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Around the clock care helps facilitate a better quality of life and comfort for many elderly and disabled people, however, some perceive it as being synonymous with the loss of independence. This is likely because those in need of consistent care generally move into a nursing home where staff provide assistance to a group of people throughout the day.

With up to 97% of older adults preferring to stay in their own home while receiving care, it’s no surprise that there is a somewhat glum perception of around-the-clock care.

However nursing homes and assisted living facilities are not the only option available for those who need long-term and consistent support. Live-in care makes it possible for a person to remain in their own home while receiving care.

A live-in caregiver is unique in the fact they will live in the home of the person in need of assistance while seeing that the necessary level of care is provided without upheaval and disruption to life.

Live-in care provides a solution that works for people who are faced with the question “what to do when in need of around the clock support?”

To help you make sure your home is safe and comfortable to receive 24-hour support at home, we’ve listed things to consider to ensure your home is suitable for live-in care.

A spare room

A spare room is a vital requirement if you are considering live-in care for yourself or a loved one. A live-in caregiver will move into the home and will be typically be expected to sleep overnight.

During their working hours (around 12 hours), a live-in caregiver will provide assistance for a range of different tasks. This can include bathing and getting ready in the morning, preparing healthy meals, prompting taking of medication or serving as a driver for appointments, outside activities or even shopping. What your live-in caregiver does is completely dependent on your care needs and wishes.

During the 12-hour period, caregivers are entitled to a two-hour break. This break will be coordinated with the person receiving care so it can be taken at the best time possible.

Live-in caregivers are excellent at being there when needed while also providing a person with space and respect. Having a private room available for your caregiver is the best possible way to keep this balance and make the arrangement comfortable and successful.

Family, friends, partners

Questions about current living situations are frequently asked by family, friends and partners. Changing a living arrangement in order to receive care, i.e. moving away from a partner or children can be heartbreaking. Unfortunately, it is a feeling many people experience once they have moved into a nursing home.

Often a nursing home or assisted living facility can be some distance away from families and friends. Busy life schedules and limited visiting hours can mean that the person receiving care will not spend as much time with loved ones as they would if care was delivered in the home.

For couples, it is often the case that only one person in the partnership requires care and will move into the care home, leaving a partner at home alone. This type of separation can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation for both individuals – with adverse effects on health.

The very purpose of live-in care is to facilitate independence. This means a person can continue living how they wish and with whom they wish. Not only does live-in care make it possible for a person to maintain close connections and ties in the community, it provides peace of mind for the family. The pressure of care is alleviated, giving couples and families more time to do the things they enjoy.

Pets

If pets are a large part of your life, the question of what to do with a pet when full-time care is required can be extremely difficult to resolve. Some care provision will require the beloved pet to be re-homed. This is a reality that can take its toll on a person’s emotional well-being and physical health.

Unlike other full-time care options, live-in care supports a person’s choice to have a pet in the home, providing complete assistance with pet care. Live-in caregivers are trained to ensure the pet is well looked after in one’s own home, carrying out a range of pet care tasks such as:

• Taking pets out for or assisting with walks or outings
• Purchasing pet food and other items they require
• Monitoring the pet’s health and taking them to vet appointments
• Providing regular feeding and water
• Keeping the home safe and clean for everyone – including the pet

Will you be comfortable?

Your comfort is the number one priority, therefore, it’s important to consider whether you will be happy with the significant change. Many elderly people who have lived alone for a great number of years may find the idea of now sharing their home a little daunting, however soon discover the relaxing and worry-free benefits of 24-hour care in the home

A live-in caregiver job includes companionship aspects as well as health and clinical care. The one-on-one nature of live-in care often creates long-lasting friendships and bonds between a caregiver and a client.

Live-in care providers go to great length to match caregivers and clients. These organizations take time to understand the personalities and lifestyles of both individuals. For instance, a person who does not eat meat or fish may be best suited for a live-in caregiver with the same dietary choices. Your caregiver will also typically have a shared passion. This could be for anything from an interest in gardening or music to a love of baking and cooking giving you both plenty to talk about.

Live-in care companies pay close attention to these small factors as they are the details that make a person feel completely comfortable, safe and happy with live-in care in the home.

Source: The Good Care Group is a live-in care provider based in the United Kingdom.