The Role of a Live-in Carer

When considering the types of care available to you or your loved one, you may consider whether live-in care is the best option. Everyone’s care needs are different, and some people consider live-in care to be too extensive or comprehensive for their requirements.

The best way to determine whether live-in care is right for you or not is to understand the role of a live-in carer. Today, we’ll explore what a live-in carer does, how they can help you, and who can benefit from round-the-clock professional assistance.

What Is Live-In Care?

A live-in carer is with a client all day and on hand to deliver personal care, help with household chores and support the client in the comfort of their own home. Above all else, a live-in carer is there to provide companionship and emotional support.

Common conditions that might require someone to need a live-in carer include dementia, frailty from old age, and disabilities such as cerebral palsy.

Each live-in care role is as unique as the client being cared for. The fact that the carer lives with the client usually means that their needs are relatively high, and therefore, a lot of support will likely be needed.

As the name suggests, a live-in carer lives in the client’s home. Although they live with the client all the time, a live-in carer does not work 24 hours a day and should have agreed-upon shifts and breaks.

What Does a Live-In Carer Do?

Live-in carers offer a range of services tailored to each client’s individual needs, preferences, and wishes. Tasks undertaken by a live-in carer include:

• Assistance with daily living tasks, such as dressing, bathing and oral hygiene
• Household chores
• Cooking meals and helping with eating
• Morning and evening routines
• Helping the client to move around the home
• Shopping and other errands
• Reminding the client about medication or, if trained, administering medication
• Caring for household pets
• Support their physical and mental well-being
• Liaise with other health care professionals
• Help with appointments and outings

Some individuals requiring live-in care may need more specialised duties. If this is the case, Trinity Homecare will work with you to match a fully-trained and experienced carer.

They may help with:

• Monitoring any changes in diet, weight, or cognitive ability
• Continence care, including catheter care
• Gastrostomy care, including PEG feeding, stoma and urostomy care

A carer should only be expected to perform tasks for which they are trained or have been agreed upon with the client.

Average Length of Assignments

A live-in care assignment can last anywhere between a few days to several months, sometimes even longer, depending on the relationship the carer has with the client. Most assignments will involve carers working on a rotational basis, typically for a few weeks at a time.

Your carefully matched carer will work with you to determine the length of their stay. For clients with lower care needs who may require companionship or assistance with tasks such as shopping or travelling to appointments, visiting care a few times a week may be sufficient.

Care needs often increase with symptom progression and age, making live-in care a more cost-effective and beneficial option for individuals. Live-in care can be short-term, such as support while recovering from surgery, or long-term for those living with complex or ongoing medical conditions.

Supporting a Client Round-the-Clock

The work of a live-in carer is entirely flexible, tailored to the client’s needs, and they will generally be expected to work when the client is awake during the day and requires support. At night, they will have their own room to sleep.

There may be occasions where they are also required to support during the night, but these shouldn’t be frequent or for extended periods of time. If a live-in carer is consistently woken up at night to support the client, then a night carer may also be required.

Staying in the Home

A live-in carer spends most of their time with the client in their own home, but this arrangement depends on the client’s specific needs and requirements. If the client is able, a live-in carer can support them in visiting friends, attending appointments, going shopping, visiting a place of worship or even going on holiday.

However, for individuals who are housebound or suffering from particularly debilitating conditions, a live-in carer would not be expected to leave the home unless they are on their break or running beneficial errands.

Managing Symptoms and Medication

Homecare workers should, in most instances, provide only limited assistance with medication management. Carers are often not trained in nursing care; however, some carers are qualified to deliver nurse-led care and can administer medication if specified on the care plan, provided they have been trained in its administration and are employed through a CQC-regulated company.

Typically, a live-in carer will simply need to remind the client to take their medication and assist them with repeat prescriptions. They can also monitor symptoms and liaise with other healthcare professionals to ensure the client is getting the correct and appropriate care.

Driving and Transportation

Not all clients require a carer who can drive, but it’s a common request of many. This is because clients may no longer be able to drive themselves, but will still be mobile enough to travel to appointments or will need a carer to run errands for them.

A carer can use their own car, the client’s car, or a leased car. If a carer is using their own car, they must have the appropriate business insurance in place. Alternatively, a carer can be included on a client’s insurance policy and drive their car.

Meal Preparation and Planning

Most of the time, the carer will buy and prepare a client’s meals for them. The cost of the food will usually be covered by the client. It is common for the carer and client to eat together, but this will depend on the client’s wishes. If the client and the carer do not share the same diet, then arrangements should be made.

A live-in carer can prepare nutritious meals according to the client’s specific needs and dietary requirements. They can help the client plan meals, buy the ingredients and cook throughout the day.

Accidents and Incidents

The procedures to follow in the event of an incident or death, whether expected or unexpected, will always be documented in the client’s care plan. If the carer has adhered to the care plan, then they will never be liable for any accidents, acts of self-harm, or death. If a client or their representative suspects acts of negligence or abuse, this will be reported to the agency, care provider, or relevant service.

Talk to Trinity Homecare Today

If your loved one requires home care, chat with one of our friendly care team today. We offer a free, no-obligation enquiry and assessment service and are happy to offer information and advice to help you find the perfect home care solution.

Call us on 0207 183 4884 in confidence for a free no obligation quotation. If enquiring outside of our opening hours, please complete our online form and we will contact you the next day.