What is live-in care?
Live-in care describes care and support given by a professional carer who lives in the home of the person receiving care. This ensures that there is help on hand 24 hours a day if needed. The alternative to live-in care at home is usually a move into a residential care home.
For many people who need help from a caregiver, live-in care at home is a welcome alternative to residential care for many reasons. It avoids the disruption and upheaval of leaving a much-loved home, and fosters independence and freedom. Which also supports mental and physical health.
Here we explain the benefits of live-in care and who it is suitable for.
What are the benefits of live-in care?
The amount of support we need from others changes throughout our lives. We all need help at some point, and facing up to this can be difficult sometimes, especially as we get older.
When faced with changes to our health it can be a daunting and frightening time. Many people assume they will need to move into residential care if they are unable to cope at home, but most of the time this isn’t the case, and live-in care can be a wonderful alternative.
While a move to a residential care home can be the perfect solution for some, it can cause major distress and upset for others. Given the choice, the vast majority of people prefer to stay at home in the community they know, surrounded by the people and memories they love.
Here are some of the key benefits of live-in care:
Maintain independence and freedom – Remaining at home means you stay in control of your life. Keeping the routine and way of life that you love, instead of having routines imposed on you. From choosing what and when you eat to maintaining your hobbies and interests, staying at home means that you decide. The comfort and security of living in familiar surroundings are unrivalled.
Value for money – The cost of live-in care is often similar to residential care but with the additional benefit of personalised one-to-one care from a carer who you develop a close bond with. The costs are usually significantly cheaper for couples, and live-in care allows them to remain living together, which is often not possible in a care home setting. Other financial considerations include avoiding the potential stress of selling a family home and protecting inheritance for children and grandchildren.
Keeping connections with loved ones – Live-in care allows you to maintain your relationships with friends, family, neighbours and pets. Your loved ones can visit or stay with you any time, and you’re free to take holidays or visit loved ones whenever you wish. Maintaining a connection in the community we know and love is vital for mental well-being and quality of life. It also fosters peace of mind, both for the care recipient and for their family.
Help with daily tasks and domestic chores – Live-in carers do more than just take care of a person’s medical needs. They provide practical and domestic help on a daily basis, from doing cleaning and laundry to walking the dog and collecting prescriptions. Most daily tasks, errands and chores can be carried out by your carer if you wish. Having relief from the burden of domestic chores means you can relax and not worry about coping alone.
Support with health conditions – Live-in carers are professionally trained to a high standard. At Country Cousins, carers are matched to clients based on specific health needs, lifestyles and preferences. You will receive support from someone who is trained and experienced in the specific health condition that affects you. Giving you peace of mind that you are receiving the best care possible. Carers can administer medications, help with mobility issues and assisted transfers, and offer continence care or other medical support as needed.
Reduces risks and hazards – Research from the Live-In Care Hub shows people who enjoy live-in care at home suffer nearly 30% fewer falls than their care and nursing home counterparts, and 50% fewer hip fractures. Receiving one-to-one care ensures you get the personalised care and attention you deserve. Receiving live-in care also reduces your risk of infections, compared to a residential care home setting. This is due to the number of people living closely together. According to the Live-In Care Hub the rate at that people die of coronavirus in care homes and nursing homes is about 7,136 per 100,000 people. For live-in care, the rate is significantly lower at 1,482 per 100,000.
Quality of care – Live-in care at home gives you one-to-one personalised care, suited to your specific needs and wishes, something that cannot be matched by residential care. Getting continuity of care, 24 hours a day, from a dedicated carer means they get to know what you need and when. When live-in care is first implemented our team will collaborate with family and other health professionals involved in your care. This enables the highest standard of holistic care to be provided. Live-in care arrangements can evolve and be adapted to the changing needs of clients, creating a seamless care service. Whereas if a person’s condition worsens in residential care, they may have to move to a different care home that is specific to their needs.
Consistent companionship – Having a dedicated carer means that you get to develop a close bond. Many people comment that their carer becomes like one of the family – a trusted person they can rely on and confide in. The elimination of stress, vulnerability and loneliness cannot be underestimated in its ability to improve quality of life and overall happiness.
With live-in care at home, you’re free to enjoy socialising and outdoor activities with your carer, from a walk in the park to a shopping trip or coffee at your local cafe. With live-in care, there is always someone around to share life’s ups and downs.
At Country Cousins, we know how important companionship is to the success of a live-in care arrangement. That’s why we carefully match our clients and carers based not only on medical needs but also taking into account, lifestyle, hobbies and interests. Our Client Relationship Executives will use their expertise to find the perfect companion for you.
Who can have live-in care?
Live-in care isn’t just for the elderly. At Country Cousins, we provide care and support to adults with a wide range of needs. From convalescent care for people recovering from illness or injury, respite care to cover for existing caregivers, to supporting people with disabilities or those living with complex conditions like dementia.
We treat all our clients as individuals, with the dignity they deserve. We match carers to suit individual needs, lifestyles and preferences. No two people are the same, and neither should live-in care support.
If you’re considering live-in care for yourself or a loved one but are unsure what type of care is most suitable, get in touch with us today. We offer a free non-obligation enquiry service and are more than happy to give you all the information you need to make the best decision for your situation.
Live-in care with Country Cousins
Country Cousins is the U.K.’s longest-serving live-in care agency with over 60 years’ experience of matching experienced carers with those needing care in their own homes. We take care of over 500 clients every week in the comfort of their homes. We provide compassionate and professional care for the elderly, those convalescing at home, and disabled adults who need extra support to live independently.
Our compassionate and knowledgeable staff are on hand to serve you. Get in touch with one of our experienced team today on 01293227706 to discuss your live-in care needs, or make an enquiry online.
