Tips on finding suitable live-in care

How can you find the right live-in care? If you or a loved one need care around the clock, you may be thinking that moving into a care home is the next step. However, many people prefer to remain in the comfort of their own homes.

Live-in care makes this possible whilst also ensuring that care and support needs are met.

But having a professional carer move into your home to provide one-to-one support is a big decision.  

Remember that live-in care is not just about the services provided. It is equally important that the person providing care is someone you get along with. They must respect your privacy, routines, house rules and wishes. 

There may be plenty of care options in your area but finding the right care agency for you can be a challenge.

Here are some tips for how to find a live-in carer to suit you and your budget – whether you need elderly live-in care or specialist care services.

Work out your needs and preferences for live-in care

It is important to work out your needs and preferences. The more a care provider knows about you, the better they will be at matching you with with carers according to your needs and lifestyle.

This is particularly important for people with complex needs, such as neurological care or support following spinal or brain injuries, as you may need specialist care. Care providers will take into account your lifestyle as well as general interests to find you carers that you’re likely to get on with.

Be honest about your care needs, from intensity to how long you expect to have these needs. Your care needs are likely to change over time. You want to avoid a situation where your live-in carer suddenly does not have the skills to meet your needs.

If you are unsure of how much help you will need and with what, contact your local council for a Needs Assessment. Following the assessment, they will be able to offer advice and guidance and in some cases match you with a carer.

Stay within your budget

Although the cost of care is highly individual as it depends on the level of care required, it is important to point out that live-in care will take a considerable chunk out of your budget.

Live-in care fees start at around £900 to £1,400 per week, up to £2,000, depending on where you live and the level of care needed.

Because of this, working out your budget early will enable you to quickly narrow down your search. To assess which costs more, live-in care or a care home, click here

Depending on your financial situation, you may be able to get support from your local authority. For more information on ways to pay for care, see our Paying for care at home section.

Ensure the live-in carer has the right qualifications, skills and experience 

Make sure the person you choose as your live-in carer has the right skills and qualifications to meet your needs. Choosing someone that has cared for a person with similar needs is a good idea as they will have the experience necessary to understand your situation and what is required.

This is even more important if you or a loved one is living with dementia, your carer should understand the condition and know how to deal with the challenges that may arise.

Check references and conduct CRB/DBS checks

Make sure the provider is registered with the care regulator and has fully vetted their employees, before signing the contract. 

The carer will live in your home and have access to it 24 hours a day. It is vital you confirm the carer you choose is legitimate as you are entrusting them with your safety and security.

Ask the provider how they vet their care workers – do they interview them and conduct full Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and seek references before employment?

Arrange a trial shift from a live-in carer

Even if a carer seems excellent on paper, it is highly recommended to ask for a trial shift before committing fully. The carer will be around 24 hours a day and it is important that you get along and interact well.

A trial shift also gives you the opportunity to get a feel for who the carer is as they will always be unfamiliar at first. Sharing your home with an unknown person may be a struggle at first. It is important that it feels right and that a positive relationship can be built.

Agree schedule, time off and holidays

Live-in care is intense. Naturally the carer will need to take time off to go on holiday or simply because they need a break. Make it clear from the start when this would ideally be and how much notice you require before they take time off.

This will not only be important for you as the recipient of care but also for the care worker. Agreeing on a solution that works for everyone early is recommended to avoid any misunderstandings. It allows you to arrange the necessary cover ahead of time.

Live-in carers need breaks to ensure they can provide the best standard of care.

What is it like to be a live-in carer?

Aimie Nalukwago, who works at Access Care, has been a live-in carer for 15 years. She says: 

“For me, it’s not a job. I am so happy being around people. When I joined Access Care, I got that opportunity to be happy all the time because you build up trust and friendship.

“When you are living in someone’s home, it is always up to us to always ask what time will they want to wake, are they happy to take a bath today? Are you happy having your bath in the morning or afternoon? You are concentrating on that one person; they are getting all the benefits while you are getting to know them. With live in care you can really give them more time where they feel more comfortable, and they trust you.”

Ms Nalukwago used to work in a care home but finds that live-in care allows her to spend much more quality time with the person she supports. It also means she has greater personal responsibility for their wellbeing than if they lived in a care home, “because this is your client night and day. I know you still work with other teams such as social workers and families, but this is your responsibility”.

A critical factor when arranging live-in care is matching up the right people so that both the client and the carer is happy. Access Care looks at people’s hobbies, interests, education, family and background when setting up a good match for live-in care, then presents the client with options.

Compatibility is important

Ms Nalukwago says: “The client looks at your profile to decide if you are compatible. It has to work on mutual friendship. You have to ask yourself are you happy with that client and is that client happy with you? Because the relationship you build is the relationship which makes you want to work harder.

“It is a two way thing. I have to be happy and the client has to be happy.

“Once compatible, the hours are worked out between the client, family and the live-in carer to suit all.

“When you take on someone, they are your responsibility. You need to be there even after you have put your client to bed. You can’t just put them to bed and go to the pub.”

Ms Nalukwago stresses that being a live-in carer is not an easy job, but it can be a hugely rewarding one. “There are quite a lot of people searching for a live-in carer. If you are serious about becoming a live-in carer, you must have the passion. You can’t do this job unless you love it. It is not easy as some of us work from Monday to Sunday with only a two-to-three-hour break because you are part of their lives.”

You can also read Ms Nalukwago’s interview about life as a live-in carer.