Support while remaining at home
Live-in care is an arrangement in which a carer stays in the person’s home and provides agreed support during the day, with suitable private accommodation and proper rest breaks. It may be an alternative to residential care for some people, depending on their needs and home environment.
What can live-in care involve?
- Help with personal care, dressing and daily routines
- Meal preparation and household tasks related to the person’s care
- Companionship and support to attend appointments or activities
- Agreed medication support within the carer’s training and responsibilities
- Observation and reporting of changes or concerns to agreed contacts
Is live-in care suitable?
An assessment should consider night-time needs, mobility and moving-and-handling requirements, cognitive or behavioural support, the home layout and whether one carer can safely meet the agreed needs. Continuous waking-night or two-person support may require a different arrangement.
Plan the arrangement carefully
Agree the carer’s room and facilities, daily duties, rest breaks, time off, cover and handovers, emergency contacts and how changing needs will be reviewed. Live-in care should not be treated as uninterrupted 24-hour active care.
Further guidance
Read about short-term live-in care and the pros and cons of live-in care.
Discuss live-in care in London
Contact Kells to talk through needs, the home environment, assessment and availability.