Live-in care is a great resource for people who need additional support from a professional carer. Rather than having to move to a residential or nurse-led care home, you have the opportunity to stay surrounded by familiar comforts. Many find this an easier way to settle into round-the-clock care than uprooting their lives and moving.
But what do you need to do before welcoming a live-in carer into your home? Today, we’ll be exploring how you can prepare to welcome a professional carer into your home, including what they’ll need access to, insurance and more.
Providing a Comfortable, Private Space
A live-in carer needs space to sleep and relax between care duties. A carer moving into your house should have their own bedroom where they can relax and unwind. If a separate bedroom isn’t available, another private room, like a study or dining room, could be adapted for their personal use.
It’s important that the room you designate for your carer is completely private, meaning it’s not used as a walkthrough to another room. For example, if the dining room is the only way to get from the living room to the kitchen, then it’s not suitable.
There’s no need to redecorate the room beforehand unless it needs extensive repairs. As long as it’s comfortable, clean and has adequate heating and ventilation, it should be fine.
In terms of furniture, your carer will need a bed and enough storage space in the form of a wardrobe and a chest of drawers. A TV and a comfortable chair aren’t essential, but can make your carer feel at home.
Make Sure They Have Access to Bathroom Facilities
While it’s preferable to offer a live-in carer their own bathroom, it’s not always possible or necessary. If you don’t have a spare bathroom, you’ll need to provide clean and functional facilities that they can access at all times. This means it can’t be an en-suite off your bedroom.
If your carer will be using shared bathroom facilities, clean out a shelf or cupboard for them to store their toiletries. This helps it feel like their bathroom as well as yours, making the move easier and more comfortable for them.
Provide Internet Access
Live-in carers require constant access to the internet, so make sure you have a WiFi connection before the move-in date. Even if you haven’t had WiFi up until this point, it’s a requirement for many home carers. They’ll use it to update your care plan and logs with Trinity Homecare, along with other things.
They can also help you connect with family and friends through video chats and online messaging. This is especially useful if you live in a rural area where mobile signal is weak, as your carer will need constant access to emergency services.
Consider Their Cooking and Kitchen Facilities
Your carer will most likely be doing the majority of the cooking once they move in, so it’s important that they have access to a working, clean kitchen. You can choose whether you want your carer to eat with you or not, and if you choose the latter, create a comfortable place for them to eat their meals.
Your carer will use your cooking facilities for both of your meals, unless they have specific dietary requirements. If this is the case, they’ll usually provide their own cooking items and utensils–so you don’t have to worry. Clear out a cupboard and a shelf in your fridge so they have somewhere to store their food.
Ensure Your Home is Safe and Secure
While it’s your carer’s responsibility to keep you safeguarded at home, it’s also important that they feel safe and secure while they’re working with you. If your live-in carer feels unsafe in their working environment, they’ll have no choice but to leave.
Make sure all doors and windows are lockable, there is no severe damp or mould that could cause negative health influences, and ensure your carer’s living conditions are clean. They might also request a lock on their door for safety reasons.
Store All Important Information in a Safe Place
Your live-in carer will have access to your care plan, but you should still put all important information regarding medicine, future plans and healthcare team in a single folder. This ensures your carer has everything they need in one place, should they need to act quickly in a medical emergency.
Possible things to include could be:
- Personal and emergency contacts
- Medical contacts and information
- Daily routines and preferences
- Questions you’d like your carer to answer
If you’re unsure of what to add, you can always make this after your carer moves in. However, it’d be helpful if you could gather as much information on your condition and care requirements beforehand, so they can jump straight into providing excellent support.
Protect Your Carer with Insurance
Carer insurance is a specialised policy that provides financial and legal protection against risks associated with your live-in carer’s work. This covers both you and them for accidental injury or property damage, ensuring you’re both protected during your work arrangement.
You’ll also need to inform your home insurance provider that a live-in carer will be living with you, as this might affect the household policy. If your carer will need to drive your car when taking you to appointments or social activities, add them to your car insurance policy.
Consider Their Role in Financial Management
You might want your carer to handle household expenses and run errands for you, so you don’t have to leave the house if you’re not feeling up to it. If this is the case, consider how you want to manage this. Providing petty cash is a popular option, asking your carer to keep receipts and spending records.
Alternatively, set up a separate bank account to deposit small amounts of money into for your carer to use. Whichever option you choose, it’s important that you clearly outline your expectations once they move in, so everyone is on the same page in regards to the household finances.
Consider Housekeeping Requirements
Most live-in carers will help with light housekeeping, including dusting, vacuuming and cleaning, if you’d like them to. Decide what you’d like their help with and give them everything they need to easily and efficiently carry out the tasks.
For example, if you’d like help with washing dishes, keep clean gloves and sponges near the sink for only your carer’s use. If you require assistance with laundry and ironing, make sure your appliances are in good working order and your iron is rust-free.
Preparing Your Home for Live-in Care: A Checklist
Before your live-in carer arrives, make sure you or a loved one:
- Buy or borrow furniture: Find a comfortable bed and chair, chest of drawers and wardrobe for your carer to use as their own.
- Get their room ready: Thoroughly clean their room and furniture, and prepare the bed with fresh linens.
- Prepare bathroom facilities: Clean the bathroom and make space for your carer’s toiletries.
- Set up internet access: Make sure you have steady access to WiFi and it reaches all rooms your carer will frequent.
- Make sure the kitchen is usable: Clean the kitchen and appliances so it is safe to use before your carer takes over cleaning responsibilities.
- Ensure your home is safe: Replace locks that are no longer effective, check for health risks in the home and check all smoke alarms are in working order.
- Gather important information: Help them settle into their role as a live-in carer by organising medication and health details in an easy-to-read folder.
- Add them to the insurance: If your carer will be using your facilities and car, you must notify your home and car insurance providers.
- Set up a bank account: If you don’t want to deal with cash, set up a separate bank account with a debit card that your carer can use for day-to-day expenses.
- Consider your housekeeping expectations: Make sure everything your carer will need to keep your home tidy and clean is in good working order.
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 020 4572 5583 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.
