The short answer
- Your carer lives in, with their own bedroom, and fits around your parent's routine.
- They help with daily life: getting up, washing, meals, the house, getting out, company.
- They take daily breaks, usually around two hours, at a time agreed with you.
- Nights are for sleeping. Help now and then is fine; waking care every night is a different arrangement.
- Two carers usually share the role, taking turns.
What does a typical day look like?
| When | What might happen |
|---|---|
| Morning | Help getting up, washing and dressing. Breakfast together. Reminders and help with morning medication, as agreed with the family. |
| Late morning | Laundry, tidying, the shopping list. A walk, a trip to the shops or a coffee in town. |
| Lunch | A meal cooked at home, the way your parent likes it. |
| Afternoon | The carer's break, often around two hours. Your parent might rest, see a friend or have family visit. |
| Evening | Supper, the evening routine, television or a game of cards, and help getting ready for bed. |
| Night | Everyone sleeps. Your carer is there if your parent needs help now and then. |
This is only an example. You and your carer agree the routine directly, and it should fit your parent's life, not the other way round.
When does a live-in carer take breaks?
Live-in carers need daily breaks to rest, usually around two hours a day. Agree with your carer when they'll take them. If your parent shouldn't be on their own during that time, plan who'll be with them, for example family, a friend or a neighbour.
What happens at night?
A live-in carer sleeps at night, in their own room. Help now and then is fine, up to around twice a night on average. If your parent needs help more often than that, or someone awake all night, that's a different arrangement, and we'll talk it through honestly.
Where does the carer sleep and eat?
- Their own bedroom, clean and clear of other people's belongings.
- Food, either shared meals or a food allowance, typically around £40 a week if they eat separately.
- Wi-fi, so they can stay in touch with their own family.
What to prepare before your carer arrives.
How do two carers share the role?
Live-in carers typically work in rotation, so you'll normally have two regular carers who take turns living in. Both get to know your parent and their routine, so changeovers feel familiar rather than like starting again.
What doesn't a live-in carer do?
- Nursing or clinical tasks, such as injections, wound care or tube feeding. District nurses and the NHS provide these.
- Care that needs two people at once.
- Being awake all night, every night.
Will it feel like having a stranger in the house?
At first, a little. Most families find that changes quickly, because your parent has met and chosen their carers before they move in. Over time, the carer becomes a familiar part of the household.
This guide describes how live-in care typically works. The details of your own arrangement, including breaks and routines, are agreed between you and your carer.
Sources
- Homestay Carers: how it works, and costs and funding
