Live-in Care: Stories of Success and Independence

Live-in care is an invaluable solution for families seeking to provide continuous support for their elderly loved ones whilst maintaining their independence at home.

Through a series of real-life examples, here we showcase how this care model has positively impacted individuals and their families.

Specialised Dementia Support: George’s Story

Sue’s father, George, was diagnosed with vascular dementia, leading to memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with daily tasks. Concerned about his safety, Sue explored various care options.

Initially, domiciliary care seemed suitable, with carers visiting throughout the day to assist with meals, medication, and personal care. However, this proved insufficient as George became disoriented when left alone. To address night-time needs, Sue hired a night carer, but the frequent changeovers prevented George from building rapport with anyone.

Sue then tried a live-in care service from another company, hoping for a more sustainable solution. Unfortunately, personality clashes between the carers and George led to friction, and Sue felt the company was unresponsive to her concerns about compatibility.

At her wit’s end, Sue discovered The Live In Care Company through a friend’s recommendation. From the outset, she felt relieved by their professional and attentive approach. The company took time to understand George’s individual needs and personality, ensuring a better match.

Transitioning from Hospital: Margaret’s Experience

Margaret, a lifelong Leeds resident, suffered from low blood pressure and was at risk of falling. After breaking both hips in separate incidents, she required a walking frame for mobility. Her daughter Sandra, living two hours away, sought a care solution that would provide constant support.

Initially, Margaret received two daily home care visits, later adding a night carer to prevent falls. Despite these measures, Margaret experienced another daytime fall whilst alone. Upon hospital discharge, Sandra arranged for alternating day and night carers, resulting in weekly care bills of around £2,500.

Seeking a more cost-effective and consistent solution, Sandra discovered live-in care through The Live In Care Company’s website. The service offered continuity of care, flexibility in contract lengths, and companionship, all at less than half the cost of their current arrangement.

To ensure compatibility, the company arranged a video call between Margaret and the potential carer. The selected carer’s proposed schedule of five weeks on, and one week off, aligned well with Sandra’s ability to provide cover during breaks.

Making Dreams Come True: Lily’s Wedding Adventure

Geoff and Pauline faced a unique challenge: fulfilling their daughter Jenny’s wish to have her 102-year-old great-grandmother, Lily, attend her wedding in Jersey. After being turned down by other care companies due to the short six-day booking, they found a willing partner in The Live In Care Company.

The company carefully matched Lily with a suitable carer who accompanied her to Jersey for the wedding. The carer was fully integrated into the family events, included in seating plans, and provided with transportation to ensure Lily’s comfort and safety throughout the festivities.

Both Lily and her carer had a wonderful time, with the carer feeling like part of the family. Lily felt safe and reassured, building a strong bond with her carer during the week-long celebration. Geoff and Pauline were grateful for the opportunity to have the whole family together, knowing Lily was well cared for throughout this special event.

The Case of Kathleen and Anthea’s Mother

Sisters Kathleen and Anthea initially arranged short daily visits from carers for their mother. However, as her needs increased due to fall risks and dementia-related memory issues, they realised a more comprehensive solution was necessary. Their mother’s desire to remain in her familiar surroundings made live-in care the ideal choice.

Key considerations in their decision-making process

1. Compatibility and Communication: they emphasised the importance of a carer who interacts well with the family and keeps them informed. Their current carer, Mavis, excels in this area, providing regular updates and demonstrating a good sense of humour.
2. Continuity of Care: the sisters highlighted the benefits of longer stays with the same carer, which Mavis provides, reducing the disruptions caused by frequent changes.
3. Personality and Skills: patience was crucial when dealing with their mother’s challenging moments. Additionally, the ability to drive and participate in activities their mother enjoys was a significant advantage.

Kathleen expressed appreciation for the live-in care company’s attentiveness and responsiveness. The team addressed concerns promptly and ensured a good fit between their mother and the carer. The company’s thorough vetting process provided the family with peace of mind.

The Profound Impact of Live-in Care

These real-life stories demonstrate the profound impact of live-in care on individuals and their families. From providing specialised dementia support and facilitating smooth transitions from hospital to enabling once-in-a-lifetime experiences, live-in care offers a flexible, personalised solution that promotes independence and quality of life for individuals in the comfort of their own homes.

By carefully matching carers with clients, ensuring open communication, and maintaining a responsive approach, live-in care companies can provide families with peace of mind and elderly individuals with the support they need to continue living life on their own terms.