Health

Am I suitable for live in care?

There are many factors to take into account when deciding if you are suitable for live in care.  Whether it is something you may need just for a short time to help you after recovering from an accident, illness or hospital stay, or it is longer term to enable you to see out your days in your own home, you would need to assess what is best for you to ensure your needs are met.  

What IS live in care?

Live in care is there to help you manage the things you would otherwise have difficulty with, from personal and home care, through to varying degrees of medical care.  You will have one or more carers staying in your home and, time off aside, they will be there to care for you according to the level of service agreed and paid for. You will be able to choose carers that you feel will fit in with your life.

What do they need?

They will require a bedroom of their own, the role is often shared between two people to allow for cover and time off, they will not require a room each and will work on an agreed rota.  You will be able to choose the carers you feel will fit with you best.  

What can they help with?

There are many aspects of daily living that live in carers are fully trained to provide:

  • Personal care, helping you to wash, dress and manage personal hygiene
  • Cooking and shopping
  • Housework and garden maintenance
  • Managing the risk of falls and other risks at home
  • Caring for a pet
  • Trips out, such as to the doctor or hairdresser
  • Enabling you to enjoy hobbies and keep up with friends

 

As they live in your home, they will also provide what can be much needed companionship, someone to share a drink and conversation with.

The benefits

If you would find it difficult to make large changes to your life, in terms of your housing situation particularly, live in care can mean that you could continue to be able to live comfortably in your own home as you age.  If you suffer from dementia, having a live in carer can be the reassurance that both you and your family need to ensure that you remain safely supervised. 

Can I afford the cost of live in care?  

It is generally comparable to residential care costs, and for couples can be significantly less.  If your primary need is health care, then there may be funding help towards the cost.

You can find out more about funding from the Live In Care Hub (www.liveincarehub.co.uk), and since their ‘No Place Like Home report’ shows that 97% of people want to stay in their own homes as they grow older, live in care could certainly be one of the ways that meets the needs of the elderly.

Whether your needs are long or short term, this could be a good option to consider when you are looking into your options for later life care.