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 to help them live as independently as possible, whether it is 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, which enables them to stay in the comfort of their own homes.
Benefits of live-in care include the ability to maintain hobbies and interests, staying close to friends and family and otherwise allow people to live the life they want.
It could also be used for respite care, enabling a carer to take a break from looking after someone.
Receiving live-in care means that 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 that you have more control over your daily routines while having 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.
If you are elderly, it saves you from leaving the place you call home and have spent years collecting memories in.
It 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, which means that you will have a very intimate a personal relationship with the person looking after you.
Although the professional carer lives in your home, they are not expected to care 24-hours a day. A typical day may be broken up into work and downtime 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.
A live-in carer’s ultimate goal 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 and others may need short-term specialist services to help with specific health issues.
It should always be expected that the carer is fully trained and highly qualified and 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:
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 need.
This is an option for people with complex and specialist health needs who require 24-hour support and monitoring.
Specialist services can include:
Looking after someone around the clock is taxing and the care worker will need to have 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, access to WiFi and a TV if possible.
Their room should preferably be lockable, so they can safely leave their personal belongings and valuables.
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.
Because of the fees, it is important that the live-in care package is tailored to your individual needs, which can help you avoid paying for services that 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.
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 respect your privacy, house rules and wishes.
Another aspect 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 that you ensure the care worker has been fully Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked.
Also make sure that the provider is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or equal regulatory body in your country, such as the Care Inspectorate in Scotland.
Writing a checklist outlining your needs and questions to ask the provider can help giving you peace of mind and ensures you receive the home care services you need.
What are the benefits of live-in care?
Receiving live-in care allows you to continue to live in the comfort of your own home with all your needs taken care of. It can give you more control over your daily routines and takes away the stress and disruption caused by moving into residential care. Live-in care also enables you to maintain ownership of your home and keeping your beloved pets
