When considering care options, you may wonder what a true day in the life of live-in care looks like. Understanding what to expect can help you determine whether this is a viable option for you or a loved one navigating increasing care needs and dependency.
Today, we’ll explore what a typical day in the life of someone receiving live-in care may look like. This could include routines, mealtimes, boundaries and daily support.
A Typical Day In the Life of Care at Home
It’s important to remember that there’s no ‘typical’ day of live-in care, as everyone will have different routines, requirements and personal preferences to take into consideration. Our team of compassionate Trinity Homecare carers will work with you to create a care plan that honours these unique factors, ensuring your live-in care is properly centred around you.
This may consist of specific morning, afternoon and evening routines that suit your lifestyle and ongoing conditions. As needs change, so will your care plan and daily routines to ensure you receive the best possible standard of care at all times.
What Might Your Morning Routine Look Like?
Starting your day with support from live-in care can help ensure you begin every morning on the right foot. Your live-in carer could wake you up at a certain time or with a cup of your favourite coffee ready and waiting. However you like to start your mornings, that’s how your routine will look with live-in care.
Live-in carers can help with anything you may find difficult, such as:
- Getting in and out of bed: Assistance with getting in and out of bed, moving around your home, and safely transferring between beds and chairs.
- Making the bed: Freshening up your sheets and leaving the bedroom looking tidy can be a job of a live-in carer.
- Daily routines support: A carer can help with everyday routines, such as getting dressed, bathing, going to the toilet and brushing your teeth.
- Cooking breakfast: Your live-in carer can support you by preparing a healthy, nutritious breakfast and tidying up once you’re done.
Lunch and Dinner Times
Breakfast doesn’t have to be the only meal your live-in carer prepares for you. They can also handle lunch and dinner, along with snacks in between. They will work with you to create a meal plan that suits your tastes and preferences, so you can look forward to meals while knowing they’re healthy and homemade.
A few things your live-in carer will consider include:
- Your dietary requirements: Carers should always prioritise your dietary needs and preferences, such as low-protein or gluten-free diets.
- Person-centred routines: You may prefer smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day rather than three big meals at set times.
- Your independence: Your carer should encourage and support your independence if this is something you wish, for example, by assisting with tasks rather than taking them over.
Will You Get Any Personal Time with Live-In Care?
A common worry about live-in carers is that they are around all the time, so you won’t get much alone time. However, this doesn’t have to be the case, as you’re in control of your routine. You can decide how often you see your carer and whether you want independence throughout the day.
For example, you could:
- Choose between eating meals with your carer or on your own, or only certain meals together.
- Set time for companionship, such as a few hours in the afternoon to enjoy a shared hobby like birdwatching or puzzles.
- Ask your carer to be left alone for an hour or two, so they can spend some time off in another room in case of an emergency.
Each day can be planned differently depending on your mood and needs, so there’s no need to worry about losing your independence and alone time. Trinity Homecare’s carers are all compassionate and respectful, so we understand the importance of personal space.
Everyday Changing Support
No two days are the same, and live-in carers can support this by listening to your wants and wishes rather than following a strict schedule. A big benefit of live-in support is that it can change instantly depending on the person, so you remain in control of your life.
You may wake up and want to try something new, such as visiting the beach or a new garden centre. Or, you may feel like staying in and watching your favourite TV show rather than going anywhere. Your live-in carer can support your daily routine in a safe, accessible way.
Live-in carers can support you by:
- Tracking your daily schedule: Your carer can keep your calendar up to date and remind you of appointments, social outings and scheduled events.
- Listening to you: You are in control of your schedule, so your carer should run each daily timetable by you to make sure you’re feeling up for it.
- Keeping loved ones in the loop: If you want, your live-in carer can update friends and family members on how you’re doing and set up times to see each other.
What Might Your Night-Time Schedule Look Like?
Live-in carers support you throughout the day and night, so they’ll also be able to help with your evening routine. Some people find this is when they have the majority of their energy, so you may have more social engagements during this time that they can assist with.
Alternatively, you may like to wind down at the end of a busy day with a warm drink, a good book or a TV show. Your carer can help get this ready for you before leaving you to enjoy some peace before bed. However you like to unwind, your carer is there to listen.
During the evening, your carer can:
- Prepare an evening meal or drink: You may want a sweet snack to end the day on, which your carer can assist with.
- Support personal hygiene: Your live-in carer can support you with bathing, shaving, brushing your hair and removing make-up before bed.
- Maintain your independence: A live-in carer can support you in living independently without interfering with your personal preferences and the things you enjoy.
Talk to us today
At Trinity Homecare, our ultimate goal is to enrich your lifestyle in the comfort and familiarity of your own home. This allows you to live the independent lifestyle that you love without the daunting thought of moving into a care home. We are here to support you with various forms of live-in care.
Call us now 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.
