Whether you’re making an initial decision on care requirements for a relative whose support needs have changed, or re-assessing an existing residential care arrangement, switching to live-in care is a convenient process without any unnecessary headaches.
At The Good Care Group, we prioritise transparency and will provide all the information and consultative support that you need to make the decision that’s best for your loved one.
Here’s an overview of points to consider when changing from a care home to a full-time, live-in carer, complete with links to some of our more in-depth resources:
How your loved one can benefit from a live-in carer
While residential carers will work tirelessly to achieve high standards for residents, there are some benefits that can only be achieved with a live-in care arrangement. By choosing a live-in care arrangement, your loved one can benefit from:
Enhanced care quality
With live-in care, you achieve a one-to-one care ratio. A small team of highly trained carers – often specialising in specific medical conditions – will be on hand day and night to handle almost any eventuality. At The Good Care Group, we regularly upskill our carers to ensure they’re kept up-to-date with the latest care methods and procedures.
Independence
A live-in carer will encourage your loved one to stay as independent as possible, aiding them with daily activities that have become more difficult to help give them a sense of purpose and dignity. They get the freedom to stay in a familiar environment, surrounded by their support network of friends, family, neighbours and beloved pets.
Practicality
Live-in care bypasses the need to move your loved one out of their current residence, therefore removing practical logistic and financial hurdles. The dedicated care team will assess the suitability of the home to compensate for age-related conditions and recommend small changes that can be implemented without much fuss but make a major difference to a person’s lifestyle.
Managing the emotional impact
Transitioning from a care home to live-in care can be an emotionally complex process for your loved one. Here are some strategies to help ease this transition and provide the emotional support they need:
- Open communication: Encourage your loved one to express their feelings, concerns, and expectations about the change. Listen actively and validate their emotions to help them feel heard and understood.
- Involve them in the decision: Whenever possible, involve your loved one in the decision-making process. This can empower them and help them feel more in control of their situation.
- Familiarise them with the carer: Arrange meetings or trial periods with the live-in carer before the transition. Building a relationship with the carer beforehand can reduce anxiety and create a sense of familiarity.
- Focus on positive aspects: Highlight the benefits of live-in care, such as personalised attention and staying in a familiar environment. Emphasising these positives can help your loved one see the advantages of the new arrangement.
Supporting family members
The transition to live-in care can also be challenging for family members. Here are some tips to help manage emotions and expectations during this period:
- Educate yourself: Learn as much as possible about live-in care, what to expect, and how it differs from residential care. This knowledge can help set realistic expectations and reduce anxiety.
- Open dialogue: Maintain open communication with all family members involved in the care decision. Share information, concerns, and updates to ensure everyone is on the same page.
- Acknowledge emotions: Recognise and validate your own feelings and those of other family members. It’s normal to experience a range of emotions, including guilt, relief, and anxiety.
- Set realistic expectations: Understand that there will be an adjustment period as your loved one and the live-in carer settle into the new arrangement. Be patient and give everyone time to adapt.
- Regular check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins with the live-in carer to discuss your loved one’s progress and any concerns. This helps ensure that the care provided aligns with your loved one’s needs and preferences.
- Focus on quality time: Use the transition as an opportunity to spend quality time with your loved one rather than on caregiving tasks. This can strengthen your relationship and provide emotional comfort to both you and your loved one.
- Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge and celebrate small milestones in the transition process. Positive reinforcement can boost morale and provide reassurance that the decision to switch to live-in care was the right one.
Choosing the right live-in carer
Choosing the right live-in carer is crucial to ensure the well-being, comfort, and happiness of your loved one. Here are some essential considerations to help you make an informed decision.
Key qualities to look for
When selecting a live-in carer, it’s important to identify qualities that contribute to effective and compassionate care. Here are some key qualities to look for:
- Compassion: A compassionate carer can empathise with your loved one’s situation, providing emotional support and understanding. Compassion helps in building trust and a strong caregiver-client relationship.
- Patience: Caregiving can be challenging, especially when dealing with complex needs or behavioural changes. A patient carer will handle these situations calmly and effectively, ensuring your loved one feels respected and valued.
- Reliability: Consistency is vital in caregiving. A reliable carer ensures that your loved one’s needs are met promptly and consistently, providing peace of mind for both the client and their family.
- Adaptability: Each day can bring new challenges in a caregiving role. An adaptable carer can adjust their approach to meet evolving requirements, ensuring consistent and personalised care.
- Discretion: It’s important for a live-in carer to integrate smoothly into your loved one’s life without imposing their own routines. Discretion allows the carer to support the client’s regular habits and preferences effectively.
Learn more about the ten most important qualities of a live-in carer.
Interviewing potential carers
Conducting thorough interviews with potential live-in carers is essential to finding the right match for your loved one. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the interview process:
Start by writing down a list of questions that cover important aspects of caregiving, including experience, skills, and personal qualities. Some sample questions include:
- Can you describe your previous caregiving experience?
- How do you handle stressful situations or emergencies?
- What strategies do you use to promote independence and autonomy in your clients?
- How do you manage and administer medication?
- Can you provide examples of how you have handled challenging behaviours?
When interviewing potential live-in carers, start by asking about their experience with similar conditions and their training background. Specialised training in areas like dementia care or mobility assistance can be particularly advantageous. Additionally, request references from previous clients or employers and follow up on them to gain insights into the carer’s reliability, professionalism, and effectiveness.
During the interview, you may want to present hypothetical scenarios and ask how they would handle them to gauge their problem-solving skills, adaptability, and approach to caregiving challenges. If possible, arrange for the carer to meet your loved one to observe their interaction and see how comfortable your loved one feels with the carer.
Clarify your expectations regarding daily routines, responsibilities, and any specific needs your loved one may have. Clear communication about roles and boundaries can prevent misunderstandings later on. Finally, trust your instincts. If something feels off or if you have concerns, address them or continue your search for the right carer.
By following these guidelines, you can make a well-informed decision and choose a live-in carer who will provide the best possible support and care for your loved one.
How to change from residential care to a live-in care package
Funding
The same financial support packages are in place for residential and live-in care. This means that – based on an assessment from the local authority – your loved one may be entitled to a significant care package, as well as Attendance Allowance funding. Self-funding via savings payments or equity release are other viable options.
Find out more about live-in care funding.
Environment
Our care team will carry out an assessment of the home when they’re first brought in, and recommend changes that could help to mitigate medical conditions and reduced mobility. The home will then be re-assessed as needs change over time. From the point at which our carers are brought in, we’ll take full responsibility of domestic duties and administration.
Communication
At The Good Care Group, one of the things we pride ourselves on is our consultative approach. We’ll open a dialogue from the start and enable the family and our client to have a meaningful say in how best to compose a care package that meets all of their needs. By having a small, dedicated care team for your loved one, you get the peace of mind that comes from having a single, direct point of contact throughout the care process.
‘Outstanding’ live-in care you can trust
At The Good Care Group, we put your loved one at the heart of the equation, enabling you to get back to spending quality time together, safe in the knowledge that their health, dignity and overall wellbeing are all being maintained as best possible.
We use our extensive experience to guide care standards across the industry (even informing national policy) and can provide you with the support that you need to initiate an individually tailored care plan.
Find out how The Good Care Group could make a meaningful change for your loved one.
