Choosing live-in care for your relative can feel like a life-changing decision. You may worry about the difficulties that come with having a carer living in your loved one’s home. Perhaps you’ve read frightening stories online or heard alarming anecdotes about live-in care agencies. While these problems are real, they can be resolved and they don’t have to define your home care experience.
This article explores five common problems with live-in carers and shows you how to solve them. Each section looks at a specific concern—from respecting daily breaks to bridging cultural differences—so you’ll understand what to expect, as well as how to make live-in care a positive experience for everyone involved.
All live-in carers in the UK are entitled to a two hour break of personal time each day. This time is vital for rest, mental wellbeing, and a chance to recharge. When this break isn’t respected, or when a person cannot be left alone because of complex health conditions, tensions can rise.
Understandably, you might worry about leaving your elderly relative alone or feel anxious about how to juggle care if your family member needs constant attention. However, carers also need regular breaks so they can continue to provide high-quality support.
Plan for breaks right from the start. Talk to your friends, neighbours, or other family members to see if they can pop in during the carer’s downtime. You can also organise care visits from a second carer if it’s too difficult to cover those two hours yourself. When you establish this arrangement early on, you avoid misunderstandings and maintain a positive partnership.
At Tiggo Care, we always emphasise the importance of rest periods. We can discuss strategies for ensuring daily breaks—such as scheduling short visits from a secondary carer—so everyone enjoys a supportive, sustainable setup.
Everyone needs a good night’s sleep, including live-in carers who handle physical assistance, personal care, and emotional support throughout the day. If carers are frequently woken up to help with toileting, medication, or agitation due to mental health issues like dementia or anxiety, they may never get the rest they need. Over time, this leads to exhaustion, mistakes, and a decrease in the standard of care provided.
Nighttime disturbances are more common than many people realise. Conditions like nocturia or mid-stage dementia can cause an older person to wake up multiple times during the night. Occasional wake-ups are part of the job, but if they become constant, the carer's wellbeing is at risk. Consistently interrupted sleep will take a toll on anyone, and live-in carers are no exception.
If someone you care about often needs help at night, you might want to organise visits from a waking night care assistant. Tiggo Care can help you set up this extra help so that your main carer is well-rested and ready to take on day-to-day tasks. This prevents carers from getting too tired, maintains a consistent and high-standard of care, and lets you and your loved one sleep better, knowing that help is always available.
Mobile devices have become essential tools for live-in carers. They’re often used to track medication schedules, update care plans, and log important observations about your loved one’s health. However, concerns can arise if carers spend too much time on personal calls, texting, or social media when they should be focusing on providing elderly care.
From your perspective, it’s understandable to worry about distractions. You might see your loved one’s carer on their mobile phone and wonder if they’re paying enough attention to personal care or domestic tasks. This can cause tension and might lead you to question your choice of care service.
Clarity is vital. At the start of any placement, discuss how and when mobile devices may be used. For instance, you might agree that the carer can take personal calls during their break or only use social media after hours. When it comes to essential job-related tasks, such as using an app to note medication or update the care plan, it should be clear that this usage is encouraged and not restricted.
Tiggo Care offers guidance and training to ensure our carers use mobile devices responsibly. We understand the importance of professionalism, and we also value practicality. By striking a balance, you can preserve your loved one’s personal space, maintain a high level of service, and avoid any misunderstandings around technology use in the home.
Caring for a person with certain health conditions—like dementia—or other cognitive impairments can sometimes involve difficult or aggressive behaviours. Without the proper skills or understanding, a carer may struggle to de-escalate tense situations. This can lead to frustration, which is counterproductive for both your loved one and the carer.
In recent years, families have increasingly sought informal live-in care arrangements for loved ones dealing with complex medical needs or mental health issues. However, not all carers are equally prepared to handle aggression, confusion, or mood swings. The stress can be overwhelming if they haven’t received adequate training in specialised care.
Professional live-in care calls for professional training. This is where Tiggo Care care stands out. We focus on equipping carers with tools and knowledge to manage challenging behaviours in a calm, compassionate way. That might involve learning redirection techniques, practising empathy, or having quick access to a GP for advice when something seems off.
It also helps if you share detailed information about your loved one’s specific needs, triggers, and preferences. By hiring carers trained in patient-centred approaches, you ensure better outcomes and lower stress levels for everyone involved.
Any relationship, personal or professional, relies heavily on communication. Families may feel anxious if a carer doesn’t communicate about changes in medication, mood, or mobility. Meanwhile, the carer might come from a different cultural background, which can shape their approach to domestic tasks, personal boundaries, or ways of interacting.
Sometimes, it’s not just about language barriers; it’s also about expectations. Some families want daily text updates or photos, while others prefer a weekly phone call. If you don’t clarify these expectations up front, misunderstandings can happen. This can be especially challenging if the elderly person has limited ability to express themselves.
Open dialogue is the key to bridging any gaps. Right from the start, specify how often and in what format you’d like updates. Highlight any cultural nuances or family traditions that matter to your household. At Tiggo Care, we encourage families to be explicit about their needs so carers understand what’s expected.
If cultural differences do come up, be calm about it. You can kindly show your carer what customs your family has, like certain ways of making meals or religious practices. You can avoid most communication problems and make things go smoothly for everyone if you build an environment of respect and understanding.
When done right, live-in care offers older people a comforting alternative to nursing homes or residential care homes. With the right carer, your loved one can enjoy nutritious meals, reliable support with medication routines, and help to maintain a familiar environment that simply can’t be replicated in a care home.
At Tiggo Care, we believe in focusing on each person’s specific needs rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. Our carers respect personal time, keep family members updated, and collaborate with you to ensure the best experience possible. If you’re ready to explore live-in care options, or if you’re worried about any of the problems mentioned above, we invite you to reach out. Our friendly team can help you find practical solutions that fit your loved one’s life and budget.
Ready to find out how Tiggo Care care can make a difference? Contact us today. Let’s work together to create a personalised care plan that ensures your loved one has the support they need within their familiar surroundings.
Although a live-in carer lives with your loved one 24 hours a day, the number of hours they work depends on the type of care your loved one requires. This is agreed upon before the care arrangement begins. On average, our carers work between 40-45 hours per week.
Live-in carers are entitled to daily breaks, sufficient sleep, and appropriate working hours. They also have the right to a safe and respectful working environment. At Tiggo Care, we ensure these rights are upheld, promoting a positive relationship between families and carers.
Yes. Tiggo Care provides live-in care services tailored to meet your loved one's unique needs. We can help clients with domestic tasks, assist with personal care, and even facilitate appointments with the GP for advice or other medical care providers.
Carers cannot treat or diagnose medical conditions. Similarly, they cannot assist with injectables or wound dressing, which are nurse-specific duties. However, carers can help your loved one adhere to medical advice provided by healthcare professionals.
Get in touch with Tiggo Care today to see how we can help you or your loved one.
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