At Country Cousins, our live-in carers play a vital role in ensuring the well-being and comfort of those they support. Providing around-the-clock care and companionship, these dedicated professionals are committed to enhancing the quality of life for their clients.
This article offers a glimpse into the daily routines, responsibilities, and rewards of being a live-in carer, showcasing the compassion and dedication that defines their work. Join us as we explore a day in the life of a live-in carer at Country Cousins.
For more information about live-in care, check out our downloadable live-in care guide.
What is a live-in carer?
A live-in carer resides with your loved one in their own home to provide them with round-the-clock expert care and support. By being on-site, a live-in carer is always close by in case of emergency and on hand for general support throughout the day.
As part of the process, a live-in carer is matched with your loved one’s specific health needs and preferences. Matching the carer’s skill set to an individual’s requirements ensures that the individual receives expert care from an experienced professional.
In general, a live-in carer can provide varying levels of support to each individual as it is a personalised type of care. It is also flexible and adaptable to suit the individual’s care needs, and so a day in the life of a live-in carer can differ from person to person.
How many hours can a carer work in a day?
Live-in carers typically work up to 12 hours a day. However, they can also provide night-time or overnight assistance. In this case, two live-in carers exchange shifts. This makes sure that each carer does not work excessively long hours and can get the appropriate 11 hours rest period in between shifts. Enlisting the help of two carers in this way means that your loved one receives appropriate care and support 24/7.
What does a live-in carer do in the morning?
Typically, a live-in carer will start their day when your loved one does. Whether that means getting up as the sun rises or after a leisurely lie-in, fitting in with an individual’s daily routine.
If an individual needs help with getting out of bed in the morning, a live-in carer will be ready to assist. Before that, they may want a cup of tea or coffee in bed, if so, a live-in carer is on hand to bring a morning brew to their bedside.
After getting up, the live-in carer will help with personal care, from bathing, and toileting, to dressing, ensuring that your loved one is ready to start the day. The bed is made, laundry sorted, and general tidying carried out.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a morning routine without breakfast. A live-in carer can prepare a morning meal in line with your loved one’s dietary requirements or assist as a sous chef to help them prepare their own.
What does a live-in carer do in the afternoon?
Afternoon tasks may involve preparing lunch and tidying up afterwards. Following that, a live-in carer can facilitate any social commitments, and provide transport and accompaniment to community group meetings, appointments, outings, and tea with friends.
If your loved one has any indoor hobbies, such as handicrafts, a live-in carer can get supplies in and prepare the craft area. Your loved one can even be matched with a live-in carer with similar interests.
What are live-in carer duties during the evening?
In the evening, a live-in carer will provide friendly companionship or give your loved one space and personal time, according to their wishes. Live-in carers also help with the evening meal, tidying away the day’s clutter, and nighttime preparation. From personal care and help undressing to assisting with getting into bed, a carer can even offer a calming bedtime drink to help promote a good sleep routine.
A live-in carer will then, if required, be on hand to help with any nighttime wakefulness or another carer will step in to provide that service. The live-in carer’s working day will end, and they will go back to their private quarters to relax and sleep, ready and refreshed for the next day.
How Country Cousins can help
Country Cousins can introduce your loved one to a perfectly matched live-in carer who meets their health needs and personal preferences. Furthermore, live-in care from Country Cousins provides families with the reassurance that their loved ones are receiving round-the-clock care and support.
Over 400 families trust us daily to match them with the perfect live-in carer. You can depend on us to help you find the most suitable live-in care for your loved one. For more advice on choosing in-home care for your elderly loved one, check out our live-in care guide.
Talk to our team today
If you require live-in care for your loved one, get in touch with us at Country Cousins today. We are the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, having provided compassionate care to people in their own homes since 1959.
Give us a call today on 01293 244 706. should you have any questions about home care. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.
