.png "whenisittime-chestercounty-(1).png")
Deciding when to move from part-time support to 24-hour care is one of the hardest choices many families face. In Greater Chester County, caregivers often find themselves asking, “Is it too soon? Or are we already past the point where more help is needed?” There’s rarely a perfect moment, but there are clear signs that it might be time to bring in round-the-clock care.
Whether you’re supporting a parent, spouse, or another loved one, recognizing when needs outgrow part-time care is essential for their safety and your peace of mind. Here are a few indicators to help guide that decision.
1. Safety Risks and Falls
If your loved one has had one or more falls, or near falls, this could be a sign that 24-hour care is needed. Even with safety modifications like grab bars, ramps, or walkers, some individuals need continuous supervision to stay safe. Having professional caregivers available day and night ensures someone is always there to assist and respond in an emergency.
2. Dementia-Related Confusion or Wandering
Families in Greater Chester County caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia know how unpredictable these conditions can be. Wandering, disorientation, and agitation often increase at night, when supervision tends to be more limited. 24-hour care can help manage these behaviors and keep your loved one safe and calm in a familiar environment.
3. Medical Conditions That Need Constant Monitoring
Managing chronic illnesses like diabetes, COPD, Parkinson’s, or recovering from surgery can require more than occasional check-ins. Medication schedules, wound care, assistance with medical equipment, and mobility support often become more demanding with time. Trained caregivers can provide the consistency and medical oversight needed to prevent complications.
4. Burnout in Family Caregivers
It’s common for families to take on more than they can handle. If caregiving is impacting your sleep, job, or emotional well-being, it may be time to consider more support.
Burnout doesn’t mean failure, it means you’ve been doing a lot, and now it’s time to take care of yourself too. 24-hour care allows you to be present and supportive without carrying the full weight of daily caregiving on your own.
5. Difficulty With Everyday Activities
If your loved one struggles with getting out of bed, preparing meals, bathing, or using the restroom without help, 24-hour care can ensure they’re never left waiting or at risk. Having a caregiver available around the clock means every need is met with patience and care, no matter the time of day or night.
6. Frequent Hospitalizations or Emergency Room Visits
Multiple hospital visits often signal that at-home care isn’t keeping up with your loved one’s changing health needs. Round-the-clock care can help manage health more proactively, reduce the likelihood of accidents or health emergencies, and support recovery after hospital stays.
7. Simply Wanting Better Quality of Life
Sometimes, 24-hour care is about more than just safety. It’s about giving your loved one a higher level of attention, companionship, and comfort. With more support, clients often feel less anxious, more socially engaged, and able to maintain more dignity in their day-to-day life.
What to Expect From 24-Hour Care at BrightStar Care of Greater Chester County
At BrightStar Care of Greater Chester County, we offer true 24-hour care provided by a rotating team of professional caregivers. Unlike live-in arrangements where one caregiver may sleep during shifts, our model ensures that your loved one receives active, alert care around the clock.
All care is overseen by a Registered Nurse who creates and updates each care plan based on changing needs. From personal care to skilled nursing tasks, our team is equipped to support a wide range of medical and daily living requirements.
We serve families across Greater Chester County, including West Chester, Downingtown, Coatesville, and surrounding communities. As a locally operated agency, we understand the area and the challenges families here face. We’re also accredited by The Joint Commission, which reflects our commitment to providing care that meets high standards of quality and safety.
Our caregivers are carefully selected, background-checked, and trained to bring both professionalism and compassion to the people we serve. Whether you need short-term 24-hour care following a hospital discharge or long-term support for a chronic condition, we’ll help you find the right fit.
If you're unsure whether it's time for 24-hour care, we’re here to guide you through it. Contact BrightStar Care of Greater Chester County to learn more about our personalized, around-the-clock home care solutions.
BrightStar Care® is Here to Help
At BrightStar Care® Greater Chester County, we offer a wide range of home care and medical staffing services that enrich the quality of life for those who need care from the comfort of their home. We strive to provide the full continuum of care to our community while keeping our focus on offering a higher standard of care. Offering unparalleled support for our local healthcare system while providing a variety of high-quality, compassionate care, we work to give our clients the best lives possible while also strengthening the broader community. Contact us through our website or call 610.857.7790, so that we can help you find the right support to fit your unique needs.