When someone you love starts to need more support, one of the first questions families ask is whether it’s still possible for them to stay at home. For many people across North London, from Barnet and Enfield to Camden, Islington and Haringey, live-in care is the answer – offering full-time, one-to-one support without the upheaval of a move.
It’s a big decision, though, and it’s natural to have plenty of questions. What does a live-in carer actually do? How does it compare to a care home? And how do you know you’re choosing the right provider? This guide sets out what you need to know, with links to trusted, independent sources along the way.
What is live-in care?
Live-in care means a trained carer lives in your loved one’s home and provides support throughout the day, helping them to carry on living in surroundings they know and love. The NHS notes that homecare is very flexible – anything from an hour a week to several hours a day, at night, or a live-in carer – and that some live-in care organisations provide carers who can support people with more specialist needs, such as stroke or dementia care (NHS: Homecare (https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/care-services-equipment-and-care-homes/homecare/)).
Day to day, a live-in carer might help with:
- Personal care, such as washing, dressing and toileting
- Medication prompts and reminders
- Preparing meals and drinks
- Light housework, laundry and shopping
- Getting out and about – appointments, the hairdresser, a walk on Hampstead Heath or a coffee in Highgate Village
- Companionship, conversation and the hobbies your loved one enjoys
Just as importantly, there’s someone on hand if they need help – which can bring enormous peace of mind to families, particularly those who don’t live nearby.
Live-in care versus a care home
There’s no single right answer, and a care home is the best choice for some people. But live-in care has some clear advantages for those who want to stay put:
Familiar surroundings. Staying in their own home, with their own belongings, routines, neighbours and perhaps a much-loved pet, can make a real difference to someone’s wellbeing.
One-to-one attention. Rather than sharing staff with other residents, your loved one has a dedicated carer whose focus is entirely on them.
Couples can stay together. Live-in care can support a couple in their own home, rather than one partner having to move.
Continuity. A consistent carer gets to know your loved one’s preferences, history and personality – and the small things that make a good day.
Age UK has helpful, impartial guidance on the different types of care and how to arrange them, and is a good place to start if you’re weighing up options (Age UK: Arranging care (https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/arranging-care/)).
Live-in care for people living with dementia
For people living with dementia, familiar surroundings and a consistent routine can be especially valuable. A move into unfamiliar surroundings can be unsettling, so many families choose to explore support at home first.
If you’re caring for someone with dementia, the Alzheimer’s Society offers a wealth of practical information on getting help with dementia care, including care at home (Alzheimer’s Society: Help with dementia care (https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/help-dementia-care)). When speaking to providers, ask specifically about the dementia training their live-in carers receive, and how they’ll adapt the care plan as needs change. You can read more about our own Alzheimer’s and dementia care in North London (https://www.visiting-angels.co.uk/northlondon/services/alzheimers-and-dementia-care-services-in-north-london/).
How to choose a live-in care provider in London
Live-in care London-wide is offered by many different organisations, so it’s worth doing your homework. Here are some of the key things to check:
Regulation
Any provider delivering personal care in England must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care. You can search for a provider and read their latest inspection report on the CQC website (https://www.cqc.org.uk/), and the CQC also sets out the fundamental standards (https://www.cqc.org.uk/about-us/fundamental-standards) that everyone receiving care is entitled to expect.
Vetting and training
Ask whether every carer has an enhanced check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service), and what training they’ve received – particularly for specialist needs such as dementia, mobility support or medication.
Matching and continuity
The relationship between your loved one and their live-in carer is at the heart of good care. Ask how the provider matches carers to clients, whether you can meet them first, and what happens when the carer takes a break or holiday.
Communication and reviews
Find out who your main point of contact will be, how often the care plan is reviewed, and whether family members can be involved. Our earlier article on key questions to ask your home care company (https://www.visiting-angels.co.uk/northlondon/key-questions-to-ask-your-home-care-company/) covers this in more detail. The Homecare Association (https://www.homecareassociation.org.uk/), the UK membership body for homecare providers, is another useful source of information about the sector.
Paying for live-in care
Costs vary from provider to provider and depend on the level of support needed, so always ask for a clear, written breakdown of fees, including what’s covered and any extras.
It’s also worth checking what help may be available. Your local council – whether that’s Barnet, Enfield, Camden, Islington or Haringey – can carry out a free needs assessment to work out what support someone needs (NHS: Getting a needs assessment (https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/help-from-social-services-and-charities/getting-a-needs-assessment/)). Depending on their circumstances, your loved one may also be eligible for benefits such as Attendance Allowance (https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance). The NHS has a useful overview of money, work and benefits (https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/money-work-and-benefits/) relating to care.
Don’t forget the family carers
Very often, the move to live-in care follows months or years of a partner or family member providing a great deal of care themselves. If that’s you, it’s important to look after your own wellbeing too. Carers UK (https://www.carersuk.org/) offers advice and support for unpaid carers, and you may be entitled to a carer’s assessment from your council.
Frequently asked questions
What does a live-in carer do?
A live-in carer provides full-time support in the home, which can include personal care, medication prompts, meal preparation, housework, companionship and help getting out and about. The exact support is set out in an individual care plan.
Is live-in care only for older people?
No. While many people who use live-in care are older, it can also support people of any age living with a disability, long-term condition, or recovering from illness or surgery.
Can live-in care support someone with dementia?
Yes. Many people living with dementia benefit from staying in familiar surroundings with a consistent carer. Ask any provider about their carers’ dementia training and experience.
Which areas of North London do you cover?
We support families across North London, including Camden, Islington, Hampstead, Highgate, Haringey, Barnet and Enfield. See our areas we cover (https://www.visiting-angels.co.uk/northlondon/areas-we-cover/) page or get in touch to check your postcode.
How quickly can live-in care be arranged?
This depends on individual needs and finding the right carer match. The best first step is to speak to us about your situation – our team is available 24/7.
How do I check a live-in care provider is regulated?
Search for the provider on the CQC website (https://www.cqc.org.uk/) to confirm their registration and read their latest inspection report.
Live-in care in North London from Visiting Angels
If you’re looking for live-in care in North London, Visiting Angels can help. Our carers are DBS-vetted, trained and carefully matched to the people they support – because we believe the right carer changes everything. We’re a local North London team, available 24/7, and local families rate us 4.9 stars on Google.
Learn more about our live-in care in North London (https://www.visiting-angels.co.uk/northlondon/live-in-care-in-north-london/), our wider home care services (https://www.visiting-angels.co.uk/northlondon/services/home-care-services/) and our dementia care (https://www.visiting-angels.co.uk/northlondon/services/alzheimers-and-dementia-care-services-in-north-london/). Or, if you’re ready to talk, call us on 02080 594 187 or enquire now (https://www.visiting-angels.co.uk/northlondon/enquire-now/) – we’d love to hear from you.
