What is live-in home care?

Put simply, live-in caregivers can offer professional around-the-clock assistance from the comfort of your own home. This service is customised to the specific needs of the individual in question, whether that’s helping with daily tasks like bathing and dressing for an elderly person with mobility issues, managing medications for someone with early onset dementia, or simply providing living support and companionship for younger individuals with learning difficulties, helping them to live more independently. Live-in caregivers are also there to support you (and your family) by giving primary caregivers respite.

The primary goal of live-in care is to improve or maintain an individual’s quality of life by allowing them to remain in a familiar environment while still receiving the care and companionship they need. This means sticking to routines and receiving personalised care that aligns with their own specific lifestyle and preferences from their own home.

Who needs live-in care?

There is a misconception that live-in care is only for the elderly. This is not the case. The truth is, live-in care solutions can cater for a range of individuals with different specific needs. Below we take a closer look at how live-in care packages can be used to help a broad range of different individuals:

• The elderly: Older adults who require ongoing help with daily activities or those managing chronic health conditions make up the majority of individuals looking for live-in care packages. This form of care allows them to stay in their homes, surrounded by familiar surroundings and memories.
• People with disabilities: Individuals, of any age, who live with physical or mental disabilities may require constant supervision and care. Live-in caregivers can provide this, enabling these people to live more independently and safely at home.
• Individuals recovering from illness or surgery: Individuals recovering from a serious illness or from major surgery may need temporary live-in care to assist with their rehabilitation process, regardless of age.
• People living with chronic/terminal conditions: Many chronic conditions make independent living very challenging. For people living with conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s, MS and even some forms of cancer, continuous care may be needed. Live-in caregivers are specially trained to help manage these conditions and provide the necessary support in a home setting.
• Primary caregivers in need of respite: Family members and friends who are caring for a loved one will, from time-to-time, need some time off. Live-in caregivers can step in and provide a much-needed break for family caregivers, while at the same time making sure their loved one continues to receive quality care in the home.

How live-in care works

Although the implementation of live-in care packages will vary depending on the care provider you use, most work in a fairly standardised way. Here at IP, the process begins with a thorough assessment. At this point, our experts will discuss your specific needs and preferences. This will usually involve talking about your daily routine, mobility level, any medical conditions, and the kind of companionship you desire.

Off the back of this assessment, a detailed care plan can be established. As the name suggests, this plan will simply outline the level of assistance required and explain how caregivers can provide the professional support needed to ensure your quality of life is maintained. For example, a care plan for an individual living with dementia may detail personal care tasks such as support with bathing and dressing in the home, medication reminders, meal preparation, and transportation to appointments.

Once the care plan is finalised, you’ll be presented with a list of potential caregivers whose qualifications and experience match your needs. You can then choose the carer who you want from the provided shortlist.

Finally, all that’s left to do is to ensure your live-in carer has their own private space within your home for rest and relaxation, and set a start date. It’s that simple. So, whether you or a loved one is an elderly person who requires additional support, someone with a disability, or an individual recovering from a serious illness, it’s certainly worth considering the benefits of live-in care.

To find out more, or to arrange a free care assessment, call us today on 0330 013 0451 or send us an email at hello@iphomecare.co.uk.