In-home care is a good balance between a patient’s need for specialized care and independence. The patient gets to stay in the comfort of their own home while ensuring that their care and medical needs are met. However, with in-home care, patients have to choose between part-time or full-time. Here are some of the differences to keep in mind, as well as advice before you transition to full-time care.
Key Differences Between Part-Time and Full-Time In-Home Care
1. Care Hours
Part-time home care involves fewer hours than full-time care. Where full-time care ensures that there is always a caregiver around, part-time care involves a caregiver being there for only a certain number of hours each day. This is better for patients who have some independence but could still benefit from some assistance. However, depending on the patient's ability level, full-time in-home care might be the only option in some cases.
2. Cost of Care
As you may expect, full-time care is more expensive due to the higher level of care and the additional hours of care provided. However, this can vary greatly depending on the patient’s needs. Also, keep in mind that when you hire a part-time in-home carer, you may have to cover transportation costs which are often already included in a full-time carer’s fee.
3. Range of Care
As expected, part-time home care would be less intensive than full-time care. With full-time in-home care, patients receive a much higher level of care for a longer amount of time. This may include physical therapy, wound care, and medications. Often, full-time care is for patients that require a higher level of care, as part-time patients will be without care for a portion of their day.
4. Relationship with Carers
When it comes to some full-time in-home care companies, patients are often looked after by a rotating team of the same carers, whereas, with part-time in-home care, patients tend to be cared for by different caregivers each time. It’s important to check how your care provider will schedule their caregivers for your part-time or full-time arrangements so you’ll know what to expect.
Fortunately, at Comfort Keepers, our Client Care Coordinator will always match you with the best caregiver for your needs. This helps our patients feel more at ease with better consistency of care.
Transitioning From Part-Time to Full-Time In-Home Care
For those interested in transiting from part-time to full-time in-home care, there are a few things you’ll need to do.
Speak to Your Caregiver
If you're interested in making the transition, be sure to talk with your care provider first. This will give them time to prepare, make any necessary adjustments and ensure that you have access to the care you need. Also, remember that your caregiver is extremely experienced in the field, so they can give you valuable suggestions and insights into improving your care, routines and attending to your needs.
Establish a Good Relationship
Full-time caregivers will be around a lot, so it’s important that you establish a good relationship with your caregiver. This will help you feel more comfortable with the transition and make it less stressful for both of you. Building trust and good communication will help the transition progress smoothly and helps your caregiver understand your personality, preferences, and needs.
Choosing Between Part-Time and Full-Time In-Home Care
Because of the differences between part-time and full-time care, it’s important to have a good grasp of your needs. Full-time care is more expensive, so patients with a lower budget may want to look into part-time care before considering full-time care opportunities. In some cases, your medical insurance may cover a certain portion, too, making it more affordable.
Depending on how much family support the patient has, part-time care may be a good choice. This allows the patient’s family to continue their work, while the patient still gets the required care and attention during the day or when they’re unavailable.
Ultimately, it can come down to personal preference. Some patients simply prefer full-time care to part-time care or vice versa. It’s important to respect the patient’s opinion and choose the preferred option that would make the patient feel the most comfortable.
Consult Comfort Keepers For Your In-Home Care Needs
Home care is an excellent way of ensuring that patients’ needs are being met right in the comfort of their homes. Whether you choose part-time care or full-time care is up to you. At the end of the day, your comfort is what matters while it’s also important to understand the differences so you can weigh up the pros and cons.
