What is live-in care for the elderly?
Live-in care for the elderly is when a professional carer lives with you at home to provide round-the-clock care and support. This arrangement allows you to receive one-on-one care in the comfort of your own home, while also providing companionship and emotional support.
With our live-in care service, an experienced carer will provide a range of services in your home depending on your individual needs. This could include help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and grooming, assistance with mobility and exercise, medication management, meal preparation, and light housekeeping.
Our live-in care is bespoke and tailored to your unique needs so that you can keep enjoying life as you always have. Our care is highly adaptive, evolving as your needs change, but always remaining compassionate and dignified.
Why choose live-in care for the elderly?
Research by the charity Age UK reveals that the majority of us wish to remain in our own homes, living independently for as long as possible. Yet many people still regard relocation to a residential nursing or care home as the only option to receive care in their later years.
In reality, quality live-in elderly care is entirely possible even for those with specialist care requirements. Costs are typically comparable to those associated with residential care. Fully tailored to the needs of the individual, live-in care offers significant benefits over residential care. You or your loved one can continue living independently in the comfort and security of your own home, enjoy your favourite activities and remain part of your local community.
When should live-in care for the elderly be considered?
Live-in care for the elderly should be considered when an older person is no longer able to manage their daily activities and tasks independently. Here are some situations when live-in care may be a good option:
- When an elderly person starts having difficulty with tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and eating, live-in care can be a good option to provide practical care and support.
- People with chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, or mobility issues that may require specialised care and support.
- People at risk of falls, accidents, or injuries due to their physical or cognitive limitations that require assistance round-the-clock.
- Anyone who lives alone and feels lonely or isolated can benefit from having a live-in carer who can provide companionship and emotional support.
- Family caregivers providing care to their elderly loved ones may experience burnout and stress. Live-in care can provide respite and support for family carers, allowing them to take breaks and recharge.
What are the different types of elderly live-in care?
- 24-hour live-in care for when round-the-clock care is needed to ensure a person can continue to live well in their own home.
- Respite care can provide a family carer with a much-needed break from caring for a loved one, or can be used as an opportunity to see how live-in care works and whether it is right for you and your family.
- Short-term convalescent care following discharge from the hospital or for those needing post-operative rehabilitation or recovery from illness.
- Complex care of medical and specialist conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis can be supported with 24-hour home care.
- End-of-life care ensures a person’s needs and preferences are met until the very end of their life.
- Emergency care at home for those who need an urgent live-in care arrangement put in place following unexpected surgery, an accident or a sudden illness.
What are the benefits of elderly live-in care?
- One-to-one care and support around the clock – one-to-one care simply cannot be achieved in any care home.
- A uniquely developed, highly personalised plan of care designed to meet your care needs whilst addressing how you wish to live your life.
- Specialist and complex care are provided by highly trained carers delivered in the comfort of your own home. Familiar surroundings and routines are paramount in helping those living with specialist conditions, like dementia.
- Staying at home means you can keep control of your life, with all your treasured memories and possessions around you.
- If you have an adored pet, you will not be able to take this into a care home. With live-in care, you can keep your pet and the carer will support looking after it.
- Considerable and proven benefits to overall health and well-being, with much-needed peace of mind and reassurance for family members.
- The cost of care is comparable to that of a care home and considerably cheaper for couples.
- Continuing to be part of the local community you have loved, for what might have been many years.
What is included in our live-in elderly care?
Our professional carer will come and live with you in your home to provide you with round-the-clock care, companionship and support. They will provide a range of live-in home care services including:
Discreet and sensitive personal care
This can include the task-oriented aspects of caring for someone, like bathing and getting dressed, but also those that promote self-esteem, like having your nails maintained or your hair styled.
Companionship as and when you need it
Our carers will provide companionship whilst ensuring your privacy is respected. We ensure that a perfectly matched carer shares similar values and interests to make life interesting, stimulating and enjoyable. Our carers are also there to support your emotional and psychological needs.
Managing and administering medications
Our professional carers are trained in medication management and use an electronic medication system to ensure all medications are managed proactively and effectively. They will also collect prescriptions from the pharmacy.
Safe mobility in and around the home
We have our in-house Occupational Therapist, Jackie Cooper. She will provide guidance and expert advice as to what equipment can help improve safe movement and mobility around your home, whilst minimising falls. Jackie is well-placed to provide recommendations on home adaptations that aim to improve the way you live your life in your home.
Specialist and expert nurse-led care
We provide nurse-led care which means your live-in carer is trained to monitor and identify any changes in your health, responding appropriately and avoiding any unnecessary hospital admissions.
Uniquely our care teams are supported by our in-house Specialist Consultant Nurse, Dr Jane Pritchard. In addition to supporting our care delivery, Jane provides much-needed support to our clients and their families. We also have an in-house specialist Occupational Therapist, Jackie Cooper, who oversees any complex care with mobility and frail elements.
Award-winning and cost-effective
One-to-one live-in elderly care is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to obtaining residence in a care or nursing home. It avoids the need for upheaval, potential separation from a loving partner or treasured pet and the potential loss of freedom and independence.
Since 2009, The Good Care Group has provided award-winning and cost-effective live-in care for older individuals and couples. Our vision is to be the leading provider of high-quality care in the home that enables older people to enjoy staying safely and happily in their own homes and community for as long as possible.
Talk to us about your care needs
To talk about your care needs, contact one of our friendly advisors. Calls from landlines are free.