Live-in care in your own home

Live-in care is a form of long-term care where a trained Care Professional resides in the same home as the care recipient, providing around-the-clock assistance and support with various daily tasks and personal needs. This type of care is particularly beneficial for individuals who require continuous supervision and assistance due to medical conditions, disabilities, or age-related limitations. The live-in Care Pro offers a wide range of services, including help with personal hygiene, medication management, meal preparation, mobility assistance, household chores, and emotional companionship. Unlike traditional care facilities or “care homes”, live-in care allows the care recipient to remain in the comfort of their own home while receiving dedicated, personalised care. This arrangement not only promotes a sense of familiarity and independence but also establishes a close, one-on-one relationship between the Care Professional and the care recipient, fostering a far more supportive and happy environment.

The cost of live-in care can vary significantly based on several factors such as the location, the level and complexity of care needed (simple housekeeping or companionship care will be less costly than complex healthcare support, for example), and the provider you choose. Live-in care does tend to be more expensive on average than many other types of care due to the continuous presence of a Care Professional. Costs might encompass the caregiver’s wages, accommodation, meals, and in some cases, benefits. Nevertheless, considering the potential savings from not having to move to a care facility, live-in care can offer a cost-effective alternative for those who prefer to age or recover in the comfort of their own home rather than a residential care facility.

Live-in care is designed to support individuals who require assistance, supervision, and companionship on a continuous or even 24 hour basis due to various factors that affect their ability to live independently. This arrangement is particularly beneficial for the elderly who wish to maintain their independence at home while receiving help with daily activities like grooming, meal preparation, and medication management. It’s also suitable for those with disabilities who require constant support to enhance their quality of life and ensure their safety. A live-in care professional provides continuous support, companionship, and peace of mind to both the care recipient and their families.

Live-in care involves a Care Professional residing with an individual who requires assistance and support on a continuous basis. Like all other forms of home care, it starts with an assessment of needs, after which the right Care Professional for the recipient is selected based on skills, experience and personality fit, then a detailed care plan is developed, after which the carer moves into the home. Most Care Professionals work on a rotational basis so that they can still have time off without interrupting care, and contingency plans will also be put in place to ensure care is not interrupted if sickness or other circumstances cause the primary Care Professional to be unavailable, but the aim is still to have consistent and familiar care from a single caregiver in order to promote a comfortable relationship in a familiar environment.

Live-in care at home empowers the elderly to maintain their independence, dignity, and a sense of control over their lives, while still receiving dedicated, comprehensive support. By far the main benefit is that Live-in care allows care recipients to remain in the comfort and familiarity of their own home, which can significantly enhance emotional well-being and quality of life. This form of care is highly personalised, adapting to the specific needs and routines of the individual, ensuring tailored support for daily activities, medication management, mobility assistance, and more. The one-on-one nature of live-in care fosters a strong bond between the Care Professional and care recipient, providing companionship and reducing feelings of isolation. Staying at home eliminates the disruption and stress often associated with moving to a care facility, and even 24 hour care with a live-in carer can also be considerably more cost-effective than residential care options, as it avoids facility fees which can often be extremely steep.

Choosing live-in care for the elderly offers a multitude of advantages that cater specifically to their needs, allowing them to age gracefully within the familiarity and comfort of their own homes, preserving cherished routines and memories. With a dedicated Care Professional always present, there’s continuous support available for daily activities, medication management, mobility assistance, and more. The personalised nature of live-in care ensures that the elderly receive individualised attention that respects their preferences and maintains their dignity, and also fosters emotional well-being by minimising feelings of loneliness and isolation that can often arise in traditional care settings. Elderly adults and their families appreciate the strong bond that forms between the Care Professional and care recipient, promoting companionship and enhancing the overall quality of life during their later years.

Arranging live-in care with Home Instead is as easy as getting in touch with us by phone on 03300 583450, or making a care enquiry online. Your local office will get in touch with you for an initial discussion and needs assessment, and then get to work to find and introduce the best Care Professional fit to act as the primary carer, while also handling arrangements for continuous cover contingencies so care remains uninterrupted even in case of primary caregiver illness, as well as during their holiday breaks.

Live-in Care is not the same as 24-hour care. A Care Professional will typically work an 8 to 10 hour day. Those hours will be discussed in your initial assessment and tailored to suit the needs of the person receiving care. A Live-in Care Professional is of course on hand in case of emergencies, but it is not generally expected that they will provide ongoing night care. A Care Professional also needs to have breaks throughout the day and other Care Professionals may visit the home if a wrap-around care service is offered, giving the main care provider their needed breaks without any interruption in support.

A Live-in Care Professional’s rota can vary depending on the specific needs of the client, the type of care required, and the preferences of the individuals involved. The Care Professional will typically take up residence with the client and vacate the property when they have days and weeks off. When you are matched to a Care Professional, at the outset you will understand their expected working pattern, and an additional person may be recruited to fill the periods when they are arranged to be absent. This might mean that you have multiple Care Professionals working alternative schedules, meaning that the client receives continuity of care from friendly, familiar faces.

Having Live-in Care provides a transformative experience for elderly individuals needing support. Imagine having a compassionate Care Professional right by your side, assisting with daily tasks, from meal preparation and grooming to medication reminders. The constant presence of a caring companion fosters a sense of security and companionship, promoting emotional well-being. This arrangement ensures you can continue to enjoy the familiarity and comfort of your own home while receiving tailored assistance, ultimately enhancing your quality of life and independence.

A Live-in Care Professional must have their own bedroom for personal space. It is also typically expected that the home has an internet connection. Arrangements for food will be discussed in your consultation, but the Care Professional typically receives a weekly food allowance to purchase food for themselves. Live-in Care Professionals may cook and eat with their clients, or they may decide to do this separately, depending on the dietary requirements and personal preferences of everyone involved.

Residential care, often provided in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, typically involves a fixed monthly fee that covers accommodation, meals, and various levels of care and support, but provided in a group setting. On the other hand, a Live-in carer’s cost will encompass their wages, possibly accommodation and meals, but focuses solely on the personalised care they provide. While residential care might seem more convenient in terms of all-inclusive services, it can be considerably more expensive due to facility overheads, and care quality is not the same as the one-on-one support provided by a Live-in carer. Live-in Care Professionals offer a far more individualised and potentially cost-effective alternative, allowing the care recipient to stay in their own familiar environment. The most cost effective option will vary depending on needs and circumstances, so be sure to shop around different facilities and care solutions to find the one that feels best for you.