Practical help and companionship at home, shaped around your choices, routines and interests.
Country Cousins has introduced people across the UK to live-in carers since 1959. We take time to understand the support you need and your preferences for someone sharing your home.
We are an introductory agency. We introduce you to self-employed carers. You or your representative agree terms directly with your chosen carer and oversee day-to-day support. Country Cousins does not manage or supervise the care delivered.
This arrangement suits people who have the support needed to manage care directly. If you want provider-led care management and supervision, ask about fully managed care through our sister company, Trinity Homecare.
What is live-in care?
Live-in care means a carer lives in your home and provides agreed help with everyday life. Depending on your needs, this includes personal care, meals, household tasks and companionship. Support should encourage your choices and participation.
For some people, a suitable live-in arrangement offers an alternative to moving into a care home. Others need visiting care, a managed service or a residential setting. The right option depends on your wishes, needs, home environment and available support.
A carer living in your home does not provide continuous care for 24 hours. Working hours, breaks and overnight requirements must be agreed before support begins. Arrange additional help for any periods when support is needed and the carer is unavailable.
What does a live-in carer do?
The tasks agreed with your carer should reflect your needs and their relevant skills and experience.
Depending on suitability, support includes:
- Washing, bathing, dressing, shaving and oral hygiene.
- Toileting and continence care.
- Preparing meals and drinks, with agreed help at mealtimes.
- Medication reminders and agreed help with collecting prescriptions.
- Prompts for daily tasks, appointments and routines.
- Mobility assistance within the agreed role and the carer’s skills.
- Light housekeeping, shopping and agreed errands.
- Companionship, hobbies, social activities and outings.
Medication reminders are different from administering medication. Explain the exact help required before an introduction. Support involving hoisting, specialist equipment, catheter-related tasks, complex moving and handling or clinical tasks needs a specific suitability discussion. These tasks are not automatically included in a live-in arrangement.
Carers should share concerns about changes they notice with the person or representative overseeing support, in line with the agreed arrangements. Everyday observation does not replace clinical assessment or professional advice.
Working hours and overnight needs
A live-in carer needs regular breaks and time to sleep. Agree working hours, rest periods, any overnight assistance and how additional cover will be arranged.
Frequent waking, regular night-time assistance or continuous supervision requires additional planning and potentially additional carers or a different service. Tell our team about these needs before choosing an arrangement.
Live-in care for elderly parents
Families often explore live-in care when a relative needs more everyday help. A suitable arrangement supports personal care, meals, routines and companionship while helping the person continue activities they value.
Involve your relative in decisions and agree who will oversee support. Families living farther away should consider how they will manage changes, concerns, carer breaks and absences.
Read about care at home for more information about support and choosing a suitable arrangement.
Why choose Country Cousins for live-in care
alongside routines, personality and interests when identifying suitable matches.
You decide whether to proceed with a proposed carer and agree the terms directly. Our team explains the introduction process and discusses further matching options when needed, subject to availability.
If support is urgent, tell us about the circumstances and any immediate risks or gaps. We will discuss the earliest suitable options. A start date depends on your needs, carer availability and completion of the arrangements.
Read our guide to introductory and fully managed live-in care to compare the responsibilities involved.
Nora’s story: staying social and independent with arthritis
Arthritis made some of Nora’s daily tasks more difficult, but she wanted to continue her social activities, including bridge and Women’s Institute meetings.
Her live-in carer, Pearl, learned her routines and helped with dressing and preparing for outings. Support fitted around the activities Nora wanted to continue.
Live in support for different circumstances
We discuss suitability for each person rather than assume a diagnosis or situation determines the care needed.
Depending on individual needs and available carers, introductions support:
- People living with dementia who need practical help and companionship.
- Family carers seeking respite, with suitable alternative support agreed.
- People returning home after a hospital stay or operation, where the arrangement fits their discharge and support needs.
- Couples who want support while continuing to live together.
- Adults living with a disability who need help with everyday life.
Explain any overnight, specialist or complex needs at the start. A managed service or other professional input is more suitable where needs exceed the introductory arrangement.
Download our live-in care brochure to explore the service.
How we match you with a carer
We consider:
- Support needs, including personal care, mobility, communication and overnight requirements.
- Relevant skills, training and experience for the agreed tasks.
- Routines, appointments and social activities.
- Personality, hobbies, interests and pets.
- Location preferences, availability and assignment length.
A suitable carer is not necessarily based nearby. Tell us which preferences matter most so we understand your priorities when discussing options.
Three steps to arranging support
1. Talk to us
Have a confidential conversation about your needs, your home and what you want support to help you do. We will explain the introductory model and discuss suitability.
2. Share your requirements
Provide details about routines, tasks, preferences and any concerns. We will explain registration, fees and the matching process, then discuss suitable carers for you to consider.
3. Agree and begin support
Once you choose a carer, agree terms directly, including tasks, working hours, breaks, fees, overnight requirements and the start date. Confirm accommodation, food, household expenses and arrangements for absences or changes.
Live in care costs
The total cost depends on your support needs, the carer’s experience and the arrangements agreed. Ask our team for current pricing and a full breakdown before committing.
Check the registration fee, ongoing agency fee, carer fee, travel expenses, bank holiday rates and any overnight charges. Budget for your usual household costs, agreed accommodation and food for the carer, and any additional cover.
Your self-employed carer invoices you directly. Agree payment terms in advance. Country Cousins explains its own fees separately.
Read our live-in care cost guide. For advice about financial support, contact your local authority or NHS services to explore assessments and eligibility.
Frequently asked questions
Training and experience vary. Discuss the skills needed for your agreed tasks and ask about relevant training and experience when considering a proposed match. Our selection process includes reviewing evidence of experience and professional development.
You decide whether to proceed with a proposed match. We discuss suitable options according to your needs, preferences and carer availability. Talk through expectations before agreeing the arrangement.
Assignment length depends on the carer’s availability and the terms agreed. Plan breaks and changes in advance. Country Cousins will discuss alternative introductions when needed, subject to availability. Agree who will arrange interim support if required.
Country Cousins introduces and matches self-employed carers. You or your representative contract directly with the chosen carer and oversee day-to-day support. A fully managed service places care management and supervision with the provider.
Tell us if you need urgent support. The earliest suitable start date depends on your needs, location, carer availability and completion of the arrangements. We will discuss available options rather than promise a fixed start time.
One live-in carer needs rest and agreed breaks. Frequent night-time help or continuous supervision requires additional planning. Discuss overnight needs before a match is made.
You or your representative should review the arrangement with the carer and seek appropriate professional advice. Contact Country Cousins to discuss further matching options or whether a managed service would better meet your needs.
Talk to Our Team Today
As the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, we have been providing compassionate live-in care to those who need it since 1959 – all from the comfort of their own homes.
Give us a call today on 01293 224 706. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm & Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.
Reviewed by Barbara Baig, Head of Quality and Continuous Improvement. Wednesday 14th October 2026.
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