Complete guide to Live in Care

Live-in care – everything you need to know

What Is Live-In Care?

Live-in care is a type of full-time support where a professional carer moves into the home to provide assistance with day-to-day care and household tasks. It is a popular alternative to residential or nursing care homes, offering a more personalised, flexible solution that allows your loved one to remain in the comfort and familiarity of their own home.

Live-in care enables individuals to retain their independence, routine, and sense of dignity, while receiving one-to-one support tailored to their specific needs. It can also be a cost-effective option when compared with care home fees, with packages typically starting from around £1,225 per week.

For many families, choosing a care home can be an emotional and difficult decision. Live-in care offers a reassuring alternative, giving peace of mind that your loved one is receiving expert support without the need for upheaval or relocation.

What Does a Live-In Carer Do?

A live-in carer provides practical assistance, companionship, and clinical support depending on the individual’s needs. Their role can be wide-ranging and includes:

• Personal care – assistance with washing, dressing, grooming, and toileting

• Medication support – reminders or administration of prescribed treatments

• Mobility assistance – help with moving safely around the home, including use of mobility aids

• Meal preparation – preparing nutritious meals and assisting with feeding if required

• Housekeeping – light cleaning, laundry, shopping, and general upkeep of the home

• Companionship – offering emotional support and engaging in conversation, hobbies, and activities

• Liaison with healthcare professionals – ensuring care plans are followed and appointments are supported

All care is delivered with dignity, respect, and attention to detail, and care plans are tailored to suit the individual’s medical, personal, and emotional needs.

Who Is Live-In Care For?

Live-in care is ideal for individuals who need support but want to remain in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by familiar belongings, memories, and routines. It’s a flexible option suitable for a wide range of care needs, including:

• People living with conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s, or stroke recovery

• Individuals with vision or hearing impairments

• Couples who wish to stay together at home, even if they have differing care needs

• People currently in residential care who would prefer to return home

• Those receiving domiciliary (visiting) care but now require more consistent, one-to-one support

• Individuals being discharged from hospital, who need immediate, safe support at home

Transitioning fromDomiciliary Care

If your loved one is currently receiving home visits and you find that this is no longer sufficient — particularly if care needs are increasing or unpredictable — live-in care can provide a more continuous, reassuring alternative.

A live-in carer offers 24-hour support, tailored to daily routines, needs, and preferences. Many carers work on a four-weeks-on, one-week-off basis, with professional cover arranged during their time off to ensure continuity of care.

Leaving a Residential Care Home

Some families come to us after realising that residential care isn’t the right fit for their loved one. Often, the individual struggles to settle or simply prefers the familiarity of their own home. In such cases, we can coordinate with healthcare professionals to ensure a safe and supported return home, with live-in care arranged in advance.

Supporting Couples at Home

Being separated from a partner of many years can be incredibly distressing — particularly if one person moves into care. Live-in care offers a compassionate alternative, allowing couples to stay together, even when one or both have care needs.

In many cases, spousal support can be included in the care plan at a reduced cost, meaning the live-in carer can assist with light housekeeping or offer support to both members of the household — without the need for additional services.

Post-HospitalDischarge Care

If care needs to be arranged before discharge from hospital, we can help coordinate everything for a safe return home. A carer can even meet your loved one at the hospital to support the transition and provide reassurance from the moment they leave the ward.

Live-In Care Costs

Live-in care can be more affordable than many people assume. Costs vary depending on the complexity of care required, but as a guide, fees typically start from £1,225 per week, with no additional charges for weekends or holidays.

Costs may be higher if your loved one requires specialist support, such as for advanced dementia, complex mobility issues, or neurological conditions. In these cases, a carer with specific experience will be matched accordingly.

In addition to care fees, you should also factor in:

• A food allowance for the carer (usually around £30 per week)

• Home modifications, if needed — many local authorities offer grants of up to £1,500 for small adaptations, and potentially more if needs are significant

Funding Live-In Care

You may be eligible for financial support through a variety of routes:

1. Local Authority Funding

Contact your local council and request a care needs assessment. If your loved one qualifies, they may receive full or partial funding, which can be provided as direct payments — giving you control over how the funds are used.

Depending on the assessment, direct payments may range from £50 to £600 per month, with families covering any remaining costs.

2. NHS Continuing Healthcare

If your loved one has a chronic health condition and has recently been in hospital, they may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare. This is not means-tested and can cover the full cost of care, including live-in care.

2. NHS Continuing Healthcare

If your loved one has a chronic health condition and has recently been in hospital, they may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare. This is not means-tested and can cover the full cost of care, including live-in care.

3. Additional Funding Options

If you’re not eligible for public funding or wish to explore other financial routes, there are further options such as:

• Releasing equity from the home

• Downsizing

• Lifetime mortgages or home reversion plans

• Specialist financial products designed for care funding

We’re happy to guide you through these options and put you in touch with trusted, independent advisers.

At Response Care, we believe everyone deserves compassionate, professional support — and we’re here to help you understand your options and make informed choices.

Get more information on care funding

Families are often surprised at how affordable live-in care is. At most, people think because it’s one-on-one support, it’s a lot more expensive than residential care.

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you care pay for it. We’ve created four-step guide to follow and maximise the amount of money you’re entitled to. Find out more by hitting the button below.

Learn how to pay for care

How to Arrange Live-In Care

If you decide that live-in care is the right choice for you or your loved one, there are three main ways to arrange it:

1. Privately (employing a carer directly)

2. Through a fully-managed agency

3. With an introductory agency

Each approach offers different levels of involvement and responsibility. Below, we’ve outlined the key features of each, so you can make the choice that best suits your needs — and remember, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

1. Private Live-In Care

This route involves employing a carer directly, often someone you know personally or through a recommendation. It is sometimes chosen by families who wish to keep care within a familiar circle or who already have someone in mind.

Pros:

• Familiarity with the carer

• More flexibility around working arrangements

Considerations:

• Generally more expensive than introductory services

• Higher fees cover all aspects of care and management

• Ideal for families who want hands-off support with complete peace of mind

This option is best suited to those who would like minimal involvement in the administration of care.

2. Fully-Managed Live-In Care Agencies

A fully-managed agency takes care of the entire care arrangement. These providers are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and directly employ their carers.

What they offer:

• Recruitment, vetting, training, and DBS checks

• Carer pay, pensions, and employment entitlements handled for you

• Ongoing supervision and quality assurance

• 24/7 support from a care management team

Considerations:

• Generally more expensive than introductory services

• Higher fees cover all aspects of care and management

• Ideal for families who want hands-off support with complete peace of mind

This option is best suited to those who would like minimal involvement in the administration of care.

3. Introductory Agencies

(How Response Care operates)

As an introductory agency, we connect families directly with experienced, self-employed live-in carers from our carefully vetted network. This model offers a flexible, cost-effective way to arrange care while keeping more control in your hands.

What we provide:

• A tailored carer-matching service, considering personality, skills, and care needs

• Support with initial setup, care planning, and communication with local councils

• Access to a trusted network of experienced carers

• Ongoing support and guidance if your needs change

How it works:

• You contract the carer directly (with our support)

• You manage day-to-day care arrangements

• We’re available to help if circumstances change or extra support is needed

While we are not responsible for directing care once it’s in place, our team is always here to support you. Many families find this approach strikes the right balance between affordability and quality care, especially when cost is a key consideration.

How Response Care Works

We understand that inviting someone to live in your home is a big step. That’s why our carer matching process focuses on more than just experience — we consider your loved one’s personality, preferences, and values to find the right fit.

Here’s what to expect:

• Review your carer’s profile, including experience, qualifications, and a personal introduction video

• Meet the carer via Zoom before care begins, to ensure everyone feels comfortable

• Enjoy a trial week — no commitment necessary, and you’re free to cancel or switch carers with minimal notice if it’s not the right match

Our approach gives families both choice and confidence, knowing your loved one is supported by a carer who feels like a natural addition to the home.

Need Help Arranging Care?

At Response Care, we’re here to guide you through the process with compassion and clarity. Whether you’re exploring options for the first time or making a transition from residential care or hospital, we’re ready to support you with:

• Advice on care planning and funding

• Matching you with a carer who suits your specific needs

• Guidance on working with local authorities or NHS services

If you’re ready to explore live-in care, or simply want to talk through the possibilities, our team is here to help.

Live-in housekeeper

Live-In Housekeepers: An Extra Helping Hand at Home At Response Care, we understand that not everyone requires full-time personal care — sometimes, it’s just a little extra help around the home that can make all the difference.

A Live-in Housekeeper can be an ideal option for those who are still largely independent but would benefit from assistance with everyday household tasks. This service provides a friendly, reliable presence in the home, offering both practical support and companionship.

What Does a Live-In Housekeeper Do? A live-in housekeeper supports with:

Daily cleaning and tidying

Laundry and ironing

Meal preparation and cooking

Light shopping and errands

Providing company and reassurance throughout the day

This type of support is particularly well-suited to individuals with limited mobility, or those who may feel isolated living alone. Having someone there to assist with tasks and share conversation can greatly improve comfort, confidence, and quality of life.

If your loved one doesn’t yet require personal care but would benefit from support in maintaining their home and routine, a live-in housekeeper may be the perfect balance between independence and support.