Live-in care
Live in care is a great alternative to a care home for people who need support but would prefer to stay in their own home.
It is suitable for people mainly just looking for support with household tasks or companionship, as well as people who need greater support, such as people with dementia.
Live in care gives peace of mind to family members, knowing that round-the-clock support is in place.
There are many excellent live in care companies that are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Could you or a family member benefit from the 24 hour care from a professional, qualified live-in carer?
What is live-in care?
Live-in care is often thought of as the middle point between home care visits from a care worker, and moving into a residential care home.
With live-in care, you combine your home environment with one-to-one 24/7 support, and this is achieved by a care worker moving in with you full-time.
With this type of care, you get to keep your independence in the comfort of your own house which can mean staying with pets, family, or close to friends, and you benefit from having constant support. Companionship and comfort come together under your own roof
What do live-in carers do?
A live-in carer can support you in any way that helps you live life to the fullest. They are able to assist you in a personalised manner, which could include taking and managing medications, maintaining mobility, assistance with cooking, cleaning, personal and pet care.
A care worker can also support you in the day-to-day responsibilities and activities that are most important to you, and this could include hobbies, studies, work, socialising, travelling or shopping.
What different types of live-in care providers are there?
There are two main types of live-in care services provided. The difference impacts where responsibilities fall.
Introductory Service
This is when a care provider company matches a client with a carer based on their needs, but after this the company hands over responsibility to the client. The client is often responsible for various carer expenses and pay, and in the eventuality that the carer is unwell and needs replacement, the client would have to arrange this themselves.
Fully-Managed Service
In this case, the care provider company takes total responsibility for the continuation of care, quality of care, and client support. After matching client and carer based on client needs, you can rest assured that your carer will be replaced swiftly in an emergency, and also often benefit from the support of a regulated company.
How much does live-in care cost?
Live-in care costs vary with care provider, but generally will compare to similar service types like care homes. The principle behind live-in care is to be able to remain comfortably in your own home, so you do not need to sell it to be able to afford this.
For clients whose combined assets are worth over £23,250, the responsibility of the full cost of care becomes your own. If you currently live at your home, the value of it can’t be counted as an asset.
How much does live-in care cost?
Live-in care costs vary with care provider, but generally will compare to similar service types like care homes. The principle behind live-in care is to be able to remain comfortably in your own home, so you do not need to sell it to be able to afford this.
For clients whose combined assets are worth over £23,250, the responsibility of the full cost of care becomes your own. If you currently live at your home, the value of it can’t be counted as an asset.
How do live-in care costs compare to care home costs?
Care home costs are usually calculated by week, and estimates place average costs in England around £800.
24/7 live-in care is on average close to the same price, estimated around £900, but while it may seem more expensive from the outset, the client benefits from avoiding forced sale of their home, one-to-one increased care, and the flexibility of live-in care means that during carer holidays, a client’s family can step in and keep costs down.
Is any funding available?
Funding for live-in care is sometimes available. This might be through either the NHS, or via your local council.
In order to qualify, the council will need to make a financial assessment, and this factors in your combined assets. If you do qualify for live-in care funding, it can cover part of, or the whole of, your costs.