What Is Live‑In Care? A Complete Guide for Families and Seniors

Our elderly loved ones want to maintain their independence and stay in their own homes for as long as possible.

As their caretakers, we both want them to be happy and we want to know they are safe. To keep our loved ones safe and secure, and to support our own peace of mind, a great option is live in home care.

What is Live In Home Care?

Live in home care is exactly what it sounds like – a care provider lives in the home with the senior. The caregiver mainly provides non-medical care, like meal preparation, light cleaning, and assisting with activities of daily living. Activities of daily living include things like:

• Hygiene activities – bathering or showering, toileting and cleaning oneself after using the toilet, washing, drying and brushing hair, brushing teeth, etc.
• Eating – actually getting the food from the plate into the mouth
• Dressing – selecting weather-appropriate clothes and putting them on
• Transferring and mobility – moving the from the bed to a chair, moving safely around the house

A live in caregiver can help with all of these tasks, along with the more complex tasks like cooking and cleaning. They can also provide transportation for the elderly person to appointments, errands, and social functions as well as make sure the senior takes medication as needed. 

In home caregivers have their own bedrooms, access to a bathroom, and designated time for sleep. They often form long-term relationships with their patient and their patient’s family members.  

A live in home caregiver differs slightly from overnight care or 24-hour care. An overnight caregiver assists the senior during the night if they have difficulty sleeping or experience side effects from their medication. They can help with any needed personal care tasks and also just be present for the senior if they need anything during the night – which lets the rest of the family get the rest that they need. 

24-hour care typically involves a few caregivers over a 24-hour period, so someone is always present, awake and ready to assist your elderly loved one. 

Benefits of Live In Care

The biggest benefit of live in care is peace of mind – both for the elderly person and for their other caregivers and family members. For the family members, they know someone is there for their loved one to make sure they are safe, healthy, fed, and taking their medications as directed. 

For the elderly person, they know they have support and do not need to “bother” their family members for every little thing. And even more important than help around the house is companionship. Loneliness is a leading cause of depression in the elderly, which can quickly lead to other health complications. So the physical and emotional support provided by an in home caregiver are equally vital. 

Live in home care is an excellent option to delay the need for your loved one to move into assisted living or a nursing facility, allowing them to remain independent in their own home as long as possible.

To learn about our home care services, contact our caregiving team today at 1-800-GRISWOLD or find a Caregiver near you.