Caring for a loved one can be both a deeply rewarding and a challenging experience all at the same time, especially when navigating financial decisions about their care.
For lots of families live-in care is a preferred choice, providing a loved one with dedicated support and companion care while also allowing them to stay in the comfort and familiarity of their home.
However, understanding the cost and funding options available for such care is vital in making sure that the best decision is made for both you and your loved one.
In our next Access Care guide we will be taking a look into the ins and outs of live-in care funding, including the main advantages of live-in care, how it compares to the other types of care options that are available, and practical advice for budgeting.
What Is Live-In Care?
Live-in care involves a professional live-in carer living in your loved one’s home with them, offering personalised, round-the-clock help and support.
This bespoke type of care service covers everything from medication management, companion care and mobility assistance to light housework and looking after their nutritional needs.
Unlike other forms of domiciliary care, live-in care provides one-on-one attention to a client, making sure that your loved one’s needs are always met with care, respect, and consistency.
Beyond care, it means they are able to retain their independence, stay close to their most cherished memories, and maintain their own personal daily routines -all within the familiarity of their own home.
Live-in care is suitable for a wide range of situations, from supporting elderly people who are living with mobility challenges to aiding couples who both need daily help and assistance.
Benefits of Live-In Care:
Personalised Care: Each type of care solution for every client is tailored specifically to their individual needs, preferences, and lifestyle, ensuring that the live-in care provided aligns closely with their own daily routine.
Comfort and Familiarity: Remaining in a familiar environment surrounded by their own personal belongings and memories can really help to improve emotional well-being and reduce stress or anxiety for live-in care clients.
One-on-One Attention: With a dedicated live-in carer, there is a much greater focus on the live-in care client’s care, allowing for attentive and tailored help and support that meets their unique and specific needs.
Companion Care: The presence of a live-in carer can help to reduce loneliness and feelings of isolation, providing companion care and social interaction, which is key for mental and emotional health.
Independence and Autonomy: Live-in care clients are able to retain a greater sense of control over their own lives, as they are able to keep up their daily routines and decisions with the supportive presence of a live-in carer.
Safety and Security: Professional live-in carers are trained to recognise and manage potential hazards and risks in the home, ensuring a safe environment for your loved one and most importantly, reducing the risk of falls or accidents.
Consistency in Care: Unlike shift-based care, live-in care provides continuity and consistency, naturally building a trusting relationship between the live-in carer and their live-in care client who is receiving care.
Accommodation of Special Needs: Live-in care can be adapted to cater to a wide range of medical conditions, such as dementia or Parkinson's disease, with live-in carers trained in the necessary skills.
Ease for Family Members: Knowing their loved one is receiving comprehensive and attentive live-in care at home can provide families with great peace of mind and reduce the overall stress that is often associated with care responsibilities.
Support for Couples: Live-in care can accommodate couples, allowing them to stay together even when they both need help and assistance, creating a nurturing environment for their relationship.
Reduction of Infection Risk: By staying at home, live-in care clients limit their exposure to potential infections which are common in communal living environments like care homes.
Flexibility: Care schedules can be adjusted according to the person’s evolving needs or preferences, providing a really flexible option to long-term care.
Cost-Effective: Particularly for couples, live-in care can often be more affordable than individual places in a more traditional residential home, as fees are structured per household rather than per person.
End-of-Life Care: When needed, live-in care can transition into palliative or end-of-life care, ensuring comfort and dignity during final stages, within the peacefulness of a live-in care client’s home surroundings.
Overall, opting for live-in care presents a really comprehensive solution for those who would like to continue living as independently as possible while making sure that their needs are adequately met with compassion and professionalism.
How Live-In Care Differs from Other Care Options
When looking into the various care options that are available, live-in care stands out due to its unique benefits, especially when compared to residential care, hourly care, sheltered housing, and family care.
Here's how it differs from these other care alternatives:
Residential Care: Unlike residential care homes where residents must move away from their own home spaces and often conform to a regimented schedule, live-in care allows your loved one to stay in the comfort of their very own home while maintaining their own personal daily habits and routines. It provides them with personalised attention from a dedicated live-in carer, ensuring continuity and familiarity, aspects that can be really disrupted by the communal living environment in residential home facilities.
Hourly Care: Hourly or drop-in care offers support but only during specific times of the day, which can lead to gaps in the help and assistance that a person gets and makes unanticipated needs challenging to meet quickly. Live-in care, on the other hand, provides 24 hour round-the-clock support, offering assurance that someone is always there and available to manage any issues as they arise, ultimately enhancing safety and reliability.
Sheltered Housing: Offering independent living with some level of on-site support, sheltered housing can be beneficial, but it often lacks the personalised and continuous care that is found with live-in care arrangements. The social model of sheltered housing can also fall short for people who would like a bit more privacy and intimate care, whereas live-in care ensures tailored help and assistance and companion care within the live-in care client’s own home.
Family Care: While family members provide familiar and loving support, they might not possess the specialised skills, training or availability that is needed to look after the complex care needs effectively. Live-in carers bring professional expertise and experience, alleviating the burden on family members and enabling them to maintain their familial relationship without the added stress of care responsibilities.
By choosing live-in care, families can be sure that their loved ones receive the best compassionate, personalised care without compromising their independence or the comfort of their regular environment.
This holistic approach not only supports their loved one’s physical and emotional health but also offers peace of mind to the family members, knowing that their loved ones are well-cared for by trained professionals.
Cost Comparison of Care Options
When looking into all care options for loved ones, cost is a critical factor in decision-making. Let's take a look at comparing the costs associated with live-in care against other care options such as residential care, sheltered housing, hourly care, and family care. We will look at why live-in care can be the most advantageous choice financially for many people.
Residential Care Homes
Residential care often involves a big financial commitment, primarily due to the wide range of services that are offered by the homes. Monthly fees typically cover the costs of accommodation, meals, and a range of care services. However, these costs can quickly escalate and add up based on the level of care that is required, any additional services needed, and the quality of the facility.
There are often also extra charges for things like personal items, activities, and outings. Additionally, selling the family home to finance residential care can have massive emotional and long-term financial impacts.
In contrast, live-in care allows people to stay in their own homes, getting rid of the need for drastic exposure to high upfront costs while offering personalised care that can often be more cost-effective in the long run.
Sheltered Housing
Sheltered housing provides a blend of independent living with on-site support, which might on the surface seem the less costly option than residential care.
However, there are still many charges involved for things like maintenance fees, utility costs, and service charges, which often increase annually.
This option may not cover personal care, and residents might still need to pay for additional support services, thereby increasing the overall costs.
Live-in care, on the other hand, blends the benefits of one-on-one attention with the comfort of home living, and its cost is typically structured as a flat rate that covers all the necessary personal care needs, making it financially viable for those who are in need of extensive support.
Hourly Care
Hourly care or drop-in care services are initially attractive due to their pay-per-visit flexibility. However, the expense can soon add up to be quite significant, especially if a client requires frequent visits throughout the day and night, leading to increased total costs exceeding those of a continuous care environment.
Not only that, but the fragmented nature of hourly care may mean that additional emergency services or unexpected coverage needs may crop up, adding further to the financial strain.
Live-in care offers a fixed-cost solution, providing consistent 24/7 live-in care support that can prove to be more economical, especially for those clients who are living with complex and unpredictable needs who would otherwise face skyrocketing hourly bills.
Family Care
While family care seems cost-free, it can actually present hidden costs that affect the long-term financial health of the family members that are providing the care.
For example, taking time off work, reducing work hours, or leaving a job entirely to provide care can lead to substantial income loss, diminished career advancement opportunities, and have potential impacts on their retirement savings.
By opting for live-in care, families can bypass these intangible costs, making sure that the professional live-in carers training and experience cover their loved one’s needs. This approach not only preserves the financial stability of the family but also safeguards the well-being of both the family carer and their loved one who needs the care.
Live-in care often comes out on top as a financially sensible care option, providing comprehensive support while allowing people to maintain their independence in the familiar comfort of their homes.
Its cost structure, when compared to the substantial, often ever increasing costs that are associated with other care options, positions it as a great choice for families who are seeking quality and sustainable care solutions.
Care Funding Options
At Access Care we understand that the thought of financing 24-hour live-in care can be daunting, but there are various funding solutions available that are there to help ease the burden.
Government Support
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
For people who are living with complex medical needs, CHC funding can cover the full cost of care, whether it is live-in care at home or in a residential setting. Eligibility is determined through an assessment by your local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
Local Authority Funding
Your local council may provide financial help and assistance depending on a means-tested assessment. If a person is deemed eligible, they can contribute towards your live-in care costs, helping reduce overall expenses.
Attendance Allowance
Individuals aged 65+ requiring extra help due to disability or illness can apply for something called an Attendance Allowance. This offers up to £101.75 per week (as of the time of writing) to help cover care-related expenses (inc. live-in care costs).
Private Options
Savings and Pensions
Using existing savings or pension income to finance live-in care is a common method. Families often come up with a budget to manage these resources effectively.
Equity Release
Homeowners may choose to unlock equity from their own property to fund care, including live-in care. This option should always be carefully evaluated with financial advice.
Additional Considerations for Families
Impact of Emotional Well-being
Preserving Residency: Staying at home with live-in care naturally strengthens the emotional sense of security and belonging for a live-in care client, as they are avoiding the stress associated with moving to a new environment.
Familiar Surroundings: Being in a familiar place often leads to improved mental health outcomes, as the live-in care client continues engaging with their community and cherished routines.
Personalised Attention: Receiving live-in care from a dedicated live-in carer ensures empathetic, one-on-one help and support, creating a stronger emotional connection and tailored assistance.
Long-term Financial Stability
Fixed Cost Structure: Live-in care's generally fixed rate avoids the unpredictable and volatile costs of other types of care, this can offer peace of mind for families when planning and managing their finances.
Home Appreciation: Retaining homeownership allows people to benefit from potential property value increases rather than liquidating their assets to meet their care needs.
Investment in Quality: Direct investment in high-quality personal live-in care at home can lead to better health outcomes, reducing emergency medical expenses or hospitalisation events over time.
Quality of Care
Consistency and Continuity: The ongoing presence of a single live-in care can really help to improve the quality and consistency of care, minimising errors from taking place and enhancing the overall experience for a live-in care client.
Professional Expertise: Live-in carers are often specially trained to deal with specific medical conditions, delivering superior live-in care tailored to their live-in care client’s needs, which might not be as readily available in residential settings.
Flexibility and Adaptation: A live-in carer can adapt care routines based on real-time observations, effectively managing evolving care requirements without the bureaucratic delays typical in more extensive facilities.
These considerations highlight why many families regard live-in care as a highly beneficial and sustainable care model for their family members.
Budgeting for Live-In Care
When starting to budget for live-in care, it's important to account for various factors that influence the overall cost. This includes things like the level of care that is needed, the live-in carers experience, and any extra services that might be necessary for comprehensive care.
Care costs are typically structured as weekly fees, covering the live-in carers salary, room and board, and other associated expenses.
Families should also be mindful of inflation and potential rises in cost over time to make sure that they can sustain this mode of care.
It's also a good idea to regularly review financial resources and make any adjustments as needed to accommodate any changes in care needs or financial circumstances.
By managing these aspects diligently, families can help to make sure they have a stable and effective care schedule that maintains their loved one's quality of life without unexpected financial pressures.
Live-In Care for Couples: A Cost-Effective Solution
Choosing live-in care as a couple offers not only the massive advantage of shared companionship but also a cost-effective care solution.
By opting for a single live-in live-in carer to support both people, couples can often share the financial burden, making it a much more affordable option than having two separate care arrangements.
This setup means the couple are able to keep living together in their home environment while also receiving personalised help and assistance that is tailored to each partner's specific and unique needs.
Furthermore, couples can also enjoy enhanced well-being as they are able to stay together.
Live-in care for couples means that both individuals receive dedicated care and attention, ultimately enhancing their quality of life without compromising their cherished relationship.
Charities and Organisations for Care Cost Advice
When navigating the complexities of care funding, there are several charities and organisations that can provide valuable support and guidance:
Age UK
Age UK offers free advice and information on the different types of care options that are available, financial assistance, and navigating the healthcare system. Their expert team can also help you understand entitlements and make informed decisions about care planning.
Alzheimer's Society
For families who are dealing with dementia, the Alzheimer's Society provides specialised support and financial advice tailored to the unique needs of people who are living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. They can help guide you through funding options specifically related to dementia care.
Carers UK
Carers UK supports those who care for family members and friends. They provide a wealth of resources, including information on benefits, financial aid, and rights that may be available to carers. Whether you're seeking financial assistance or looking to understand your options better, Carers UK can offer the guidance you need.
Age Concern
Age Concern, closely connected with Age UK, focuses on promoting the well-being of older adults. This organisation provides helpful advice on community resources and financial support avenues, making sure you have access to necessary care without unnecessary financial strain.
Citizens Advice
The Citizens Advice service offers impartial advice on a wide range of issues, including care funding (including live-in care options). Their experienced advisors can provide guidance on managing live-in care costs, available financial support, and legal rights, ensuring you and your loved ones receive the best possible care.
By taking the time to reach out to these organisations, it can help families gain a much clearer understanding of their financial landscape and explore all available options to support their care journey.
Who We Are at Access Care
At Access Care, we are dedicated to providing exceptional live-in care services that prioritise the well-being, independence, and dignity of our live-in care clients.
We believe in a person-centered approach, ensuring that each live-in care client receives the very best care that is tailored to their unique needs and preferences.
Our mission is to enhance the quality of life of our live-in care clients by helping them to remain in the comfort of their own homes while receiving the live-in care and support they need.
We Understand That Funding Domiciliary Care is no Small Decision
Choosing and funding the right care option for your family member is no small decision, and it’s only natural to feel overwhelmed.
However, with the right research and support, you can make an informed choice that prioritises their well-being and comfort.
Home care offers a unique mix of personalised one-on-one support, convenience, and value -especially when compared to the more traditional residential care home options.
Do you need help understanding your options? Contact us at Access Care today for an informal chat on finding the perfect live-in carer.
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