Live-in care is increasingly becoming the most sought-after form of care in the UK. As the number of people opting for live-in care continues to rise, it’s important to understand why this service is preferred over other options and what makes it so popular.
The appeal of live-in care extends far beyond the basic premise of receiving assistance and support in the comfort of one’s own home. For many, it offers a personalised approach to care that is tailored to individual needs, ensuring a higher quality of life. Whether you are just beginning to explore care options or are seeking alternatives to traditional care homes, live-in care may be the ideal solution.
What is live-in care?
With live-in care, a well matched carer stays with your loved one in their own home in order to provide them with round the clock care and support. Live-in care is often a preferable form of care to residential or nursing home care as individuals can benefit from extra support while remaining at home surrounded by cherished memories and familiar surroundings.
Another advantage of live-in care is that it is a one-to-one service focused on the individual’s needs and preferences. With live-in care, family and friends can rest assured that their loved ones are receiving the best possible personalised care.
Whether an individual needs support with personal care and everyday tasks or they require complex care to help manage certain health conditions, live-in care can be adapted as needed.
For more information about live-in care, take a look at our in-depth guide.
Why do people choose live-in care?
There are many reasons why people choose live-in care over other care services, here are the most common motivating factors:
Couples care
Live-in care enables couples or partners to live together in the home they love all whilst receiving extra support and assistance. Live-in care for couples often works out as more cost effective than residential care or individual care services. One carer can manage the needs of both partners or multiple carers can work together if health needs are more demanding. Couples care not only allows couples to remain together, but also to stay with pets and close to other family members and friends.
Staying at home
A major benefit of live-in care is that there is no need for an individual to move out of the home they love. Not only can relocating be disruptive, selling the home they love can be distressing and a huge undertaking for an elderly person. Remaining in familiar surroundings is also beneficial for those living with health conditions such as dementia, as relocating could exacerbate symptoms such as confusion.
Independence
As we age, it is common to experience a decline in our sense of independence. However, this does not mean that we lose the ability to make choices about our daily routines, meals, and leisure activities. Live-in care offers elderly individuals the support they need while preserving their independence. This type of care is tailored to personal preferences, daily habits, and interests, ensuring that your loved one can continue to enjoy their hobbies and maintain their routines.
Family visits
Staying at home ensures that family members and friends can visit whenever they choose. A live-in carer can even facilitate these visits by tidying the home and ensuring your loved one is comfortable and ready to receive guests. Living at home also means that there are no time restrictions for visits, as care is organised around your loved one’s schedule and social commitments.
More benefits of live-in care
On top of the many common reasons why people choose live-in care, there are additional benefits to opting for this form of care. Further benefits of live-in care include:
- Personalised one-to-one care
- Maintaining daily routines
- Facilitating hobbies and interests
- Staying in the local community
- Remaining in familiar surroundings
- Flexibility of care
- Easily adaptable care
- Companionship and stimulating conversations with a friendly carer
The types of live-in care
Live-in care is designed to cater to a wide range of needs, ensuring that each individual receives the specific support they require. 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, night and day.
- 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. Not only does this form of care provide mobility and personal care support, 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?
There are a few different ways to go about searching for the perfect carer for your loved one. You could choose an introductory agency such as Country Cousins, or opt for a fully managed care service, or even go private. The decision is down to you and what option would suit you and your family best.
Introductory service
An introductory care service, such as Country Cousins, will guide you through the process and introduce you to the most suitable carers for your loved one. Once you and your loved one have settled on a compatible carer, you are in full control of managing care and can flexibly adapt care as their needs change. Unlike fully managed care providers, It is up to you and your loved one to manage their employment, pay, and daily tasks.
Fully managed care service
Fully managed care services organise your loved one’s care, from choosing a perfectly matched 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
Another route is the privately advertised 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 you already have a carer in mind.
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 require live-in care for your loved one, 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.
