. It is also important to ensure that there is an adequate supply of medication on hand. If you don’t live in the area, a service such as Instacart, may be a good option to send groceries and toiletries to the home, as needed.Monitor the Caregiver
While it is important to trust your caregiving partner, nurses and aides, it is also important to monitor their performance. This can include checking in with your parents to ensure that they are happy with the care they are receiving, as well as monitoring the caregiver’s performance, and installing monitoring devices in the home such as cameras and motion sensors is always a good idea!Maintain Open Communication
Maintaining open communication with the in-home agency and the individual private duty caregivers is essential for managing 24-hour in-home care for your elderly parents. This can include providing feedback on their performance and addressing any concerns that arise. It is also important to establish a clear line of communication so that you can reach the agency staff in case of an emergency.Take Care of Yourself
When you are managing 24-hour in-home nursing care for your elderly parents, it is important to take care of yourself as well. This can include taking breaks when you need them, seeking support from family and friends, and engaging in self-care activities, such as exercise and meditation. Taking breaks will help you to feel ready to handle the pressures of caregiving. Not sure what to do if you’re overwhelmed? Learn how to identify caregiver burnout and alleviate the stress of caregiving.Plan for Emergencies
Even with 24-hour private nursing care, emergencies can happen. It is important to have a plan in place in case of an emergency, such as a fall or a medical emergency. This can include having a list of emergency contacts and healthcare providers, as well as instructions for how to handle various situations. Knowing exactly which hospital system they typically use for care – such as Cleveland Clinic or Southwest – can be crucial in split decision making.Evaluate and Adjust the Care Plan
As your parents’ needs change, it is important to evaluate and adjust the care plan as needed. This can include making changes to the caregiver’s schedule or adjusting the type of care that they receive. It is important to communicate any changes to your in-home care agency and the caregiver so that they can provide the best service possible. Working together to evolve the care plan ensures your parents' care is covered from all angles.In Summary
By creating a plan, setting clear expectations and having clear communication with your caregiving partners: in-home care agency, private duty nurses and aides, you’re developing a solid strategy for your elderly parent’s 24-hour monitoring. Attending to the finer details of scheduling, providing supplies and emergency plans remove any hindrance from your loved one’s care. And with open feedback and assessing, you and your parent’s private caregivers will be able to successfully give the quality attention your loved one deserves.If you’re interested in engaging a partner to create and manage a care plan and have access to vetted, qualified 24-hour private duty care nurses or aides for your elderly parent in need of in-home care, please call us 24/7 at 440.613.1500 or visit our website to learn more.