How to decide when it’s time for round-the-clock support—and how it can bring peace of mind to your family
When a loved one starts needing care day and night, the question many Miami families ask is:
Is 24-hour home care the right solution—or is it time to consider other options?
At Homewatch CareGivers of Coral Gables, we’ve helped countless families across Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Brickell, and Pinecrest navigate this decision. Whether it’s because of dementia, mobility issues, or post-hospital recovery, knowing when to bring in 24-hour support can make all the difference in keeping your loved one safe, comfortable, and at home.
Here’s what you should know.
What Is 24-Hour Home Care?
24-hour home care means that trained caregivers are present around the clock to help with personal care, safety, and companionship. It’s often delivered in one of two formats:
- Live-in care, where a caregiver resides in the home and is on-call overnight (requires time for breaks and sleep)
- Rotating shifts, where two or three caregivers rotate 8- or 12-hour shifts to provide continuous, awake care day and night
This level of care is ideal for clients who need supervision or hands-on assistance 24/7—especially if they live alone or are at risk of falls, wandering, or medical emergencies.
Who Benefits from 24-Hour Home Care?
24-hour care is a smart, compassionate option for seniors who need more than occasional help. You might consider it if your loved one is experiencing:
✅ Advanced Alzheimer’s or dementia
They may become confused at night, wander, or need redirection and reassurance at all hours.
✅ Frequent falls or mobility issues
If your loved one has a history of falls or is a fall risk, 24/7 care ensures someone is always nearby to assist.
✅ Recent surgery, stroke, or hospitalization
After a hospital stay, round-the-clock care helps prevent complications, manage medications, and support recovery.
✅ Chronic health conditions
Conditions like Parkinson’s, heart failure, or COPD often require regular monitoring and assistance with daily activities.
✅ Caregiver burnout in the family
If your family is stretched too thin trying to provide care, 24-hour home care can relieve stress and restore balance.
A Real-Life Story from Coral Gables
Mrs. Diaz, an 84-year-old widow in Coral Gables, had been managing well with part-time care after her hip surgery. But when her dementia progressed, her daughter—who lives in Brickell—started getting midnight phone calls about wandering and confusion.
After one too many sleepless nights, the family reached out to Homewatch CareGivers. We developed a 24-hour care plan that included a rotating team of trained dementia caregivers who could keep Mrs. Diaz calm, safe, and engaged—day and night.
Now, her daughter can sleep again, and Mrs. Diaz continues living in the home she loves.
What Services Are Included in 24-Hour Care?
Our caregivers support seniors with a wide range of non-medical services, including:
- Personal care: bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting
- Mobility support: safe transfers, fall prevention, assistance with walking
- Meal prep and hydration reminders
- Medication reminders and monitoring
- Companionship and cognitive stimulation
- Safety supervision—especially overnight
- Transportation to appointments or errands
- Emotional support for both clients and family
Each care plan is personalized to match your loved one’s needs, preferences, and lifestyle—whether they live in a quiet neighborhood in Coconut Grove, an apartment in Brickell, or a home in Key Biscayne.
Is 24-Hour Home Care the Same as Nursing Care?
No—24-hour home care is non-medical. While caregivers are trained in safety, personal care, and chronic condition support, they do not provide clinical medical services like injections or wound care. However, we frequently coordinate with home health and hospice teams when clients require both types of care.
How Does It Compare to Assisted Living?
Families often ask: “Should we choose 24-hour care at home—or move to an assisted living facility?”
While assisted living provides help in a community setting, it lacks the one-on-one support and personal attention that home care offers. With 24-hour home care:
- Your loved one stays in their home and community
- You have more control over routines, meals, and caregivers
- Care is tailored to the individual, not standardized
Families stay closer and more involved in day-to-day care decisions
Plus, in upscale Miami neighborhoods like Coral Gables and Coconut Grove, many seniors strongly prefer to age in place.
Is It Affordable?
We understand that 24-hour care is a financial commitment—but it may be more cost-effective than moving into a facility, especially when you factor in:
- Veterans’ benefits (Aid & Attendance, VA Home Health Aide Program)
- Long-term care insurance
- Certain Medicare Advantage plans
- Medicaid waiver programs (depending on eligibility)
We help families in Miami explore every available resource to make care more affordable and sustainable.
Let’s Talk About What’s Right for Your Family
Choosing 24-hour home care is a big step—but it can also be the most loving and empowering one. If you’re noticing signs that your loved one needs more support, or if you’re simply exhausted trying to do it all alone, we’re here to help.
📞 Call Homewatch CareGivers of Coral Gables today for a free consultation. We’ll talk through your options, answer your questions, and create a plan that gives you peace of mind—and gives your loved one the care they deserve.