When you or a loved one needs more support with everyday activities and routines, you may wonder what services are available. Many people assume that home care is a single service, but there are several branches that might best serve your current and future needs.
The two most common home care options are live-in care and domiciliary care. Both options allow you to remain at home with the support of professional care, but what’s the difference between them? Today, we’ll explore this to determine which is right for you.
What Is Live-In Care?
Live-in care is a comprehensive service in which a professional carer moves into the home to provide round-the-clock support. They’ll become familiar with everyday routines and normal life, assisting when necessary and offering emotional support to honour their independence.
The aim of many live-in carers is to become more like a friend or a trusted confidant, while still providing professional help. They can also be available throughout the night if needed.
Who Is Live-In Care Best For?
Live-in care is best for people who may feel anxious about living at home alone, or who have ongoing complex medical needs that require constant attention. Live-in care can offer reassurance to the individual and their loved ones. It’s a good alternative to residential care, where the person can stay in the comfort of their home.
What Is Domiciliary Care?
Domiciliary care, also known as visiting care or hourly care, is a service in which a carer visits your home at scheduled intervals, usually multiple times a day or a week. Visits can last as little as 30 minutes or as long as multiple hours, depending on the level of care required.
Domiciliary carers often help with medication management, larger domestic tasks such as shopping or pet care, or companionship. The aim is to provide specific support while supporting independence wherever possible.
Who Is Domiciliary Care Best For?
Domiciliary care is best for people who need regular support, but not full-time assistance. It can also be a good option for families who require respite care to support their loved one without interrupting their hectic schedules.
Live-In vs. Domiciliary Care: What Are the Main Differences?
Knowing and understanding the key differences between live-in and domiciliary care can help you make an informed decision as to which is the best option for you or your loved one.
1. Level of Support
Live-in care offers round-the-clock assistance, while hourly care is support provided on a part-time basis. Live-in care can provide peace of mind for families, especially if their loved one is more at risk of falls or injuring themselves.
Domiciliary care can be a good introduction to home care, naturally progressing to live-in care as support needs change and evolve.
2. Continuity of Care
Domiciliary care is often delivered by a small team of professionals who rotate on a shift basis. You may be assigned an individual carer, but they may not always be available for each scheduled visit.
Live-in care can provide more consistency. Your loved one will be assigned one dedicated carer who moves into the home and spends 24/7 in their company. This gives them more time to develop a strong bond and a better understanding of your loved ones’ needs and routines.
3. Independence and Privacy
Domiciliary care services provide much greater independence than live-in care, as individuals only see their carer for set periods each day. Your loved one will be able to continue living independently between visits, knowing when help will next arrive.
Live-in care is more involved, with a carer always present in the home. For many people, this round-the-clock care offers benefits that outweigh the disadvantages of less independent living. Live-in care also offers continuous companionship, which is beneficial for people at higher risk of social isolation.
4. Cost of Care and Commitment
Domiciliary care is often the more cost-effective home care option, as care is provided for a set number of hours per week. This is a viable option for people who only offer occasional support or want to trial home care before committing to live-in support, as you’ll only pay for the hours you use.
Live-in care needs a higher financial commitment, but it’s often no more than residential care. For couples living together or individuals with complex needs, it can even be more cost-effective, as you don’t have to worry about the cost of accommodation.
5. Peace of Mind
Domiciliary care gives families reassurance knowing that their loved one is receiving help and support at a pre-arranged time. Live-in care offers a continuous presence in the house, providing even more peace of mind and reassurance.
How to Choose the Right Type of Home Care
Choosing the right type of home care can be more difficult than you might think. There are several factors that may influence your choice, such as your loved one’s health, daily needs, personality and current support network.
If your loved one requires ongoing supervision and complex care, or emotional support and companionship, live-in care may be the best option. Family carers may notice they need more support than they can currently offer, which is where live-in care can help.
However, if they are still mostly independent and only need help with certain aspects of daily living, domiciliary care can work well. You can use this service as a stepping stone to live-in care as needs change.
How Trinity Homecare Can Help
At Trinity Homecare, we pride ourselves on providing compassionate domiciliary and live-in care services. We’ll work with you and your loved one to create a tailored care plan depending on their needs, wants and personality. We can offer a specific level of support depending on their care needs.
When working with Trinity Homecare, you can expect:
- One-to-one support at home
- Completely bespoke care that has been tailored to you
- Specialist care for a number of different circumstances
- Home carers carefully matched to your needs
- CQC rated ‘Outstanding’ live-in care services
If you’re uncertain about the best type of care for your loved one, we’ll support and guide you in making the right decision. We carefully pair all clients with carers to find the best match, and design a plan that fits your family today, tomorrow and beyond.
Talk to us today
At Trinity Homecare, our ultimate goal is to enrich your lifestyle in the comforting and familiar surroundings. 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.
