Live-in care is growing in popularity as an alternative to a residential care home, enabling elderly people to stay in their own home but with professional, round the clock care you would expect from a care home.
Live-in care means having a fully trained carer living with you in your own home to meet all your needs, such as help around the home, washing, dressing, cleaning, gardening, shopping, collecting prescriptions, helping with your medication and meal preparation. It also provides companionship and supports the elderly in continuing to live their lives with as little disruption as possible.
Elderly people may need support with conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, stroke recovery, post operative and respite care.
Personalised Care in the Comfort of Home
Live-in care provides comfort and security. The elderly individual can live independently in their own home which has many benefits including staying in a community that they are used to, the comfort of being in their own home and being able to stay with their pets. Parting from much loved pets when moving to a residential care home can be very distressing. It leads to complications such as who is going to look after their pet when they are living in a care home. Many animals must be given away to rescue homes.
Live-in care is also a huge advantage for couples as not only can they stay together and won’t be separated, but there is significant cost savings as it is much more cost effective to pay one full time carer in their home than it would be to pay for dual residency in a care home.
All these factors help towards health and wellbeing both mentally and physically.
Comprehensive Support and Assistance
Live-in care includes a personalised plan, based on the individual needs and partnerships with the individual and any health care professionals that are supporting the individual.
Live-in care provides packages tailored to the personal needs of the individual. They will usually receive a home visit where the Live-in care provider will complete a thorough assessment of their needs and work in partnership to devise a support plan that reflects their chosen lifestyle and routines.
The care provider will match the elderly individual with a Care Worker who shares their values, lifestyles and interests to ensure they develop a great relationship from the outset.
There are many benefits to staying in your own home, especially for people with conditions such as Alzheimer’s, dementia and Parkinson’s as these conditions already have their own challenges for an individual and moving to a Residential Care Home could exacerbate these.
Enhanced Quality of Life for the Elderly
Live-in care means that the client gets the support they need to live how they want. This helps to mentally stimulate the individual who can still feel in control of their own destiny and make their own decisions.
A safe care home ratio is one care worker per four residents per shift. With Live-in care, you have access to one-to-one personal care and attention which is unrivalled by care homes.
The flexibility also allows relatives and friends to visit at any time without the hassle of fitting around scheduled visiting hours.
It provides reassurance to the family that they are safe in their own home with a dedicated carer therefore eliminating the stress for the family and loneliness for the elderly person.
They can continue to enjoy their surroundings, garden and community with the relief of domestic chores and upkeep.
Cost-effectiveness of Live-in Home Care
Live-in Care is, in most cases, more competitive to a Residential Care home. You pay a set fee per week which is determined by the amount of specialist support you need. And as mentioned, Live-in Care for couples is far more cost effective than both people living in a Care Home. You can get more information on how to fund your Live-in care.
Independence and Dignity for Seniors
The outstanding benefit to Live-in care is that the client can maintain their independence that most care homes are unable to offer as they have more people to care for at one time. Mealtimes in a care home must be scheduled but with a Live-in carer, you can choose what time you want to get up and go to bed, what time you want to eat and what you would like to do with your day.
Flexibility and Comfort of Home Care
Live-in care is flexible. The care and support are delivered on a case by case basis. It can be a long-term plan or short-term option such as respite or post operative care.
There are several reasons why an elderly person might want to stay in their own home as an alternative to care homes. Live-in Care provides the option to remain in your own environment and has many benefits over a Residential Care Home including independence, comfort, security, quality of life and much more.
Book a free assessment with one of our care experts.
Live-in Care compared to Residential Care Homes
| Live-in Care | Residential Care Home |
| A dedicated live-in care worker matched especially to you and working only with you. | An onsite team that works on rotation. |
| Fully flexible – choose how to spend your day, every day. Truly person-centred care. | Residents largely live by the routine of the facility. |
| Live in the comfort of your own home and community, supported to maximise your independence. | Move into your own room personalised with your belongings with full use of communal facilities. |
| Choose what and when to eat. Your live-in care worker prepares or helps you to prepare favourite meals and special diets. | Special dietary requirements will be met, but otherwise residents eat set menus at set times. |
| Enjoy full companionship or more privacy with support constantly at hand. | All staff will have open access to your room 24/7 to attend to your support needs. |
| With support from your live-in care worker, your pet will be looked after and remain by your side. | Pets are unlikely to be accepted in care homes. |
| Comparable to residential care but with undivided attention and complete choice and flexibility. | Usually an all-inclusive rate covering accommodation, food, bills and activities. |