The Live-in Care Company
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The Challenges of Elderly Live in Care

Live-in care can take time to adjust to. Elderly live-in care involves change, not only your loved one’s home but also to their living situation. It is important that the elderly person receiving the live-in care feels comfortable with this new situation, but, as with all change, this can take a bit of time. 

How a person adjusts to elderly live-in care will be dependent on the individual as well as the choice of carer. 

All live-in care companies should try to manage this by opting for a carer that meets the needs and personality of the cared-for individual. Live-in carers are also aware of the following challenges, which ensures they know how to manage any issues or problems that arise.  You can read more about how we approach our live in care services in our helpful care guide

Adapting Your Home

Elderly live-in care may require some adaptations to the home for the home to be suitable for a carer to live with the elderly person. A home may also need to be adapted for an elderly person following a fall or an accident. A bannister may be needed, for example, or additional bathroom rails to give extra support. A live-in carer can also help in addition to any equipment to ensure that older people can function safely and effectively within their own home.

What the live-in carer will need to live in the home of your loved one:

  • A personal room that is clean and fitted with a comfortable bed
  • Privacy (perhaps a lock on the door to the bedroom)
  • Access to a bathroom
  • Storage space for their personal belongings
  • Access to an internet connection

We’ve got a number of guides to help you and your relative prepare for their live-in care as much as possible:

How to Prepare for a Live-in Carer 

Adapting your Home for Live-in Care

Adapting to the change in living situation

Many older people benefit from routine and a sense of independence, which means it can be challenging for them to adapt to a new person living in their home, especially if this person makes them feel elderly or incapable. It is important that your loved one is familiar with the live-in carer and that they feel comfortable around them as they will be living together. 

As time goes on, the live-in carer and the elderly person usually find that they develop a bond. However, early on there will be plenty of changes to get accustomed to. 

It can be helpful to sit down with your loved one to talk about their concerns and any difficulties they may be having with the live-in carer and adjusting to the new living situation. You may then wish to speak with the live-in carer alone to reflect on these points and feedback on the aspects of your loved one that you think might be helpful for the live-in carer to know about. You might then try to bring everyone together for a chat and cup of tea so that your loved one can see you trusting in the live-in carer, which should help them to also feel more comfortable. 

Dementia and adapting to live-in care

If your loved one has dementia, then they may be affected by the change in routine and environment. With specialist dementia live-in care, he live-in carer will be equipped to manage any challenging behaviour and over time this should settle if it is a result of the new situation. You may wish to be on hand more at the start to reassure your loved one, however, if this is not possible then the live-in carer will be able to manage things but it may be a good idea to provide your contact number in case they have any questions. 

Many people considering elderly live-in care for a loved one may wonder if a care home would be more suitable. It’s important to consider all your options, so we’ve created some helpful guides to walk you through your options:

Making the Right Decision about Live in Care 

A Guide to Elderly Care Options

Live-in care agencies can help you work out how much a live-in carer will cost for your relative’s needs. This will vary depending on what area of the country you live in and it can also vary between agencies. Funding care can be a daunting task and the various options available can make it a confusing process in what might already be a stressful situation. 

Some support is offered from the local council and they will provide a financial assessment to see whether your loved one meets a certain threshold in terms of their assets and income. Authorities help fund care for those who have assets below a certain threshold. This threshold is £23,250 in England but higher in other parts of the UK. Care needs will be assessed separately and then if your loved one meets the criteria; they may be offered some support to pay for their care. You can still choose whether you want this care to be at home or in a care home, the council will just help you pay for what your loved one needs. 

Even if your loved one is not eligible for this funding, they may still be eligible for other benefits provided by the NHS. For instance, if they have long-term, complex care needs then they can be assessed to see whether they meet the criteria for NHS continuing healthcare. Their eligibility depends on their assessed needs. If these needs change then eligibility may also change so it is a good idea to be in contact with these funding bodies. Charities may also be able to help out but it can be more challenging to get support for longer-term care. 

If you or your loved one is going to fund the care then there are different financial options available to you. Our Elderly Live In Care Cost Guide talks more about funding options.

How can we help?

The Live in Care Company will help you to arrange live-in care in a hassle-free way. 

Our team will take the time to help you understand your options fully before matching you with a wonderful live-in carer. 

You may speak to us by calling 0118 449 2373, filling in an enquiry form on our website or contacting us at hello@theliveincarecompany.co.uk.

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