Many families feel overwhelmed when confronted with arranging the care of a loved one. Learning about all the various care options available out there gives you a lot of choices to consider. But what type of care is best for your loved one?
Undoubtedly, this question and many more are probably the most common queries people have about care. Specifically, we explore some of the most common live-in care FAQs to help provide you with all the information you need to know about this form of care.
From the role of a live-in carer to the costs of live-in care, you may be pleasantly surprised by the advantages of this alternative to residential care.
What is live-in care?
Live-in care is fast becoming an increasingly popular choice of care, with many people enlisting the help of a live-in carer. Live-in care involves having a perfectly matched carer reside at home with your loved one, offering them personalised round-the-clock care and assistance.
Should your loved one wish to remain in the comfort of their own home whilst receiving extra care and support, live-in care is an attractive option. Unlike care home facilities, live-in care does not require your loved one to move or sell the home they love. Therefore, individuals can avoid the unnecessary distress and disruption of relocating and moving to a new environment.
Live-in care can also be tailored to suit your loved one’s specific care needs and preferences. As live-in care is a completely flexible form of care, the support given can be adapted in-line with your loved one’s daily routine or health requirements. There are many different types of live-in care available, from live-in dementia care, live-in respite care to 24-hour live-in care, depending on what level of support an individual requires.
What does a live-in carer do?
The day-to-day role of a live-in carer varies as everyone requires different levels of care and support. Whereas some individuals need more help with personal care, others may
require companionship and help getting out and about. With live-in care, the support received is totally up to the person receiving care.
In general, a live-in carer provides help with the following:
- Personal care, bathing, dressing, and toileting
- Cooking and meal preparation
- Light housekeeping
- Household administration
- Mobility support
- Maintaining an active social life
- Transportation to and from appointments and social engagements
- Medication management
- Arranging healthcare appointments
A live-in carer will follow your loved one’s waking hours and meal times to ensure that their day-to-day life is not disrupted. The carer will work in accordance with a customised care plan detailing your loved one’s daily routine, likes, and dislikes. This will help the carer offer personalised support, ensuring that you and your loved one are satisfied with the service.
What are the benefits of live-in care?
One of the most commonly asked live-in care FAQs is, “What are the benefits of live-in care?” Compared to other forms of care, live-in care provides individuals with a range of unique advantages. It is no wonder that more and more people are turning to live-in care as a viable care option for their loved ones.
Some of the benefits of live-in care include:
- Staying at home surrounded by cherished memories
- No need to relocate or put property up for sale
- Remaining in the local area with neighbours, friends and family living close by
- Round-the-clock care
- Tailored one-to-one care to suit individual needs
- Reduced risk of falls, injuries, and hospital admissions
- Maintaining hobbies and routines
- Companionship and having someone to talk to
How much does live-in care cost?
A commonly expressed concern and one of the top live-in care FAQs is how much live-in care actually costs. However, live-in care can be more affordable than you might first think. Live-in care is based upon personalised one-to-one care that would be considered an extra service in a residential care setting. What’s more, there are no accommodation costs to factor in.
When compared to the costs of care home facilities, live-in care offers a competitive and inclusive pricing structure. Care home facilities often bill their residents separately, stating individual costs for care, accommodation, and added extras. Variable fees can make the cost of care somewhat confusing to the family and the individual receiving care.
At Country Cousins, we have a simple, three-tiered pricing structure depending on the level of care your loved one needs. From standard live-in care to advanced care and even night support, our fees are transparent. We ensure all the costs of live-in care are agreed upon before any care commitments are put in place.
If you would like to find out more about live-in care costs, take a look at our guide to the costs of live-in care.
Where can I find a live-in carer?
There are a number of places where you can search for a live-in carer. From care noticeboards to care agencies, it all depends on the type of service you require and the level of responsibility you and your loved one would be happy to take on.
Introductory care agencies
An introductory care agency, such as Country Cousins, introduces your loved one to compatible carers. As introductory care agencies work with self-employed carers, after an appropriate and agreed upon match has been made, the management of the carer is passed to you and your loved one. However, this offers greater flexibility and autonomy surrounding the care your loved one receives. At Country Cousins, we are always there to provide outstanding customer service support should you require additional help along the way.
Fully managed care services
If you would rather hand over control and responsibility of a loved one’s care to an agency, a fully managed care service is a more appropriate route. With fully managed
care services, the task of finding, employing, and managing the carer is taken off your hands. However, there is a price to pay for a fully managed service, affording less flexibility and incurring higher costs than an introductory agency.
Private carers
Foregoing the agency route, you could also find a private live-in carer via a care jobs noticeboard or through word of mouth. When hiring someone you don’t personally know, it is important to draw up contracts and ensure that both parties know where each other stands. Hiring private carers means that you and your loved one will be responsible for background checks, hiring, providing employment contracts, taking out insurance, sick pay, and arranging respite care for when your carer is not available.
How Country Cousins can help
Country Cousins live-in care is a popular alternative to care home facilities and allows individuals to receive extra assistance all in the comfort of their own homes. For families, live-in care provides the reassurance that 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 or your loved one is considering live-in care, get in touch with us at Country Cousins today on 01293 244 706. 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. 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.