If you have an elderly loved one who needs support, you may be wondering, “What is a live-in care agency?”
A live-in care company provides personalised one-to-one live-in care delivered in the comfort of the client’s home. The needs of the individual are met by a carefully matched professional carer who is experienced in the client’s care needs, wishes and preferences. This is exactly what Trinity Homecare, a multi-award-winning live-in care company, does so well.
At Trinity, we understand that live-in care needs vary from person to person, and we approach each individual’s care with this in mind. From 24-hour care to specialist condition-led care, couples care, companionship care and respite care, our trusted and quality-assured care services provide the best quality live-in care to your loved ones.
What is live-in care?
Live-in care is a type of home care that enables elderly people to receive care and support, all in the comfort of their own homes. With live-in care, a carer lives in the home of the elderly individual and can provide personalised, one-to-one care catered to the individual’s needs.
Live-in care with Trinity includes:
- Personal care (such as washing, dressing, supporting morning and night-time routines)
- Medication management
- Helping with tasks around the house, such as cleaning and cooking
- Facilitating social engagements
- Providing companionship
When choosing Trinity to arrange live-in care, we carefully select a carer who will suit an individual’s personality and lifestyle to develop a personal bond. Not only should a live-in carer be able to provide physical care and support, but they should also be a good fit personality-wise. This ensures the person receiving care receives emotional support and companionship from a well-suited carer.
Opting for live-in care with Trinity gives you access to a professional carer who lives with you in your own home to provide full-time care whenever you need it. Live-in care is a welcome alternative to residential care homes since your loved one can continue living life as they always have, with minimal disruption to their daily routines.
A live-in carer supports the individual, allowing them to be independent, stay connected to friends, keep pets, and maintain hobbies and daily activities.
For more information on what a Trinity live-in carer can do for you or your loved one, take a look at our in-depth live-in care guide.
The different types of live-in care
Live-in care is not one size fits all because all our clients are individuals and so are their personal circumstances. Offering a variety of live-in care services is important as we understand that each individual has their own specific needs and preferences.
Therefore, live-in care should be flexible in its approach and personalised to suit the requirements of your loved one. Live-in care with Trinity can include the following forms of care:
- Overnight care: supports the individual throughout the night, such as going to the toilet, changing position in bed or administering medication.
- 24 hour care: offers the family peace of mind and the reassurance that their loved one is cared for around the clock.
- Complex care: a specialist carer experienced in a specific health condition can provide much-needed support to those with a long-term health condition such as dementia.
- Respite care: provides a break for a primary carer, allowing them to have some time to themselves to rest and recharge.
- Postoperative care: offers emergency care following a hospital stay and may include support with medication management and recovery plans.
What does a live-in care company do?
A live-in care company is the go-to care provider should you need a personalised and comprehensive care service for your loved one.
Live-in carers provide one-to-one assistance with daily activities, health monitoring and importantly, companionship. As a leading live-in care company, Trinity Homecare provides a personalised approach to care, ensuring that your family member’s unique needs are met.
So, exactly what is a live-in care provider and what do they do? Let’s examine the roles and responsibilities of live-in care companies in more detail.
Care assessment and planning
We carry out thorough assessments to understand the unique needs and preferences of each individual needing care. Together with the client, family members and any healthcare professionals, live-in care companies such as Trinity work to develop personalised care plans tailored to the individual’s needs and goals.
So, what do these care plans look like? Each care plan is unique and describes what your family member needs from their care and details how these requests will be met. It’s not set in stone. A care plan is a living document, designed to be flexible and adapt to changes in circumstances, needs and preferences. With time, care needs often change, and a care plan reflects this.
Caregiver matching
Carefully selecting carers based on their skills, experience, personality and compatibility with each individual’s needs and preferences should be a top priority for a live-in care company. At Trinity, we carefully select a carer who will suit your elderly loved one’s personality and lifestyle in order to help develop a personal bond.
Comprehensive care services
We offer a wide range of care services designed to support clients with various needs. This includes assistance with personal care tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming and help with toileting. Live-in carers also provide support with medication, help with mobility and assist with light housekeeping tasks to maintain a safe and comfortable environment—anything an individual needs to live safely and comfortably in their own home.
Health monitoring
Live-in carers get to know your loved one’s circumstances and can provide updates on their health. Should any changes be noticed, a live-in carer can communicate with the individual’s healthcare team and family, ensuring they receive appropriate medical attention and support.
Companionship
Often a major concern amongst the elderly, live-in carers can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and anxiety by providing companionship and emotional support. Carers can help your loved one stay mentally stimulated with conversation and engaging in their favourite hobbies.
Continuous quality improvement
Trinity Homecare is committed to delivering the highest standards of care. We continuously seek to improve our care services. The best live-in care companies regularly seek feedback from clients and their families to achieve the best possible bespoke service.
A live-in care company such as Trinity Homecare plays a vital role in delivering personalised, compassionate and high-quality care services. By upholding high standards, you and your loved one can have confidence in the support they receive to live comfortably and independently at home.
Types of live-in care companies
It is no surprise that live-in care providers vary throughout the care industry. By learning the differences, you will better understand what service you will receive when choosing live-in care for your loved one.
CQC Regulated Fully Managed Care Companies
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is England’s independent regulator of health and social care services. For the best possible care, it is recommended to seek out the services of a CQC regulated, fully managed care agency. Knowing that an independent regulator is monitoring health and social care services offers a great deal of reassurance to the families of those needing care.
By leaving your loved one in the care of a CQC regulated, fully managed care company, you are guaranteed that the level of care meets industry standards. Every aspect of the company is analysed to ensure that the safety and well-being of individuals in their care is respected.
Once registered, each care company is regularly inspected and rated so that you and your family can clearly see the level of care and service offered. Choosing a fully managed care company such as Trinity Homecare, which the CQC rated as ‘Outstanding’, will ensure that you and your elderly loved one receives the best possible care and support.
As you can expect, a fully managed care company takes complete control of organising and delivering care. Unlike introductory care agencies, fully managed care companies are responsible for paying salaried care staff, who act on the company’s behalf. A fully managed care company handles all aspects of the care provided, including vetting, hiring and paying carers. This allows families the time to spend with their loved ones without having to manage the care arrangement.
Introductory Live-in Care Agency
Introductory live-in care agencies act as intermediaries by introducing their clients to potential carers. These agencies typically act as a go-between for those needing care and carers, matching the individual’s needs with the carer’s experience and availability. Introductory care agencies are not regulated by the CQC.
It’s important to note that introductory live-in care agencies do not directly employ carers but instead connect those needing care with independent carers. You will be responsible for employing and paying your carer, with all the financial and legal obligations that brings.
However, you and your loved one won’t be alone, as throughout the care arrangement, the agency will provide some ongoing support. The agency is still responsible for ensuring that all needs are being met and addressing any issues.
How to choose your live-in care company
When you have a loved one needing care, it’s important that you bear in mind your loved one’s wishes and requirements for care so that you can choose the best live-in care company for them. To help you with the decision-making process, here are some useful tips on what to look out for when choosing a live-in care company.
Client Reviews
What others have to say about a particular service can help you make an informed decision. Client reviews provide firsthand accounts of the quality of care provided by the company. As a prospective client, you can gain valuable insights into the experiences of others, including the level of professionalism, compassion and competence of the carers.
Reading about real-life experiences shared by others can help you better understand what to expect from the live-in care service. You can learn about the specific services offered, the level of personalised care provided and how well the company responds to the individual needs of its clients.
CQC Rated
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating is an important tool to help you when choosing a live-in care service. Find and compare services on the CQC website to get a better idea of the quality, safety and reliability of the live-in care services they provide.
Choosing a service with a high CQC rating will give you peace of mind that your loved one will receive exceptional care, meet their needs, and promote their well-being. Trinity was rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC in our last inspection, putting us in the top 4% of regulated live-in care agencies in England.
Areas Covered
Location matters when choosing a live-in care service as it can influence accessibility and availability of carers. Choosing a care provider only to find out they do not operate in your area can be frustrating. Opting for a local live-in care service brings about many benefits and is essential for accessibility and convenience. A service located nearby means easier coordination of care arrangements, timely visits and swift response to emergencies.
A live-in care service familiar with the local community and resources can better support the elderly individual’s needs. From long-established relationships with local healthcare providers and pharmacies to links to other essential services, this will all make it easier to access additional support when necessary.
Specialised Experience
If your elderly loved one lives with a long-term health condition, it makes sense to enlist the help of a carer with experience in complex care. From dementia care and arthritis care to hearing or vision loss, an experienced live-in carer can provide specialist care for those living with chronic health conditions.
Specialised carers are skilled at recognising symptoms associated with particular conditions and know when to intervene and seek medical help. Their knowledge of particular health conditions can minimise the risk of hospitalisations or worsening of symptoms.
By choosing a carer with specialised caring skills, the support your loved one will receive will be personalised to their specific healthcare needs.
How to arrange live-in care with Trinity
Considering live-in care for your loved ones? Arranging live-in care with Trinity Homecare is a simple process with these easy steps:
- Call our care team
- Undergo a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your care needs and arrange a care assessment
- After the assessment, a plan of care is created
- A perfect live-in carer is found and placed
- Care can be adapted at any time
Talk to us today
If your loved one requires live-in care, contact us to chat with 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.
Get in touch today on 0207 183 4884. Our lines are open from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm every day. Alternatively, complete our online enquiry form, and we will be in touch very soon.
