How much does live-in care cost in the UK?
When you’re considering care, whether that be temporary respite or longer term support and assistance, there’s no getting away from the fact that cost of care will be a consideration. There are many care options out there, from short domiciliary care visits to get specific tasks like your shopping done, to one-to-one palliative hospice care.
The level of care you need and the specialist nature of any medical conditions you might have, will influence the cost and type of care available to you.
At Promedica24, we specialise in live-in care that takes place in your own home, but we know that’s not the right option for everybody. That’s why we make it our business to be as transparent as possible, to lay out all the options on the table and to give you the facts you need to make the right decision.
Here we’re looking at live-in care and the care fees you can expect to pay for the level of individual care you need.
What does live-in care look like?
One of the great things about live-in care is the flexibility you have to make sure the service you are receiving meets your care requirements. Live-in caregivers cover a wide range of tasks and activities designed to help those in their care maintain their independence so you can continue to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
Companionship and light household chores
It may be that you’re simply looking for companionship – someone to be there to share a cup of tea with, or to help you get out and about to keep up a level of social contact and physical activity where possible. Or perhaps you need someone purely to help with household chores – stripping the beds, washing, ironing and cooking.
Support with mobility issues and personal care
If you’ve recently begun to suffer with a chronic pain that’s left you struggling with mobility, live-in care might look slightly different. For you, the best support may be a live-in carer who helps you to get up and dressed in the morning, assisting you with your personal care needs like washing, shaving or showering and accompanying you to medical appointments where necessary.
Night time needs
One of the benefits of having a live-in carer is round the clock care. Many medical conditions can impact sleep and cause disorientation in the night. Having peace of mind knowing someone is there to help you should you need it is invaluable.
Prompting medical assistance
While live-in carers are not usually medical professionals – unless you opt for specialist nursing care – they are fully trained to recognise the need for additional help. They will be on hand to ensure all medication is administered at the correct timing and dosage, and to prompt the care recipient to attend necessary medical appointments. They will also arrange for further medical support if and when it is required.
Specialist care for those with medical conditions
If you have dementia, or are living with Parkinson’s, cancer, diabetes or need help with the aftereffects of a stroke, a live-in carer can offer the opportunity to stay in the familiar surroundings of your own home rather than moving into residential care. Of course, where advanced dementia care or other live-in nursing care is required, the average cost of care will be higher due to its specialist nature.
Liaison with family members
For loved ones who are not close by, or who lead busy lives, a live-in caregiver can offer the peace of mind that someone is keeping an eye on you. It gives them the confidence that if there is a problem they need to know about they’ll be informed. And, what’s more, it means the time you do spend together can be free from chores and routine, and more about making memories and spending quality time together.
Why do live-in care costs vary?
Of course, as the above demonstrates, the type of care each individual needs will influence how much you pay for care per week. The hours of care required and whether it’s on a short-term care, long-term care or permanent basis will influence the average cost too.
Specialist nursing or input from medical professionals, advanced dementia care, the need for specialist equipment and even the requirement of a driver’s license will increase live-in care costs. And if you find yourself needing short-term care, perhaps to aid rehabilitation after an injury or discharge from hospital, there are understandably extra costs associated with bringing in a carer at short notice and for a shorter period of time.
When you’re comparing the cost of care homes to live-in care, you may find that residential care homes and nursing homes have less variable fees. It’s harder to pin down a cost for live-in care, without all the facts in front of us, because they offer more flexible care options.
Which Promedica24 care package?
Despite the variability in the care services we offer at Promedica24, we have put together three distinct care packages to give you an idea of what to expect.
Package A – Companion Support: £995 per week
This package is for you if you require domiciliary care, to support with the daily tasks required to run your home. This could include preparing and cooking meals, or assistance with medication. And it will almost certainly include a regular cup of tea and a chat.
Your carer will ensure that you remain as independent as possible and can maintain your social life by helping you to participate in leisure activities, clubs, work and educational pursuits.
Package B – Companionship and day to day Support: £1,245 per week
This care package is designed for those who need a bit more support to be able to stay in their own home due to additional care needs. These may be mobility issues or memory loss associated with the early stages of dementia. You will be paired with a live-in caregiver who is available to you 24/7. Our experienced care managers will create a personalised care plan that considers your personal preferences as well as your specific medical needs. This will continue to be reviewed and updated on a regular basis.
A live-in caregiver is trained to ensure that you continue to enjoy your usual daily routine, encouraging you to undertake any daily living tasks you are able to, such as helping to prepare meals. Personal care is integral to this care package, known to have a positive impact on mental health, wellbeing and confidence. Where possible, a carer will support you to continue with any hobbies or activities you enjoy, both inside and outside the home.
Package C – Advanced Care: £1,545 per week
Our advanced care package is for when you require a higher level of specialist support but wish to remain in your own home for as long as possible without going into residential care. This is designed for those requiring live-in dementia care, or a specialist carer for advanced conditions, other complex medical care or serious mobility issues that require a hoist.
Your carer will manage medications and clinical monitoring as well as ensure that you are eating a balanced, nutritional diet and monitoring for bed sores. Our carers are also trained to offer sensitivity, comfort and reassurance during end of life and palliative care.
Whatever your needs, our care packages are tailored to ensure that you retain as much independence and dignity as possible, all in the comfort of your own surroundings, 24/7.
Discounts may be available where one carer is working with two clients or for contracts that are greater than six weeks.
How to decide what’s right for you?
Decisions about the type of care that’s right for you both now and going forward can be incredibly difficult. After all, no-one knows what is around the corner. Our best advice is to research as much as you can, think about how you feel about the idea of moving into a residential home versus staying in your own.
If you would like any more details about live-in care and whether it could be the right option for you, contact us at Promedica24 for more details. Call 0800 086 8686 for a FREE no obligation call with our Care Consultants or to find out more about how we can help.