What is live-in care?
Live-in care is when a single care assistant resides with you in your home.
Live-in care offers continuous support for those with care needs, especially those with limited mobility or specialist needs. Live-in Care can offer peace of mind to loved ones who cannot be available to provide the support they would like to, while care assistants offer essential support to enable individuals to remain independent.
Live-in care is one of the best alternatives to residential care as it allows individuals to stay in their own homes. Remaining in familiar surroundings contributes to improved mental health, medical outcomes and will also help with overall wellbeing.
Above all else, live-in care is flexible to the needs of the individual. Every person is given a care plan which can be adapted and changed. The care plan will outline the essential requirements to ensure mental and physical wellbeing is prioritised every step of the way.
Is live-in care the same as 24 hour care?
Live-in care is another term for 24 hour care. By having your carer live in the same property, you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing that someone is always nearby should you have an accident or need assistance. It also offers flexibility over when you can access assistance.
While the carer may be available around the clock, they do not work all of the time and will be entitled to regular breaks and time off. This will be scheduled to ensure that you have access to care when you need it most.
For example, you might need the most help in the morning and during mealtimes. Or you might need assistance in the day to get out and about. Your care plan will take this into consideration and your carer’s time will be maximised to make the most of their availability.
The cost of live in care
How we compare against the care industry
| Centrally managed CQC regulated care companies | Unregulated companies | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation Compliance | Adhere to CQC's strict standards for quality and safety. | No mandatory adherence to any specific standards. |
| Staff Training | Staff undergo mandatory, comprehensive training. | Training may not be as thorough, consistent or exist. |
| Staff Vetting | Comprehensive background checks on all staff. | Staff vetting may not be as thorough. |
| Continuity of Care | Efforts made to ensure continuity of care. | Continuity may be disrupted due to staffing issues. |
| Client Satisfaction | Regular client satisfaction surveys inform service improvement. | Client feedback may not be systematically collected or acted upon. |
| Inspections | Regular inspections ensure consistent quality of care. | Lack of inspections can lead to inconsistent care. |
| Choice of Carer | Clients can select their preferred live-in carer, fostering a sense of comfort and trust in their care | Choice of live-in carers may not be available, potentially leading to discomfort or mistrust. |
| Participation in Care Planning | Clients can participate in care plan development, ensuring their needs and preferences are central to the care process. | Client involvement in care planning may be minimal, potentially leading to less personalised care. |
| Medication Management | Strict protocols for medication administration. | Medication management may be less rigorous |
What our clients say about us
Common reasons to choose live in care
Live in care for companionship
Live-in carers provide a service that goes beyond meeting your essential needs. They are also excellent companions that can prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness. Feeling lonely or depressed can aggravate health conditions and make it difficult to stay connected.
Your live-in carer will provide you with companionship and will also make it possible for you to remain an active part of your friendship circles and community. A live in carer can support you to attend community events away from your home or host a tea party or luncheon with your friends.
Why choose Cheriton Homecare?
We provide an industry-leading home care service that sets us apart from the competition. Our personalised approach to homecare will ensure you have access to the care you need, when you need it. We start by getting to know the individual before matching them with a care assistant who can meet their needs while offering excellent companionship and support.
The benefits of live-in care compared to residential care
| Live-in care | Residential care homes | |
|---|---|---|
| Personalised, One-to-One Care | With live-in care, your loved one receives the undivided attention of a dedicated live-in carer. a live-in carer can provide personalised care tailored to your loved one's specific needs and preferences. | Unlike residential care, where staff must divide their attention among many residents, |
| Comfort of Home | Live-in care allows your loved one to stay in the comfort and familiarity of their own home. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with conditions like dementia, who may find a change of environment distressing. In contrast, residential care requires moving to a new, unfamiliar setting. | In contrast, residential care requires moving to a new, unfamiliar setting. |
| Maintaining Independence | A live-in carer supports your loved one in maintaining their independence. They can continue their daily routines, hobbies, and social activities with the support of their live-in carer. | In residential care, routines and activities are often dictated by the facility's schedule. |
| Flexibility and Control | With live-in care, your loved one has the flexibility to dictate their own schedule and make choices about their daily life. | This level of control is often not possible in a residential care setting, where schedules are typically fixed. |
| Companionship | A live-in carer provides not just care, but companionship. They can become a trusted friend and confidante, providing emotional support and reducing feelings of loneliness. | In residential care, the high staff-to-resident ratio can make it harder to form these close, supportive relationships. |
| Greater Family Involvement | Live-in care encourages active family participation in the care process. Family members can visit freely, maintain close relationships, and be involved in care decisions. | This is often more challenging in residential care, where visiting hours may be restricted and family involvement in daily care can be limited. With a live-in carer, your loved one's care truly becomes a collaborative family effort. |
| Ideal for Couples with Different Care Needs | Live-in care is particularly beneficial for couples where one partner requires care. With a live-in carer from Cheriton Homecare, your loved one receives the support they need without disrupting their partner's lifestyle. | Unlike residential care, which often separates couples with differing care needs, our live-in care allows couples to stay together in their own home, maintaining their shared routines and enjoying their golden years together. |
| Enhanced Safety and Reduced Exposure to Others | live-in care offers a private, controlled environment. This minimises potential stress or discomfort caused by interactions with other residents, promoting a more peaceful and secure living situation | Unlike in residential care settings, where residents may be exposed to others with varying mental health challenges |
What does live in care include?
Live-in care will mean lots of different things to different people. We start with your daily preferences and routine and then build a homecare plan that provides the ideal level of support. Live-in care could include things like:
Meet our team of highly qualified carers
Our team is monitored by the Quality Care Commission, so you can be confident you’re getting expert care. We take the time to train each of our team members to ensure they have the skills and experience to provide effective and appropriate care. Our team can also undertake specialist training to address specific healthcare requirements that are unique to you and your situation.
How to get started with us?
If you’re interested in arranging homecare with us, the first step is to contact the team and arrange an assessment of care needs. This is a friendly, no-obligation chat where we will get to know you and your requirements. If you choose to continue then, based on the information gained a formal proposal for care will be created this is a rough outline of what we would expect regarding the level of need and the costs. If you think that this is reasonable and you accept this proposal then contracts would be exchanged.
When this has been completed then further assessments of detailed care needs will be carried out in order to establish a client specific care plan and any adjustments regarding the level of care that needs to be provided will be indicated.
we’ll then match you with available care assistants and where possible you can choose who you would like to have support you in your home. We’ll regularly review this plan to make sure it meets your changing needs.
