Live-in care is becoming increasingly popular in the UK as it not only encompasses different types of care but can also be specifically tailored to the individual’s needs. From nationwide live-in dementia care to live-in respite care, there are a wide variety of care options available.
Live-in care is often the ideal solution for individuals who need extra support and help with daily activities in the home. A major advantage of live-in care is that people receiving this service can remain as independent as possible in the comfortable surroundings of home, with no need to sell up or relocate to a care home facility.
If this appeals to you or your loved one, read on to explore the benefits of live-in care and what this form of care involves.
What does live-in care involve?
There is a broad range of ways a live-in carer can assist your loved one, depending on their specific health needs. Whether an elderly person requires assistance with their morning and evening routines or simply wants companionship and someone on hand to facilitate their social engagements. Live-in care typically involves the following:
- Help getting out of bed in the morning, and into bed at night
- Assistance with personal care, such as bathing, dressing, and toileting
- Mobility support
- Facilitating hobbies and interests
- Transportation to and from appointments and social activities
- Help preparing and eating nutritious meals
- Light housekeeping
- Medication management
- Help with household administration
- Companionship and someone to chat to
- Running errands
For more information about live-in care, take a look at our in-depth guide.
Why choose live-in care?
Deciding on the right type of care is a completely individual choice. However, there are many common reasons why people opt for live-in care over other care services. Here are the most frequently mentioned motivating factors:
- Personalised one-to-one care
- Tailored towards an individual’s daily routines
- Keeping close to friends, family, and neighbours
- Maintaining social engagements such as classes and clubs
- Staying in the local community
- Remaining in the familiar surroundings of home
- Flexibility of care
- Easily adaptable care
- Companionship and stimulating conversations with a friendly carer
- Remaining as independent as possible
What are the different types of live-in care?
Live-in care is not one-size fits all, it is designed to support a wide range of care needs and personal preferences. Having a variety of types of care to choose from ensures that your loved one receives the most appropriate form of care for them. Here are some of the different types of live-in care available:
- 24-hour live-in care – 24-hour live-in care provides round the clock 24-hour assistance from two carers who exchange shifts, in order to fully support your loved one, day and night.
- Live-in respite care – When there is a gap in care, either because a family member or professional carer needs a break from their care duties for whatever reason, live-in respite care can be called upon, ensuring continuity of care.
- Disabled adults care – Live-in care for disabled adults offers improved quality of life for individuals facing the challenges of living with a disability. This form of care provides mobility and personal care support, but it also offers a social element and helps with confidence building.
- Live-in dementia care – In the early stages of dementia, live-in dementia care may not be required. However, as the condition progresses, the round-the-clock support of an experienced live-in dementia carer could make all the difference to your loved one’s safety and quality of life.
Where can I find a live-in carer?
Once you and your loved one have decided on live-in care, there are a few different routes to follow in pursuit of the perfect live-in carer. You could opt for an introductory agency such as Country Cousins, or choose a fully managed care service, or even enlist the help of a privately employed carer. The decision is up to you and depends on what option would be most appropriate for you and your loved one.
Introductory service
If you choose to opt for an introductory care service, such as Country Cousins, they will introduce you to the most suitable carers for your loved one. After choosing a compatible carer, the responsibility of managing care is handed over to you. An advantage to this type of care agency is that care can be flexibly adapted as needs change.
Fully managed care service
Fully managed care services take over control of an individual’s care. From the initial step of choosing a carer to managing their employment. Although this form of care service takes the responsibility of care away from family members, it also allows for less flexibility than introductory services.
Private carers
An alternative option is to go down the privately hired carer route. By advertising for a self-employed private carer, you and your loved one are responsible for finding, hiring, and managing the carer. This type of care is a suitable option if finding a carer is not a problem for you or if you already have a carer in mind.
How Country Cousins can help
Upon deciding that live-in care is suitable for your loved one, Country Cousins can help by answering any questions you may have about care and the right live-in care options for their needs. Live-in care provided by an introductory service puts you in touch with specially selected expert carers who can care for your loved one in a flexible and easily adaptable way.
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 nationwide 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 nationwide 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.
