A Relative’s Guide to Elderly Live-in Care

In this guide, The Live in Care Company look at all aspects of elderly live-in care for family members. From the costs involved, to what to expect and the types of live in care available, read on for advice and information from experienced live in carers.

This guide will cover:

Costs of elderly live-in care

What are the benefits of live in care?

Types of elderly live in care available

How live in care works

How do I find a live in carer for elderly people?

How we can help

Costs of elderly live-in care

Elderly live-in home care costs can vary greatly dependent upon the needs of the individual being cared for. Costs are also dependent on the area where the care will be provided and the care provider being used. A live-in carer costs roughly £900 per week and this can be around £1200 if the care provided is for a couple.

The cost of live-in care can seem overwhelming and you may find it helpful to talk to someone with regards to your financial situation.

The BBC has a Care Calculator which will give you some indication of average care costs in your area.

What are the benefits of elderly live-in care?

Elderly live-in care can have many benefits, particularly because your loved one can be in familiar settings, in their own home, and retain their usual routine. Often this is the preferred choice for your loved one, over a care home, because it allows them to be able to stay within their community, keep any pets they may have, and retain independence with seeing friends and family.

You can read our detailed guide on the benefits and reasons why people choose elderly live-in care here.

If someone has dementia or struggles with adapting to a new environment, then disrupting their usual home surroundings by moving them to a care home can cause psychological wellbeing to reduce, as reassurance can be lost. The benefit of live-in home help for the elderly is that the carer will come to your loved one’s home and adapt to their routine, removing the need for disruption.

In many cases live-in carers can also act as companions, which helps foster better wellbeing since loneliness is reduced. A professional carer can also support your loved one with their interests and hobbies and encourage them to continue with these where possible. The carer can also drive your loved one or accompany them on trips outside of the home, so as to keep them in contact with their friends, family and the local community.

Live-in carers have the advantage of being able to offer one-to-one tailored support. They work closely with your loved one and develop an understanding of the needs and support required, whilst being able to recognise areas in which independence can still be achieved.

Types of live-in care available

There are different types of elderly care services available, such as live-in care (carer lives within the home), 24-hour care (care provided at all times but the carers do not live within the home), overnight care (care only at night), respite care (care provision when a usual carer is away) and care for specific needs, such as grocery shopping or medication management.

Live-in care services describe those where the carer lives within the home of the person being cared for. This means that the carer will need to take breaks and have 8 hours to sleep within a 24-hour shift. This differs from 24-hour care, where usually two or three carers will share the 24-hour shift so that your loved one is cared for by a waking carer at all hours. You can read more in our Guide: Live-in Care vs 24-hour care.  A live-in carer has the benefit of building a close bond with your loved one, however, if you are concerned that your loved one needs support at all hours of the day then a 24-hour care package may be preferable.

There are different types of live-in care packages that are available for your loved one. You may need:

Hospital recovery care

This option is for people who may need support after an operation, accident or perhaps a fall. It can also be a suitable option for someone recovering from a stroke. Often carers will need to be trained in assisting with the recovery process, such as medication management and any postoperative care that can be undertaken by a non-medical professional. Carers can also help liaise with health care professionals and ensure appointments are attended. They can also help with the running of the home so that their client is able to focus on recovery.

Respite care

This option is for when the usual carer needs to take a break from their care duties, or perhaps to go on holiday. Live-in respite care replaces the usual care provided for a certain amount of time. The carers who do this are trained to handle emergency situations that may happen while the family/usual carer are away.

Long-term care

This is what might come to mind when you hear about live-in care. In this case, you have decided that a long-term carer is required to be with your loved one within their own home, to support them with everyday activities and duties. Live-in carers often stay with your loved one for weeks at a time, before they take a break and are replaced by a respite carer before returning to their care duties.

Short term care

Occasionally people may need short-term care and they may only need care for a few weeks at a time. The carer will help with normal household duties, along with personal care, medication for the client and other tasks if needed.

Palliative care

This is care that is given at the end of life. This care is provided 24 hours a day and may include family members who also stay to help keep their loved one as comfortable as possible. Live-in nurses or district nurses may also be present to help with medical needs such as ensuring your loved one remains pain free. Carers at this stage can help with household chores, personal care for your loved one, and provide extra support to alleviate stress from the family.

Companionship

This type of care is more about offering companionship, comfort, and assistance with everyday tasks, although some personal needs may be required. A companion may be asked to take care of shopping, cooking, and driving, along with assistance with caring for pets and paying bills.

How elderly live-in care works

Live-in care works by having a carer come into your loved one’s home to support them with activities and tasks that they are less able to do by themselves. You will be able to choose a carer who is able to manage the level of care needs that are required and you will also be able to choose a carer who you feel is a good fit in terms of personality. Often live-in care is preferable for elderly care needs since one can remain in one’s own home, whilst receiving companionship and one-to-one support.

How do I find a live in carer for elderly people?

There are many different ways to find a live-in carer. For example, you could place your own advert on a job board such as Indeed, however, you may find that finding a good carer in this way is stressful, time-consuming, and complicated.  Many people consider the ideal solution is to use the services of a live-in carer introductory agency. The company that you use should take the time to understand your own situation before they seek to match you to a live-in carer.

How we can help

For more information about how we can help you find the right live-in carer for you or a loved, one, speak to one of our expert team today. You can make an enquiry or call 0118 449 2373. Drop us an email at hello@theliveincarecompany.co.uk and a member of our team will get back to you.