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Live-in care is a type of service where a professionally trained care worker moves into someone’s home full time to live with them and support their care needs. A live-in carer is able to look after the person 24 hours a day and assist with specific needs.
This helps people live as independently as possible at home. This includes helping with daily tasks, personal care or specialist medical care.
Some people choose live-in care as an alternative to moving into a nursing home or care home for a period of time. This enables them to stay in the comfort of their own homes.
Benefits include the ability to maintain hobbies and interests, staying close to friends and family and enabling people to live the life they want.
Live-in care can also be used for respite care as it can enable a carer to take a break from looking after someone.
What is live-in care?
Receiving live-in care means you will have someone else living in your house, much like a housemate or lodger.
Using a live-in carer as opposed to residential care means you have more control over your daily routines. It also gives you care and support on hand whenever you need it.
It allows you to maintain ownership of your home and stay in a familiar environment.
By using live-in care, you can avoid the disruption and stress of moving out of your home and into a care home, which can have a big impact on your mental health and wellbeing.
One-to-one service
Live-in care can save you from leaving the place you call home.
It also enables you to retain your lifestyle, as well as keeping your beloved pets.
It is important to remember that 24-hour care is a one-to-one service. This means you will have a very intimate and personal relationship with the person looking after you.
Despite the professional carer living in your home, they are not expected to care 24-hours a day. A typical day may be broken up into work and downtime which is based around your routines and preferences.
Most carers will work on average six to seven days a week for about 8-10 hours per day.
How much does live-in care cost?
Like any type of care, the costs are determined by your needs, the services required and the provider you choose.
On average in the UK, you can expect to pay at least between £900 to £1,400 per week, up to around £2,000.
It is important the live-in care package is tailored to your individual needs. This can help you avoid paying for services you do not need.
However, you may not have to pay full costs yourself. Depending on your savings, assets and income, your local council might contribute to some or all of the fees.
Additionally, people with complex health needs may have all their care funded by the NHS through NHS Continuing Healthcare.
For detailed information on live-in care costs and to find out what financial support you could receive for care at home wherever you are in the UK, see our paying for care at home section.
What does a live-in carer do?
The goal of a live-in carer’s is to increase the quality of life of the person being cared for, which is of course very individual.
Some people may only want companionship and help around the house. While others may need short-term specialist services to help with specific health issues.
You should make sure the carer is fully trained and highly qualified. They should provide a personalised service at all times.
A live-in carer should put your wellbeing first and take their time to listen to any wishes and preferences you may have.
Depending on your needs, common duties of a live-in carer can include:
- Help with getting out of bed in the morning and getting into bed at night
- Dressing and undressing
- Washing, bathing, showering and other personal care tasks
- Medication administration
- Continence management
- Support with mobility in the home and getting out and about
- Emotional support and companionship
- Hair and nail care
- Monitoring diabetes and blood pressure
- Shopping and errands
- Managing dietary and nutritional needs, cooking and meal preparation
- Cleaning, laundry and other daily domestic tasks
- Caring for pets
Live-in specialist care
Specialist live-in care services are often delivered by expert clinical nurses who have extensive experience in caring for your specific needs.
This is an option for people with complex and specialist health needs who require 24-hour support and monitoring.
Specialist services can include:
- Neurological care
- Spinal injuries
- Brain injuries
- Palliative and end of life care
- Home from hospital
What are you expected to provide for the live-in carer?
Looking after someone around the clock is taxing. This is why it is important that the care worker has their own space to retire to when they need a break.
You are expected to provide a safe, welcoming, comfortable and private room for the carer to live in.
Ideally, this means that the care worker’s room has nice furnishings such as a comfortable bed, a chest of drawers as well as access to WiFi and a TV if possible.
In addition, their room should preferably be lockable, so they can safely leave their personal belongings and valuables.
How do you find the right live-in carer?
When you receive home care, it is not just about the services provided and making sure that your health needs are met. It is equally important that the person caring for you is someone you get along with and respects your privacy, house rules and wishes.
Another important element is your budget. Home care can be expensive, so it is important to get it right.
To help you choose the right home care provider for you, read our detailed guide on how to find home care.
As you will have someone living in your home, it is paramount you ensure the care worker has been fully Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked.
You should also make sure the provider is registered with their care regulator.
Write a checklist outlining your needs and questions to ask the provider. This can help give you peace of mind and ensure you receive the home care services you need.
