What is live-in care?

When you first hear about live-in care, you might feel uncertain about what it involves. You could be exploring different care services for yourself or your loved ones and wondering if this is a good option compared to moving into a care home. Live-in care allows you to remain in familiar surroundings while receiving support around the clock. This often means having a dedicated carer staying in your home, helping you with personal care tasks and household chores, and offering emotional support whenever needed.

It’s natural to wonder whether live-in care can make life easier. In many cases, it helps older people stay connected to the community they know, keep up with their favourite social activities, and enjoy quality time with family and friends. This blog post will explore what live-in care means, what a live-in carer does, and whether live-in care is right for you or your loved one.

What does live-in care mean?

Live-in care means a dedicated carer lives with you in your home, providing a safe and comfortable home setting for you to continue your daily routines. This arrangement allows you to remain in familiar surroundings and keep your beloved pets by your side, so you don’t have to experience the disruption of moving into a care home. In many cases, this type of care service can help maintain a sense of independence. It also provides care support for those with complex care needs, such as dementia care or palliative care, without having to relocate.

Because you have a dedicated carer—that is, someone who devotes their entire time to living in your home and supporting you—you can access help day and night. However, it’s important to note that live-in carers also require rest. If you or your loved one has medical needs requiring ongoing night support (for instance, some dementia care needs), you may need a second care assistant to cover night shifts, ensuring everyone remains safe.

What are the benefits of live-in care?

Live-in care means you receive help around the clock without leaving the comfort of your own home. It’s a personalised arrangement that can simplify daily life and reduce stress for both you and your loved ones.

Stay in familiar surroundings

You get to remain in a place filled with cherished memories, favourite furniture, and friendly neighbours. This consistency can bring you peace of mind, especially when routines or the layout of your home offer a sense of security. Holding onto your personal space and possessions often reduces anxiety linked to big changes like moving into a care home.

Enjoy one-to-one attention

When you share your home with a dedicated care assistant, you have someone focused on your unique needs. You’ll never feel rushed if you need help getting ready for bed or scheduling an appointment. You’re always the priority, which makes care more adaptable to your day-to-day life.

Keep up the things you love

Live-in care allows you to continue your usual hobbies and social activities. If you enjoy a morning stroll or a weekly meet-up at a local café, you can continue doing so with reassuring support. It’s easier to pursue your interests when you have a reliable companion on hand.

Preserve independence and routine

You can choose when to wake up, when to eat, and how to spend your time. A live-in carer supports your schedule rather than imposing one. This flexibility helps you hold onto your sense of autonomy while still having practical help.

Receive discreet personal care

Live-in carers understand how sensitive help with bathing, dressing, or toileting can be. They’re trained to offer support in a respectful manner. Knowing you have someone you trust to help with personal routines can lift a heavy weight off your shoulders.

Build a genuine relationship

Over time, living with the same experienced carer fosters a strong bond. You won’t have a different face showing up each day, which can happen in some other care settings. Instead, you’ll share daily experiences, stories, and sometimes even a laugh over a cup of tea.

Reduce stress for family

If you have relatives who worry about you being alone or unsafe at night, a live-in care arrangement can ease their concerns. They’ll know you always have someone on hand for daily tasks or unexpected situations. This sense of security brings comfort to everyone involved.

Avoid moving costs and waiting lists

Care homes often have lengthy waiting lists and associated fees. With live-in care, you skip the wait and the expense of relocating. Your home becomes your personal “hub” of support, saving you both time and energy.

Companion for appointments and outings

Need to pop out for some fresh air or shop for groceries? A live-in carer can help you get around safely. They can also keep track of doctors’ visits, accompany you on errands, and assist with organising medications as recommended by your GP.

Support for pets and home upkeep

Many people worry about leaving behind beloved pets if they move into residential care. Live-in care lets you keep your furry friends close. Meanwhile, daily chores like dusting, laundry, or cooking can be managed by your carer, giving you more time to do what you truly enjoy.

Overall, live-in care isn’t just about covering practical tasks—it’s about giving you the chance to live each day in a way that feels right for you. You’ll have a helping hand close by, a sense of stability, and the freedom to keep the lifestyle you cherish.

What does a live-in carer do?

A live-in carer provides a wide range of care services to help you or your loved one manage everyday tasks while enjoying the comforts of home. Their main duties will vary depending on your specific care needs, but often include:

• Personal care tasks: Assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, and other sensitive personal care routines. They respect your dignity and encourage independence whenever possible.
• Household chores: Taking care of domestic tasks such as laundry, ironing, light cleaning, and grocery shopping. This can reduce the burden of maintaining a tidy home.
• Meal preparation: Preparing nutritious meals that suit your dietary needs, whether you have specialist conditions or just prefer certain foods. If your GP has suggested particular foods to support your medical needs, a live-in carer can help ensure you follow those guidelines.
• Medication reminders: While they can’t diagnose or treat, they can help you remember to take your medications and follow your doctor’s advice. This kind of care support can be crucial for older adults or people with dementia care requirements.
• Mobility assistance: Helping you move around safely at home or outside. This can be especially important for people with reduced mobility or who worry about falls.
• Companionship and emotional support: Many people find that having a friendly face around offers comfort, reduces loneliness, and provides quality time to talk, play games, or watch TV together.
• Attending appointments and social activities: A live-in carer can escort you to see your GP for advice, visit friends, enjoy social activities, or run errands in the community. This includes respite care support if family carers need a short break.

Live-in home carers follow care plans that are as unique as you are. They are there to help with day life tasks, provide emotional support, and ensure you stay as independent as possible in a comfortable environment.

Who can benefit from live-in care?

Live-in care isn’t just for elderly people. It’s designed for anyone who needs constant care at home due to age, disability, or different care needs:

1. Older adults looking for daily routine support: Many older people prefer to stay at home instead of going to residential care. A live-in carer can help them do that safely and comfortably.
2. People with complex care needs: If you or a loved one has specialist conditions that require consistent monitoring and assistance, live-in care could be ideal. It can cover dementia care, palliative care, and other forms of clinical care under the guidance of medical professionals.
3. Those with mobility or medical needs: If you struggle with walking, need help transferring from bed to chair, or face other physical challenges, a live-in carer can reduce risks and provide immediate support.
4. Elderly parents requiring companionship: Sometimes, the biggest worry is loneliness. Live-in care offers not just practical help but also a friendly, caring presence, ensuring your elderly parent has someone to chat to and share quality time with.
5. People who want to keep beloved pets at home: Residential care homes sometimes have restrictions on animals. Live-in care means you can keep your furry friends around for emotional comfort.
6. Couples with different needs: If one partner has a condition that needs constant attention, while the other is more independent, a live-in carer can tailor support to meet both sets of individual needs.

This wide range of possibilities is what makes live-in care so versatile. It caters to people with different needs and ensures each person’s day-to-day lifestyle is respected.

How to decide if live-in care is right for you?

Deciding on care can be challenging. Here are some pointers to help you decide:

• Assess your needs: Do you have complex care needs or different needs that would be difficult to address with periodic visits? If so, a live-in carer meaning continuous support might be beneficial.
• Consider your home setup: Is there a spare room where a live-in carer can stay comfortably? They need a private space to rest so they can provide quality care.
• Look at care costs: Care costs vary, so it’s important to weigh up whether live-in care fits your budget compared to a care home. Some find it more affordable than paying for a room or suite in residential care facilities.
• Think about emotional well-being: Having someone there 24/7 can offer emotional support, especially if you live alone or have minimal social interaction. This is often overlooked in other care providers’ plans.
• Weigh your privacy needs: A live-in care assistant offers personalised care, but it also means sharing your space. If that feels too intrusive, domiciliary care (visiting home carers) might be more suitable.
• Discuss with loved ones: Talk to your family about whether live-in care is a good option. Their insights on your day-to-day challenges may confirm if live-in care is the right path.

Ultimately, it depends on your personal situation, health, and specific needs. If you still feel uncertain, speak with your GP for advice about whether live-in care might be care suitable for you.

Tiggo Care's live-in care services

If you’re exploring live-in care and want a service that puts your well-being at the forefront, consider Tiggo Care’s approach. We prioritise a personalised support plan, so you or your loved one can maintain a comfortable environment at home.

Bespoke care plans

We understand that everyone has individual needs. That’s why our care plan is tailored to your preferences. Whether you require live-in assistance, overnight support, or help throughout the day, we’ll design a care package that fits seamlessly into your everyday tasks.

Collaborating with medical professionals

Our live-in carers cannot manage or diagnose medical conditions, but they’ll work alongside your GP for advice, as well as physiotherapists and occupational therapists. This ensures your recommended daily routines and medical needs are correctly adhered to.

Help around the house

When it comes to household chores, from light cleaning to meal preparation, our live-in carers are happy to support you. They can assist with domestic tasks, handle grocery shopping, and even schedule or escort you to medical facilities or other appointments.

Keeping you active and engaged

Our goal is to make life easier and more enjoyable. We encourage you to maintain hobbies, visit friends, and continue with social activities. If your loved one enjoys a certain pastime, we will incorporate it into their day-to-day schedule.

Support for specialist conditions

While we’re not medical experts, we can assist you if you have dementia care requirements, palliative care considerations, or other specialist conditions that require regular check-ins. We follow the instructions of your GP or relevant healthcare professionals to keep everything safe and consistent.

Compassionate carers

Our home carers are selected for their compassion, reliability, and previous experience in care work. They understand how crucial emotional support can be for older people or those dealing with complex care needs.

Transparent care costs

We believe in clear pricing. We’ll walk you through our fees so there are no hidden surprises, giving you peace of mind about planning your care works journey.

Compliance with the Care Quality Commission

As a reputable care company, we’re committed to maintaining high standards. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) checks our performance to ensure we deliver quality care you can rely on.

Conclusion

Live-in care can be a transformative step toward a happier, healthier, and more independent lifestyle. By choosing a care provider who focuses on meeting your specific needs at home, you can enjoy your best life while staying in the place you know and love.

If you believe live-in care is the right solution for you or your loved one, we invite you to reach out to Tiggo Care. Let us show you how our live-in care approach makes all the difference. Contact us for more information on how we can organise a personalised care service that ensures you remain safe, comfortable, and connected to the people and places that matter most.