Home care doesn’t always look the same. While some families opt for a few hours of help each day, others choose 24-hour live-in care.
But how do you know which is right?
What’s the Difference?
Hourly Care
- A care companion visits once or several times a day
- Good for light-touch support: meal prep, medication prompts, washing
- Often used in early stages of need or when care is shared with family
Live-in Care
- A care companion lives in the home, providing 24/7 support
- Ideal for those with complex needs, mobility issues, dementia, or night-time anxiety
- Offers companionship and continuous safety
Considerations for Your Decision
- Level of Need: Does your loved one need overnight support or frequent help during the day?
- Family Availability: Are you able to fill the gaps if using hourly care?
- Cost: Hourly care can seem cheaper, but multiple visits per day can add up. Live-in care offers all-inclusive support, often better value than you’d expect.
- Peace of Mind: Live-in care brings reassurance that someone is always there.
Talk to us at McDonald Homecare, we’ll help you weigh the pros and cons and design a care plan that fits.