This time of year usually means family staying for longer visits over the holidays and more time to really observe how your loved one is functioning day to day. You may notice things you just don’t catch during quick drop-ins or phone calls—like how they move around their home, manage meals, or handle basic tasks.
In Las Vegas, many seniors live alone or as “snowbirds,” so the gap between visits can be months long, making holiday gatherings a powerful reality check. As you celebrate, it can become painfully clear that what once seemed like “a little forgetfulness” or “a bit of slowing down” is now impacting your loved one’s safety and independence.
What Holiday Visits Reveal About Independence
When you’re in the home for a few days instead of a few hours, patterns start to emerge. Here are some of the most important changes to watch for as you spend time together this season:
Physical changes
- Noticeable weight loss or loose clothing that used to fit.
- Difficulty getting up from the couch or bed, or holding onto furniture to walk.
- Unsteady balance, shuffling steps, or reluctance to use stairs or walk outside.
Home environment
- Dishes piled up, spoiled food in the fridge, or very limited groceries in the pantry.
- Laundry not done, stains on clothing, or a strong odor suggesting poor hygiene.
- Cluttered walkways, throw rugs, or poor lighting that make falls more likely.
Cognitive changes
- Repeating the same questions, forgetting recent conversations, or missing appointments.
- Confusion about dates, times, or where items are in their own home.
- Struggling to follow multi-step tasks like simple recipes or paying bills.
Behavioral and emotional patterns
- Increased irritability, anxiety, or tearfulness that isn’t typical for them.
- Withdrawing from family, church, social groups, or favorite local activities.
- Seeming overwhelmed by small decisions or easily frustrated by routine tasks.
If you’re seeing several of these at once, it’s often a sign that occasional help or “checking in” is no longer enough to keep them safe—especially when you’re not nearby.
Red Flags That 24/7 Care May Be Needed
If you’re debating whether it’s “time,” use these red flags as a guide. When several are present, round-the-clock support is usually the most appropriate level of care:
- Frequent falls or “near-misses,” especially at night.
- Waking up disoriented, wandering around the house, or leaving the home unexpectedly.
- Forgetting medications, mixing them up, or insisting they’ve taken them when they haven’t.
- Safety risks like leaving the stove on, not locking doors, or misusing appliances.
- Increasing caregiver burnout—family feeling exhausted, on edge, or fearful of leaving them alone.
- A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia paired with clear signs of progression (getting lost, paranoia, significant confusion).
If your gut is telling you, “I don’t feel safe leaving Mom alone anymore,” pay attention to that. That intuition is often right.
What 24/7 Home Care Looks Like in Las Vegas
Choosing 24/7 home care doesn’t mean giving up your loved one’s independence—it means bringing professional support into the place they feel safest: home. With BrightStar Care of Las Vegas W, 24/7 care is designed to feel personal, respectful, and deeply supportive.
Here’s what it typically includes:
- Personal care assistance: Gentle help with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility, always with dignity and respect.
- Medication management: Ensuring medications are taken correctly and on time, and watching for side effects or changes that may need to be reported to the nurse or physician.
- Meal preparation and nutrition: Planning and preparing nutritious meals and snacks that fit your loved one’s preferences, culture, and medical needs—especially important when appetite is low or special diets are needed.
- Companionship and engagement: Meaningful conversation, favorite TV shows, short walks if appropriate, card games, or reminiscing about family memories, travel, or Las Vegas history.
- Safety and monitoring: Constant supervision to help prevent falls, wandering, and household accidents, plus clear protocols for responding quickly if something does go wrong.
- Customized care plans: A Registered Nurse oversees the plan of care so that support is tailored to your loved one’s diagnosis, habits, and personality—and can be adjusted as their needs change.
The Emotional Side for You and Your Family
We often carry the emotional weight of care decisions as family members age. It’s common to feel guilt, grief, or even a sense of “failure” when you consider 24/7 care, even though you’re doing everything you possibly can.
Here’s what to remember as you walk through this:
- It’s okay to grieve the change
- You’re not just making a logistical decision; you’re acknowledging that your loved one has reached a new stage of life. Allow yourself to feel sad, scared, or overwhelmed—that’s very human.
- You don’t have to carry this alone
- Bring siblings, close family, or trusted friends into the conversation. When everyone shares what they’re seeing and feeling, it’s easier to move forward as a united front instead of one person trying to be “the strong one.”
- You’re shifting roles, not abandoning them
- 24/7 home care allows you to be daughter instead of full-time caregiver—to spend your visits talking, laughing, and holding hands instead of only managing medications, meals, and laundry. That can actually deepen your relationship in this season.
BrightStar Care of Las Vegas W understands how personal and emotional this decision is and walks alongside families with compassion, not pressure.
FAQs About 24/7 Home Care in Las Vegas
How BrightStar Care of Las Vegas W Can Help
Recognizing that your loved one may need 24/7 home care is an act of love, not of giving up. It’s a way of saying, “You matter too much for us to leave your safety to chance.”
BrightStar Care of Las Vegas W provides:
- 24/7 in-home care customized to your loved one’s needs and personality.
- RN oversight of every care plan for added clinical support.
- A team of caregivers who are carefully screened, trained, and supported.
- Flexible options—from short-term 24/7 care after a hospitalization to long-term, ongoing support.
For many families in Las Vegas, Summerlin, Spring Valley, and the surrounding areas, 24/7 home care is what makes it possible for Mom or Dad to stay in the place they love—at home—without sacrificing safety or comfort.
Take the Next Step
If this holiday season has opened your eyes to just how much your loved one is struggling, you don’t have to figure out the next step on your own.
BrightStar Care of Las Vegas W is here to listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you explore whether 24/7 care is the right fit for your family.
- Call: 702-982-2273
- Location: 4775 S Durango Dr Suite 200, Las Vegas, NV 89147
- Learn more: Visit our website to explore our skilled nursing and in-home care services and educational resources.
You deserve peace of mind, and your loved one deserves to feel safe, cared for, and respected—this season and all year long. BrightStar Care of Las Vegas W's team of professionals will assist you in finding the right caregiver for your loved one. Contact us today to learn more about caregiving services! Our office is at 4775 S. Durango Dr., Suite 200, Las Vegas, NV, 89147. You may also call us at (702) 982-2273.
We look forward to hearing from you!