A live-in carer could be the answer to helping older adults stay independent and in their own homes. From personal care and companionship to household tasks and specialist support, live-in care provides continuous, personalised support in someone’s home.
That means helping with daily routines, companionship and household tasks, so life can be both comfortable and independent.
Below you can learn more about what live-in carers do, what they don’t do, and what their main duties are.
If you want some help to choose a live-in care company that will suit your relative, you may be interested in reading our guide to the 10 best live-in care providers and agencies.
What does a live-in carer do?
Live-in carers provide around-the-clock support, helping people remain safe, comfortable and independent in their own homes.
A live-in carer’s role is flexible and deeply personal, offering a reassuring blend of professional support, practical help and companionship.
Their duties vary depending on individual needs but typically include the following areas of care and companionship.
Personal care and daily living
A live-in carer can assist with all aspects of personal care including dressing, undressing, washing, oral hygiene and using the toilet. They support your relative in maintaining dignity and independence while ensuring that routines are carried out safely and respectfully.
Carers also provide help with mobility. For example, moving safely in and out of bed or the bath and offering support when walking around the home or outdoors. Many carers are trained in safe handling techniques and may also be able to drive clients to appointments or social outings.
Nutrition and mealtime support
Preparing nutritious, enjoyable meals is an important part of live-in care. Carers often learn a client’s favourite dishes and cook them whenever possible. They understand dietary needs that may arise from health conditions and can adapt recipes or preparation methods accordingly.
They may also handle grocery shopping, with a system set up for payment or reimbursement for food and household items purchased on behalf of your relative.
Medication management
Live-in carers can oversee medication routines, ensuring that medicines are taken at the correct times and in the correct doses. They maintain clear records of what has been taken and when, and can flag when new prescriptions are needed. Many carers use mobile apps to keep families updated in real time.
Household tasks
To keep the home environment pleasant and comfortable, carers help with everyday domestic tasks such as:
- Making and changing beds
- Tidying rooms
- Laundry and ironing
- Light cleaning duties
Companionship and emotional support
Beyond practical care, companionship is one of the most valuable aspects of live-in support. Carers take the time to get to know the person they care for, learning about their interests, hobbies and life stories. Having someone friendly to talk to each day can greatly enhance happiness and wellbeing.
Pets and the garden
Many older people find joy and comfort in their pets and gardens. A live-in carer can help ensure both continue to thrive.
Pet care may include feeding, walking, grooming, or arranging vet visits.
Gardening support can range from watering plants and mowing the lawn, to keeping outdoor spaces tidy and welcoming.
What don't live-in carers do?
Live-in carers are not generally expected to provide nursing care. This means that if your relative needs more complex medical care, such as diabetes management, or requiring regular ventilation, then you may need to find specialist live-in carers. You may also be able to add specialist care into the routine. Some live-in care providers do have nurse-led clinical carers that can provide support.
You should always discuss clearly and openly your relative’s care needs when organising live-in care from a provider or agency and don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions about the care provisions in the contract.
Specialist live-in care
Care agencies can provide specialist live-in carers for people living with medical conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s, and Multiple Sclerosis. These specialist live-in carers are trained in providing care for people with these conditions.
Being a live-in carer to someone with dementia requires different skills than those needed for regular elderly or non-dementia care. Agencies train their specialist live-in carers in how to communicate with someone with dementia, how to stimulate them by using old memories, and how to support people with dementia when they are feeling confused or distressed.
Working hours of live-in carers
Live-in carers are expected to work between 8 and 10 hours a day, but be on hand during a 4-hour period in case they are needed.
The 8 to 10 hours refers to the amount of time they are expected to spend carrying out their key care duties.
With no rigid rules or timetables, the day is planned around your relative and their needs on a given day.
In most cases, live-in carers have a designated numbers of hours off-duty every week. This is usually around 14 hours per week, which tends to be broken up into two hours off-duty each day. If the client is unable to be alone for this period, then carer breaks can be organised for a time in which family are visiting or your parent is taking a nap.
Because of the long hours that live-in care workers are on-hand to help your relative, many care agencies have two live-in carers assigned to each individual client. They will usually operate on a rotation basis. One carer may live with your relative for a month, for example, and then take a two-week break. Another carer will take over for this period. Live-in care providers aim to ensure your relative has the same few familiar faces caring for them.
Some older people require ‘waking nights’ care. This refers to when an individual needs their live-in carer to be awake during the night because they need care or support throughout the night. This will almost certainly be done by carers working in shifts over the course of the week.
Use an agency or employ a carer privately?
If you hire a live-in carer directly, you take on the responsibilities of an employer. This includes providing a written contract that sets out duties, pay, working hours, holidays, and notice periods.
You must also register with HMRC, manage tax and National Insurance deductions, pay at least the National Minimum or Living Wage, and provide statutory holiday pay.
In addition, you are required to hold employers’ liability insurance, ensure a safe working environment, and comply with working time and pension regulations.
Keeping clear records of pay, hours, and right-to-work documentation helps maintain a fair and transparent arrangement for both you and the carer. Find out more about hiring a carer privately.
How much does live-in care cost?
For one person needing mostly companionship, with minimal assistance with daily tasks, the cost of a live-in carer will range from £900 – £1600 per week. For a couple, this could be in the range of £1100 – £1400 per week. This will include minimum overnight support – help with trips to the loo etc if required, but not overnight medical care.
Specialist and/or nursing care will cost more.
If the options under consideration include moving house or into a care home, then live-in care can be more than comparable in terms of cost. Find out more about the costs of live-in care.
Do your parents need more help? If you are not sure, you might want to read our guide to help determine whether they are coping at home.
