WHAT DOES LIVE-IN CARE MEAN?

Live-in care is when an experienced and dedicated carer comes and lives with you in your home to provide you with the care and support you need. A live-in carer is there to help you carry out everyday activities, with as much independence, choice and dignity as possible. They are also there to reduce the burden of day-to-day tasks, including cooking, cleaning and driving you to any appointments you have.

Live-in care is still relatively unknown and sometimes misunderstood as an option for long-term care. If you or your loved one is struggling to cope alone and you are finding it difficult to support their increasing needs, you may think a care home is the only option. Live-in care is a viable alternative that allows people to continue living life their way, independently at home.

Contact us today to find out more about how live-in care can enhance the quality of your life.

WHY CHOOSE OXFORD AUNTS?

Oxford Aunts is an established and fully-managed live-in care provider. For over 50 years, we have helped families across Oxford and beyond improve their quality of life with our bespoke live-in care services.

Here are just some of the many compelling reasons our clients choose our high-quality, live-in care service: 

  • A fully managed and regulated service: We recruit, train and pay your care team, so we can fully manage the quality of care provided. Your family can enjoy more quality time together without the burden of managing the care service.
  • Experienced care teams: We only hire carers with previous experience and then train them beyond the industry standard. We are proud that a number of our dedicated care teams have been working for us for many years, with many carers returning year after year.
  • Exceptional service and quality care: Our service has been rated by CQC as a ‘Good’ service in all five measures – safe, caring, effective, responsive and well-led. We know this provides families with peace of mind that their loved ones are receiving the best possible care.
  • Experts in the care of conditions: We are experts in caring for people living with a range of complex conditions, including dementia, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s. There truly is nowhere like home to receive the support you need to manage your condition.
  • Local managers and 24/7 emergency support: You will receive exceptional support from local managers and assessors near to you who understand the local area. Our 24/7 out-of-hours support means we are always on hand to support you, your family and our carers in an emergency.

THE BENEFITS OF LIVE-IN CARE

AN EXPERIENCED AND COMPASSIONATE CARER

A live-in carer experienced in delivering hands-on care will come and live with you for a minimum of two weeks. In most cases, it will be for several weeks or longer. This means you can build a deep-rooted relationship and enjoy continuity of care.

The care they provide will be on a one-to-one basis. Knowing that someone is there around the clock to provide high standards of care is also very reassuring for family members.

AN EXPERTLY MATCHED CARE TEAM

We have over 50 years of experience in matching our clients with the most suitable dedicated and committed carers to best meet their needs. Where appropriate, we will ask for input from family members and make sure the carer meets both your care needs and your lifestyle preferences. We know this makes life more enjoyable for you both.

A TAILORED PLAN OF CARE AND SUPPORT

Our tailored plan of care will accurately reflect not just your care needs, but will also consider personal choice. This includes how you wish to live, what and when you want to do things and what emotional and social support you may need. The care plan is reviewed regularly to ensure it is reflective at all times of a person’s holistic needs.

UNRIVALLED EXPERTISE IN THE CARE OF CONDITIONS

For people living with specialist conditions such as dementia, there simply is no comparison to staying in your own treasured home to receive the support you need. The familiarity of home and daily routines can provide a great sense of comfort and security for individuals living with ongoing health conditions. Receiving care at home can also reduce the risk of exposure to infections or illnesses that can be common in care home environments.

IMPROVED HEALTH OUTCOMES

Our dedicated carers are trained to observe changes in health and well-being, positively and efficiently responding to them and engaging professionals who can provide extra support. We take a collaborative approach to care planning, working with the individual, their family members and any health care or community support service involved in their care. This leads to improved health outcomes and a better quality of life for our clients.

WHAT DO LIVE-IN CARERS DO?

An Oxford Aunts’ experienced and dedicated carer will provide a range of live-in care services in the comfort of your home including:

  • Compassionate companionship
  • Trained carers accurately manage medications
  • Sensitive personal care
  • Safe movement in and around your home
  • Food planned and cooked as you wish
  • Keeping you connected to your community
  • Socialisation is key to health and happiness
  • Domestic and household services
  • Pet care

HOW CAN LIVE-IN CARE BE PROVIDED?

Our flexible live-in care service can support your care needs in many different situations, including:

  • 24-hour live-in care for anyone with ageing or health limitations that needs around-the-clock care and support to continue to have a good quality of life.
  • A respite service can be provided following hospital discharge or for those needing rehabilitation from an injury or illness. Our respite service can also give your regular carer a break whilst you see whether home care would work for you and your family.
  • Specialist care of complex conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s or cancer can be supported with one-to-one live-in care, where there is more opportunity for high-quality care to be provided. You really do not need to move into a care home if you have a complex condition.
  • End-of-life or palliative care can be provided as a live-in care service in the comfort of your home, negating the need to move into a residential setting or a hospice. Our carers make sure a person’s health needs are met whilst ensuring they have all their wishes, choices and preferences met.
  • Care for couples enables you to stay together as a loving couple with the personalised support you need.

LIVE-IN CARE VS. CARE HOMES: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

There is no place like home to receive the care you need. In a care home, you will have to follow schedules and routines that may not suit your own. By receiving the care you need in your own home, you can continue to live life your way with independence and choice.

The benefits of receiving live-in care in the comfort of home include:

  • One-to-one care and support available around the clock – something that is nearly impossible to achieve in even the best care home settings.
  • A personalised plan of care tailored to your routines – none of the timetables or schedules of a care home.
  • Stay in your treasured home in the community you love with your familiar surroundings and routines.
  • Specialised and complex care provided in the safety and comfort of your own home has many proven benefits to overall health and well-being.
  • Continue living with your beloved pets – pets are rarely allowed in care home settings.
  • The cost of live-in home care is comparable to the best care homes and can be even less for couples.
  • Peace of mind for all the family knowing you are receiving the dedicated support you need.

OUR HIGH-QUALITY LIVE-IN CARE SERVICE INCLUDES:

  • A comprehensive assessment of your needs – our assessment will address not just your care needs but how you wish to live your life
  • Careful matching of an experienced and dedicated carer who will meet all your needs
  • A highly tailored care plan created using a multidisciplinary approach in consultation with other healthcare professionals and community organisations involved in your care, as well as where appropriate your family members or loved ones.
  • Unrivalled support from a team of care management experts local to you
  • Domestic and household tasks
  • Cooking, meal planning, shopping and preparation
  • 24 hours a day, out-of-hours emergency support should you need it

WHAT IS THE COST OF LIVE-IN CARE?

The weekly cost of live-in care can vary significantly depending on many factors. These include the type of live-in care provider you choose, the needs of the person receiving care, and whether the person has any complex conditions that require specialist care.

When comparing live-in care costs, it is worth noting that the cost of live-in care is comparable to the cost of a good quality care home. This is particularly true for couples that will need to pay for two packages of care in a care home. With live-in care, you only pay one inclusive fee for the carer who lives with you and a small nominal charge to provide care to both of you.

At Oxford Aunts, our care assessors will determine the weekly cost of care by conducting a thorough assessment of your needs. Our approach is holistic and considers not just your health needs, but how you wish to live your life.

Following the assessment, we will confirm the weekly fee for the most suitable live-in care package. It is an inclusive price for the care we provide, with no hidden extras, meaning you can understand the total cost of care over a longer period, enabling you to plan financially.

Find out how here how to arrange an assessment.

CHOOSING A CARE PROVIDER

When you and your family have decided that live-in care is the best choice for you, the next step is to research the type of provider you could use to deliver the service.

There are fundamental differences between an introduction agency and a live-in care provider like Oxford Aunts which offers a fully managed and regulated service. Our fully-managed service means we hire, manage and pay your care team, removing this burden from your family.

We are proud to be rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in all five measures – safe, caring, effective, responsive and well led. We know this provides families with peace and mind that their loved one is receiving the best possible care.

Find out more about choosing a live-in care provider.

HOW CAN A LIVE-IN CARER HELP?

An Oxford Aunts’ experienced and dedicated carer will provide a range of live-in care services in the comfort of your home including:

As a live-in carer will be residing in your home, you will need to provide them with a comfortable living space, including a private room with a bed and a TV. You will also need to provide them with access to your home’s internet and kitchen and bathroom facilities.

To ensure the carer is rested and able to provide the best care possible, they will need to take a two-hour break during any 24-hour period. Many clients prefer the break to occur in the afternoon while they are resting. During this time, family members can cover the care needed or one of our hourly carers can provide cover, if needed.

With live-in care from Oxford Aunts, you will never be left without the care and support you need. Our care service typically involves a team of two carers. One will provide care in your home for two weeks at a time, before rotating with the other carer.

However, we do offer various rota patterns, including a four-week working period with two weeks off. This allows for a consistent care routine and a chance for the carers to get to know and understand you as a person. If one of the carers requires a short period of time off, we will always strive for the other carer to provide cover to ensure continuity of care.

Yes, you will typically have the opportunity to meet your carer before they move in with you. This will give you the chance to discuss your care needs and preferences, ask any questions you may have, and ensure you feel comfortable with your carer.

We can provide live-in care for both you and your spouse through our couples care. Live-in care means you can stay together as a loving couple with the dedicated support you need. We will work with you to develop a care plan that meets both your needs and preferences so that life is more enjoyable.

Living with dementia can be challenging, but a live-in carer can provide support and assistance to help you manage your symptoms and maintain your quality of life. Our live-in dementia care can provide the support you need with daily activities such as bathing, meal preparation, medication management, and light housekeeping. They are also there to provide companionship and emotional support, if and when you need it.

There are several funding options available to help cover the cost of live-in care. This includes NHS Continuing Healthcare and local authority support. You may also consider the options for self-funding your own care. It’s important to research your options and speak with a financial advisor or care specialist to determine the best course of action for your situation.

You can expect your live-in carer to provide you with one-to-one care and support around the clock. Our care teams will work with you to create a personalised plan of care that is designed to meet your individual needs while also considering your preferences for how you wish to live your life. The services our carers provide range from practical domestic support to specialist care for health conditions, such as dementia.

Live-in care is a great option for anyone who could use extra support with daily tasks or simply wants some additional companionship and emotional support. At Oxford Aunts, we make it straightforward to organise a live-in service with us.

To learn more and receive a free, no-obligation home assessment, complete our simple online form or call us on 01865 791017.

24-hour live-in care is a type of support where assistance is provided throughout the day and night, ensuring that you always have the help you require. This type of care offers constant reassurance that there will always be someone available to provide you with consistent and high-quality care. You will have at least two carers; one to support you during the day and another to support you during the night. With our 24-hour live-in care service, you can trust that you will never be left without the support and assistance you need, no matter the time of day or night.

It should be highlighted that live-in care does not necessarily mean 24/7 care. If you only require some assistance and not constant care, a live-in carer may still be suitable for your needs.

TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR LIVE-IN CARE NEEDS

Call our friendly and approachable team today to see how we can help you and your family.

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