Are Live-In Carers a Good Idea?

If you are looking for care options for yourself or a loved one, you have no doubt considered many possibilities. Traditionally, Care Homes have been the most common and well-known type of care for those who need assistance with daily activities. However, with the ever-changing healthcare landscape, more types of care are becoming increasingly popular. 

Today, we will explore one of the most personalised and unique types of care: live-in carers. We’ll discuss if opting for a live-in carer is a good idea for you or your family.

What is Live-in Care?

Live-in care involves a trained carer living in the home of the person needing care. This offers around-the-clock assistance and supervision, providing a comprehensive caregiving solution. The carer can help with various tasks, including personal care, medication management, household chores, and companionship.

Live-in carers are part of a larger team that helps to take care of the patient when the live-in carer is off duty or is away for any reason. 

What are the Benefits of Live-in Care?

Dedicated Care

With a live-in carer, the care recipient gets undivided attention and personalised care tailored to their specific needs. This can be particularly beneficial for those with complex health conditions that require constant monitoring. 

One-on-One Interaction

A live-in carer can provide one-on-one interaction, often lacking in care homes where staff has to divide their attention among multiple residents. This can improve the mental well-being of the person receiving care.

Peace of Mind

Knowing that a qualified healthcare professional is always there 24 hours a day offers peace of mind to the care recipient and their family members. This is particularly reassuring in cases of emergency or unexpected health issues or for those with declining health.

What are the Disadvantages of Live-in Care?

Finding the Right Person

Finding a live-in carer who is a good match in terms of personality, expertise, and reliability can be challenging. It’s crucial to conduct thorough interviews and background checks.

You can use services like us at Safehands to help find the right person with the right expertise for your unique case. We have ** years of experience helping match patients and carers for both live-in and standard care.

The Need for Space

A live-in carer will need their own space within the home. This may require adjustments to living arrangements and can be an issue in smaller homes. 

As a basic need, a carer needs a room where they can unwind and sleep whilst working. This means they need a clean, safe space fitted with a proper bed and wardrobes.

Costs

Live-in care is often more expensive than other care options due to the round-the-clock attention provided. It’s essential to consider if this option is financially sustainable in the long run.

This needs to be properly costed out before you jump into live-in care as if you are not careful, you could leave yourself short if you do not have the proper means to support the care.

Understanding Your Care Options

If you want to learn more about the care options available for you or your loved ones, our team of advisors at Safehands will be happy to help discuss the best solution for your specific needs. Just call our team at 01242 505415  or email us at enquiry@safehandshealthcare.co.uk, and a team member will get back to you promptly.