Live-in care and assisted living both support older people who need extra help, but they work in very different ways. Live-in care allows someone to remain in their own home with one-to-one support, while assisted living involves moving into purpose-built accommodation with care available when needed.
This guide compares the two options, including costs, independence and the level of support provided, to help you decide which may be the better fit.
What is live-in care?
| Feature | Live-in Care | Assisted Living |
|---|---|---|
| Where care is provided | In your own home | Purpose-built apartment or housing development |
| Support | One-to-one personalised care | Care available as needed |
| Moving home required | No | Yes |
| Pets | Usually remain with you | Depends on the provider |
| Daily routine | Your own | More structed |
| Best suited to | People wanting to remain at home | More independent older adults wanting community living |
An alternative to residential forms of care, live-in care services involve the carer moving into your loved one’s home to help with everyday tasks and personal care. For families comparing options, it also helps to understand what live-in care is before deciding on the right support. Live-in carers offer round-the-clock support and can be on hand to help in an instant due to the carer living on the property. Live-in carers usually work on a rota, often for two weeks at a time, ensuring that the best possible care is always provided.
Live-in care is often preferable to other forms of care as it supports the individual in living independently in the familiar and comfortable surroundings of their own home. Another advantage is that, unlike care in residential homes, live-in care is one-on-one, offering your loved one personalised care to suit their individual needs and specific health conditions.
This level of tailored support can be difficult to achieve in residential settings where care staff is responsible for multiple clients at the same time.
If you are also exploring how live-in care is arranged and delivered, our guide on What is a Live-in Care Agency? explains the role of an agency, how carers are matched, and what families can expect throughout the process.
What is assisted living?
Assisted living, also known as extra-care or supported living, provides the individual with a sense of independence in their own self-contained flat. Assisted living developments are typically designed for older adults, although the minimum age varies between providers and schemes.
With assisted living, residents may also benefit from 24/7 care, cleaning, laundry services and mobility assistance, depending on the amenities included. There are communal areas allowing residents to socialise together, as well as pre-arranged activities to fill the hours.
Moving away from home at any stage of life can be stressful and even more so as we age. However, if downsizing is part of your family member’s care plan, relocating to an assisted living apartment could be a possible option.
When deciding whether assisted living vs in home care is the most suitable choice for your loved one, their attachment to their home should be an important consideration to bear in mind.
However, it’s important to note that assisted living offers a supportive community environment, which can contribute positively to mental and social well-being. The organised activities and shared spaces foster a sense of camaraderie, potentially mitigating some of the challenges of transitioning from a private home.
What is the difference between live-in care and assisted living?
The main difference between assisted living and live-in care is that with assisted living, the person requiring care needs to move from their current home into an assisted living housing development. In comparison, live-in care can be delivered from the comfort of their own home without the hassle of selling a property and packing away a lifetime of belongings.
Whilst assisted living offers a higher level of privacy than traditional assisted living or nursing homes, there may be problems securing a spot in a nearby community. If this is the case, as demand may be high in your area, your loved one may have to move further afield.
Relocating to a less familiar area and increasing the distance between family members and friends may be a sticking point when choosing between in-home care or assisted living. Remaining in their own home with a live-in carer is the least disruptive option for the care recipient, which is especially important if they are living with health conditions like dementia, where a sense of routine and familiarity are important.
Live-in care vs assisted living
| Live-in Care | Assisted Living |
|---|---|
| One-to-one personalised support | Independent living with support available |
| Stay in your own home | Purpose-built accessible accommodation |
| Flexible care that adapts | Community activities and social opportunities |
| Stay close to family and pets | Secure environment |
The cost of assisted living vs in-home care
While costs vary depending on location and care needs, live-in care is often more affordable than many people expect. Assisted living costs can include accommodation, service charges and additional care, so it’s important to compare the total cost rather than the headline weekly fee.
Before making any decisions, it is important to research thoroughly and weigh up the potential total costs for your loved one’s individual care requirements. Our Financing and Funding Care Guide can help.
When is live-in care the better choice?
When deciding whether to opt for live-in care vs assisted living, you should consider your family member’s unique situation and the cost of assisted living vs in home care. Live-in care is the most suitable option for some, but not for all. Staying home would be the best course of action under the following circumstances:
Short-term care: Assisted living may not be suitable if support is only required for a short period of time, for instance, when overcoming an illness. Uprooting your family member this way could cause undue stress for such a short time.
Familiar surroundings: Assisted living may not be the answer if your family member has pets to care for and a home full of memories they cherish. Choosing live-in care enables them to remain in comfortable and familiar surroundings or their own home and stay with their beloved pets.
Daily routine: If your loved one has an active social life, friends and hobbies outside of the home, moving into assisted living may disrupt their weekly routine. Live-in carers can support their clients by driving them to social events and helping them to host friends and family in the comfort of their own home.
Care for couples: As well as being more economical, live-in care is a better solution for elderly couples needing assistance. With a live-in carer, couples can stay together in their own home with the support of one carer for both individuals.
To find out more about live-in care, download our live-in care guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you receive 24-hour support with live-in care?
A live-in carer lives in the home and provides day-to-day support, with arrangements made for breaks and overnight assistance where required. Care can also be adapted if needs become more complex.
Is assisted living the same as a care home?
No. Assisted living provides self-contained accommodation with access to support, while care homes offer more structured residential care with staff available on-site.
Which is more suitable for someone with dementia?
It depends on the individual. Many people living with dementia benefit from remaining in familiar surroundings with consistent one-to-one support, while others may be better suited to alternative care arrangements as their needs change.
Can couples receive live-in care together?
Yes. One live-in carer can often support a couple, allowing them to remain together in their own home where appropriate.
Why choose Country Cousins for live-in care?
As the UK’s longest-established introductory live in care agency, Country Cousins has been matching families with carefully selected live-in carers since 1959, helping thousands of people remain safely and comfortably in their own homes.
We tailor our live-in home care services to the individual requirements of our clients, which are entirely flexible as care needs change. The ongoing success of our live-in care service is due to our expertise in matching the right carer to each client and overall client satisfaction.
Here’s what some of our clients say:
“We have been using Country Cousins for over a year now. They are great. Our client relations lady is excellent. She takes the time to understand our specific requirements and matches us with carers that she thinks will work best. She is responsive and has made a world of difference to my parents’ care.
Thank you for all your help with organising their care. – James
How to arrange live-in care with Country Cousins
Simply call us today to easily arrange live-in care on 01293 224 706. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.
