Deciding on the best type of care is a personal choice that can feel overwhelming for you and your loved one. Questions often arise about finances, daily routines, and whether the caring environment will feel comfortable and supportive. Live-in care is an option that enables a person to remain in their own home while receiving round-the-clock support. This arrangement can be more than just convenient—it can genuinely maximise quality of life.
Below, you’ll discover the primary benefits of live-in care and how this arrangement compares to moving into a residential care home. We’ll look at the practical differences, the advantages for day-to-day life, and how Tiggo Care’s live-in care services will help you or your loved one.
What is the difference between live-in care and a residential care home?
Live-in care means a professional carer moves into the client’s home to provide ongoing support and companionship. The person receiving care remains in familiar surroundings, sticking with their usual routine. This setup allows someone to stay connected to their local community, keep up with hobbies, and enjoy the comfort of their own space.
On the other hand, residential care involves moving out of your home and into long-term accommodation. Typically, this accommodation includes a private bedroom and bathroom, with shared communal spaces. Each care home can differ in its services, rules, and amenities. While residential settings can benefit those needing substantial medical support, they often require significant lifestyle adjustments.
The benefits of live-in care over residential care
1. Staying in a familiar environment
Moving away from a home that holds years—or even decades—of memories can be distressing. With live-in care, there’s no need for a huge upheaval. You remain in the place you love, surrounded by personal possessions and a neighbourhood you know well.
This sense of familiarity can be especially beneficial for someone experiencing memory issues or confusion. Feeling safe in known surroundings reduces stress and helps maintain a positive mood. Many people find that living in their own homes also boosts their overall confidence as they continue to follow a daily pattern they’ve grown accustomed to.
2. Personalised, one-on-one care
In a residential home, a person often shares care resources with many other residents. Live-in care offers a different approach, focusing on individual needs. By having a carer in your home, you receive person-centred care and support that is uniquely tailored to your lifestyle—no more waiting in a queue for help with washing or dressing.
This personalised approach can be particularly valuable for people living with conditions that require extra attention. Although live-in care assistants cannot diagnose or treat a condition—only a doctor can do that—they can carry out daily routines recommended by health professionals. This might involve assistance with medication routines, gentle exercises recommended by physiotherapists, or help with meal preparation as advised by a dietician.
3. Maintaining independence
Retaining independence can have a big impact on self-esteem and emotional well-being. With live-in care, you or your loved one remains in control of daily routines, such as deciding when to wake up, when to enjoy a cup of tea, or what time to eat dinner.
By staying at home, you’re also free to keep up with local activities and meet with friends whenever you like. Studies show that feeling part of a community can improve emotional health, especially for older adults. Even simple acts, like greeting a neighbour over the fence or chatting with the postman, can help maintain that all-important connection to daily life.
4. Keeping family and pets close
Pets often bring immense comfort, especially for those who may be feeling isolated or lonely. Residential homes sometimes have strict rules about animals, or they may not allow them at all. Live-in care means there’s no need to give up a beloved companion.
Your family and friends can also visit without the formalities and time restrictions that some residential homes impose. This ease of visiting encourages more frequent interaction. If you have a garden that your grandchildren love to run around in or a cosy living room for family movie nights, none of that changes with live-in care.
5. Financial considerations
The costs of live-in care can be comparable to, or sometimes less than, residential care. Unlike many care homes that may charge extra for specific services (such as certain nursing tasks), live-in care agency fees are usually a flat weekly rate. You’re not paying for group facilities you might never use; instead, you’re investing in direct, one-on-one help.
For couples, live-in care can be even more cost-effective because charges for a residential home usually double if two bedrooms are required. With live-in care, you pay a single fee for the carer’s ongoing support, plus any additional nominal costs for a second person living in the same home. This is often a better financial solution and also prevents a couple from being separated.
6. Minimising risks of relocation stress syndrome
Relocation Stress Syndrome is recognised when someone, especially an older adult, moves from a long-term home into an entirely new setting. Stress, anxiety, and confusion can all spike during such a major change.
Live-in care helps avoid this upheaval by allowing a person to stay in the environment they are used to, surrounded by favourite belongings and memories. This consistent setting can make a huge difference in someone’s emotional wellbeing, reducing the potential for distress and helping them settle into a new care arrangement more smoothly.
7. Minimising exposure to communicable diseases
In a residential care home, viruses and illnesses may spread more easily among residents due to shared communal areas and close proximity. Live-in care at home can reduce the likelihood of exposure to common bugs or infections.
With live-in care, there is generally just one carer living with you, so you limit regular contact to a smaller social circle. This can reassure those who feel vulnerable or worry about catching something. Additionally, many people prefer being cared for in their own carefully cleaned space, knowing that infection control can be managed to suit their comfort levels.
Conclusion
Choosing between live-in care and moving to a residential care home is a deeply personal decision. It’s not always easy, and each person’s situation will be unique. However, live-in care offers genuine advantages that many find appealing—familiar surroundings, one-to-one support, more control over daily life, and the comfort of having family and pets close.
At Tiggo Care, we understand how vital it is for you or your loved one to continue living life in a way that feels natural. Our live-in services are designed to maximise quality of life by offering a personalised approach at every step. Whether you need help with personal care, medication reminders, meal preparation, domestic tasks, or attending appointments, we’re here to support you in the comfort of your home.
We know that a care plan can be as unique as the person it supports, so we work closely with you and your family to understand individual needs and tailor our assistance accordingly. If you have further questions about live-in care—such as how it works, the costs involved, or how soon you can start—simply contact us.
