The home of expert impartial advice about Live In Care.

Welcome to The Live-in Care Hub. The Place to Find Expert Advice on Arranging a Carer To Live In Your Own Home

‘Live-in care’ is the full-time homecare alternative to moving into a care home. Arranging live in care provides peace of mind for all the family and combines one-to-one care with the independence of life at home.

‘The Live-in Care Hub’ is an impartial information resource and a friendly point of contact where you can learn all you need to help make a decision about arranging live in home help for yourself or a relative.

There are many excellent live in care agencies and we are here to help you find the perfect one for you and your family.

Could you or a relative benefit from the round-the-clock support of a professional, qualified and vetted carer?

Someone to live with you and provide help with (for example):

Getting Up
A morning cup of tea
Washing & Dressing
Medication Reminders
Nutritious Home-Cooked Meals
Companionship & Escorting to Appointments
Housekeeping & Laundry
Getting ready for bed
The security of knowing someone is there if needed

Give Us A Call For A Friendly Informal Chat And We’ll Point You In The Right Direction

Call Us

What Is Live-in Care

High-quality care from the comfort of home

Find a Provider

Our members provide live-in carers for the whole of the UK

Live-in Care Options

Choose from a variety of different care levels available

Finance and Legal

Live-in care could be more affordable than you think

Live-in Care Information Blog

Elderly Care: A Coping Guide for Family Carers

Caring for an elderly parent, spouse or other relative can be challenging in so many ways – it can place emotional, physical and financial strains on the family carer. It…

A New Year – Time To Arrange Care To Improve Your Quality of Life

Care is something most of us don’t want to think about until the time comes when we need it. It is quite normal not to want to think about this;…

Present Ideas for Christmas with Elderly People

Preparing for Christmas: Present Ideas for People With Different Stages Of Dementia

Great present ideas to help you find the perfect gift for the loved one in your life with dementia, with a focus on the various stages of the illness. …

Elderly Care Options: There Are More Choices Than You Think

Read about the different elderly care options available to ensure you have a fulfilling and independent later life. There are currently over 11.4 million people aged 65 or over…

A Career Caring For The Elderly: The Ups And Downs

Find out about the ups and downs of a career caring for the elderly, one of the most fulfilling and rewarding jobs available within the care industry. If you…

Understanding Stroke

A stroke occurs when there is an interruption of the blood supply to the brain. The human brain relies on a constant supply of blood, and the oxygen it carries,…

Looking For A Care Home? There’s A Better Option

Find out how you can remain in your own home, stay independent and be happy in later life with a great alternative to residential care homes. Media reports last…

Thinking About A Care Home? The Pros And Cons

Find out about the pros and cons of care homes so that you can make an informed choice about later life care. If you, or your relative, are in…

Understanding Dementia

Dementia is a condition that touches many people’s lives, whether as a person living with it, a relative or a friend, and, anecdotally, most people think they understand what it…

Our Latest Blog Post

Elderly Care: A Coping Guide for Family Carers

Caring for an elderly parent, spouse or other relative can be challenging in so many ways – it can place emotional, physical and financial strains on the family carer. It can even have a negative effect on the health of the family caregiver because all of the demands placed on them can lead to overwhelming stress and exhaustion.

The impact of such stress is a risk to your own well-being and health, and can affect your ability to provide proper care for your loved one. It is, therefore, important to use coping strategies and to seek support wherever possible to help you with the responsibility of being a caregiver.

Of course, it is entirely understandable that, even given the challenges of caring for an elderly loved one, it is something that many people are very willing to do. But few people realise, when they first take on the role, exactly what it entails and what it will take out of them personally. Some people, on the other hand, may not have taken on the role willingly but were thrust into the role of carer out of necessity with little or no preparation or previous experience. Many family members also feel a huge sense of responsibility and guilt.

Let’s first have a look at some of the reasons why family members provide elderly care for their loved ones before considering some of the emotions you might experience as a family caregiver, some coping strategies that will help you and where to find support if you need it.

Elderly Care: People Want To Stay At Home

According to research, in the UK nearly 97% of people want to stay in their own home when they become older and less able to look after themselves, even if it’s a struggle to cope. Moving into a residential care home is certainly not most people’s first choice of elderly care. So, naturally, if you are able and willing to assist your loved one and provide that care at home then that is by far the preferred option to help them remain in their own home.

Caring for an elderly relative in their own home is an admirable responsibility to take on and can be very rewarding; but there’s no denying that there are significant challenges too, especially if that care is provided full-time and if you, yourself, are not as young as you used to be.

While being a family carer you may also have to juggle other responsibilities and this can add to the stress so whilst your priority will be the person needing care, you mustn’t neglect your own needs and well-being. Today many people are coping with caring for a loved one that now presents with a care need as well as raising their own family. The impact both sets of responsibility brings is not to be underestimated.

Adapting Your Home

One way to make things easier for both the carer and the person being cared for is to adapt the home so that it is safer and more suitable for senior living. Special equipment is available such as stair lifts, hoists, bathing equipment, ramps and hand rails; and, of course, more major home alterations such as converting a downstairs room to a bedroom and an accessible shower room may also be needed depending on the particular circumstances.

If you have lived in your home for a long time you may feel that major alterations are not only expensive and disruptive but will make your home not feel like home anymore. But remember that most alterations will make it easier to care for your loved one and may even offer them some small measure of independence (for instance a stair lift) so such changes will overall ease the pressure on you as the carer too.

Some alterations and special equipment can be expensive but there are also simple, inexpensive solutions (such as handrails in the bathroom). So check with your local authority about whether you are eligible for financial help with any equipment or home alterations. Ask your GP for a referral to an Occupational Therapist who can perform an assessment to find out what alterations or equipment would be helpful and whether it would be funded by your local authority. Even if you have to pay for equipment yourself an Occupational Therapist can advise you on what will work best. At the very least the assessment is something you will be entitled to.

People Want To Retain Some Independence

When someone needs care and assistance with everyday tasks such as washing, dressing or eating, and you are willing to provide that help, it should be a simple matter to just get on with it. Unfortunately, some people are reluctant to accept someone else caring for them – even a loved-one (sometimes especially a loved one). It can be very hard for some people to accept the loss of their independence.

Be sensitive to the needs of the person you care for in this respect, especially where you are taking over roles that used to be theirs, such as doing most of the driving, or the shopping, cooking or gardening. They may not only have to come to terms with a new illness but also the loss of what may have been a life-long role they enjoyed that contributed to their self-esteem.

Try to maintain a healthy balance and share roles and responsibilities where you can – this can also take the pressure off you. For instance if your loved one has mobility problems they may still be able to deal with the post and bills etc. or even prepare food that doesn’t need cooking (just watch out if they want to get involved in cooking as this might be dangerous for those with mobility problems or those living with dementia).

It is important not to treat your relative as being totally incapable both for their self-esteem and to prevent you, as the carer, being overwhelmed with the responsibility and sheer hard work of doing everything.

Emotions

When you are providing elderly care for a relative you might experience a whole variety of emotions. Some emotions may appear right from the start but some can develop over a prolonged period. It’s important to recognise that all emotions you feel are normal and to avoid feeling guilty about certain feelings you may have. In such a difficult situation all feelings are entirely valid. Don’t try to deny what you are feeling; good or bad, instead find an outlet for the emotions or find support to help you – there is no need to suffer in silence.

Here’s an A-Z of just some of the emotions you might feel as a family member providing elderly care for a loved one:

Anger	Feeling angry is particularly common when we feel the person we loved is no longer that same person.
Anxiety	Anxiety can easily build up – especially if you are worried about the future. It can appear as any number of physical symptoms.
Boredom	As a family carer your own needs and wants will naturally take a back seat and you may find yourself simply bored by the situation you find yourself in.
Depression	Caring for an ill or frail loved one is an intensely emotional situation that can deeply impact a family caregiver so low mood or even depression is common.
Embarrassment	You might feel embarrassed having to wash a grown adult and take them to the toilet. Or you might feel embarrassed around other people if your relative has a condition that affects their behaviour.
Fear	You may feel afraid about what might happen in the future; your loved one deteriorating or passing away and you being left alone.
Grief	You may find yourself grieving for the relationship you once had and the life you once had, particularly in the case of people with dementia
Guilt	Guilt is extremely common in people providing elderly care for a family member. You might feel guilty if you take some time off or do something pleasant that your relative can't do. You might feel guilty wishing someone else could perform the caring role
Loneliness	You may feel you have nobody to talk to who really understands what you are going through
Resentment	You might resent your loved one for needing the care, or resent the fact that you have to provide care

These are just a few of the emotions you might feel when you are providing elderly care for a spouse, parent, or other close relative. But remember there are many support groups out there and many people in the same situation. Your GP or social services can help find a local group that can offer the support you need. You will also find cafes that bring together people in situations like this.

Strategies for Coping

You may feel that you are coping very well with your responsibilities as a family carer but it is important to watch out for underlying signs that you are not coping as well as you might think. These can include:

Avoiding taking part in activities you used to enjoy or avoiding social situations
Lack of concentration on anything that is not connected to caring for your loved one
Eating too much or, conversely, eating too little – comfort eating of unhealthy foods
Drinking or smoking more than usual
Being unable to sleep properly, even when you are totally exhausted
Having troubling and stressful dreams
Frequently contracting colds or other minor health problems.

If you find yourself recognising some of these signs or just feel you need some direction on how to cope better with your caring responsibilities then here are some of the key strategies that can help you cope when you are a family carer for a beloved relative:

Learn How to Say No	Do you find yourself always agreeing to requests to do something - whether it's for the person you care for or someone else in your life? If you do then, for the sake of your own physical and mental well-being, you need to learn how to say "no" to requests that are not essential. This doesn't mean you cannot still, for instance, provide hospitality in your home but instead of offering to cook lunch for friends or family instead invite them for coffee and biscuits or arrange a "bring & share" meal so that others do the cooking. And if you are doing everything for the person you care for when they are still capable of certain tasks then you need to make sure the load is shared and they do what they can. This will not only help you but also raise the self-esteem of your loved one.
Accept You Are Not Perfect	Learn to accept your imperfections – you may not do things in the same way someone else might – you may not be able to do things in the way the person your care for used to do. That's OK – you may not be able to cook up a perfect Sunday roast but you have other skills and, more importantly, you have taken on the hugely valuable responsibility of caring for another human being. Value that and encourage others to do the same. After all nobody is perfect.
Accept The Things You Cannot Change	Identify those things that you cannot change – this may be the behaviour of the person you care for, maybe because they are living with dementia or have experienced a stroke. Or they may have mobility problems that limit what you can do together. You cannot change these things but you can try to change how you react to them or how they make you feel. Doing so will help you feel more in control of your situation and, therefore, less resentful of the limitations imposed by your new, changed way of life.
Look To The Future, Not The Past	Try not to dwell on how things used to be - instead focus on how things could be. You may not be able to go for long walks by the sea with your loved one anymore but maybe you could go out to lunch somewhere overlooking the sea or another beautiful view. You may not be able to have stimulating conversations with your loved one anymore but you could enjoy listening to your favourite music together or perhaps watching a favourite film.
Value The Small Things	Take the opportunity to enjoy the small pleasures in life: sitting in the garden on a sunny day, tending a herb garden, baking a cake for a friend or looking through old photo albums with your family.
Set Realistic Goals	Don't try to do everything – set realistic goals of what you can achieve each day, each week or each month by prioritising all the tasks that need to be done. Take help where it is available. For instance, many pharmacies will deliver regular medication to save you the time going to pick them up. Bills can be paid online or over the phone without the need to go to the bank – even better set up direct debits so you don't have to worry about paying bills on time.
Establish a daily routine	Make lists of what needs to be done every day – such as regular health appointments, medication, food shopping, other errands. Getting into a regular routine will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and worrying that important tasks will be forgotten. Prioritize what needs to be done, make lists, and establish a daily routine. If "to-do" lists become too long then cull the list to only those essential tasks.
Keep In Touch	Keep in regular contact with family, friends and neighbours. It's all too easy when you are focusing on caring for a sick or frail relative to forget about those around you. You may not wish to ask them for their help but it's good to know they are there if you need them - so stay in touch. They may also be the people who can help you "let off steam" from time to time.
Keep Fit & Healthy	Prioritise regular exercise and try to be physically active and get some fresh air every day even if that is simply walking to the shops. If you can't get out of the house easily then be as mobile as possible around the house. Try and eat a healthy and well-balanced diet to keep your energy levels up but don't deny yourself the occasional treat.
Remember To Laugh	Try to keep a sense of humour about your life and your own personal situation. Humour is a great healer and it is proven that laughter reduces stress, can relieve some physical aches and pains and can even strengthen your immune system. So watch a comedy programme on TV or read a funny book.
Seek A Local Support Group	There are many support groups for family carers in local communities so join one near you so you can meet people in similar situations, who are going through the same challenges caring for a love one. Some can help with temporary care if you cannot leave your relative alone. Some groups focus on caring for those with particular illnesses or conditions such as dementia.
Use Respite (Temporary) Care	Coping strategies are essential for all family caregivers but sometimes these are simply not enough and what you really need is a complete break from the situation you find yourself in. This might be simply having an overnight carer come to the home so you can catch up on lost sleep or a longer arrangement so you can have time away. This is when respite care can help. A Carer's Assessment is available from the NHS to determine whether you might be eligible for some financial help towards this, but whether you are or aren't eligible for financial support it is something of enormous benefit to all family carers.
Seek Professional Advice	Caring for a beloved family member is challenging and stressful but it doesn't have to be borne alone. Whereas respite care will provide temporary assistance looking after your loved one it is also possible to arrange home care where a professional carer comes to your home on a regular basis that can be agreed beforehand to simply ease the burden of caring. A tailored plan can be put in place that suits your needs and financial situation and provides only the type of care which you need help with. For instance, a carer could come every morning and evening to help the person being cared for get out of bed, get washed and dressed. And again help them back to bed in the evening. Or maybe you just need help to allow you to attend a regular weekly social event, or someone to be there during the night so you can sleep.

You Deserve Support & Help

It is completely normal to find the role of care-giver to a sick relative highly challenging and for it to take its toll emotionally and physically. So it is important that you give yourself the opportunity to deal with those emotions and to get the help you need rather than bottling up your feelings and trying to cope alone.

It may simply be that all you need every now and then is lunch with a friend and the opportunity for a chat that isn’t about your own personal situation or that of the person you care for. It may be that some exercise, a walk in the country or maybe even a week-end away could be what you need. When you do take some time for yourself avoid at all costs feeling guilty that you have handed over care, albeit temporarily, to someone else – simply try and enjoy your time away.

Sometimes just having the chance to let off steam can help.

However, you may have reached a breaking point and you may need further support if you are no longer able to provide all the care required. Remember that it is not all or nothing – just because you cannot cope alone with the role of family carer does not mean that you have “failed” or that you cannot provide any care at all for your loved one. Many family carers successfully provide joint care of their loved one along with a professional carer. If that might be something you would consider then you can find out more about home care or live-in care here:

Help is available to ensure a better future for you, and the person you care for.

Arrange the care you need in 3 simple steps

1. Get the information you need

It’s important to be fully informed before making such an important decision. This website has all the information you need from how live-in care works, to who to contact to arrange your care and how much it costs, including state funding and plus care.

Check Out Our Free Resources

2. Find a provider

All our members share a vision to enlighten everyone on the benefits of live-in care and guarantee the very highest standards of care. They provide cover through the whole of the UK.

Find a Provider

3. Get in touch

You’ll find contact numbers for each of our members on their individual pages. If you’d like to talk to us one of our expert team will be on hand to answer all your questions.

Call us on 0330 311 2906

Request A Brochure

For further information and to receive our latest brochure send us a message using the form below.

Who are The Live-in Care Hub?

The Live In Care Hub was founded in 2012 as an initiative to raise the profile of live-in care in the UK as a genuine alternative to residential care homes for the elderly. Today, the Live In Care Hub has become a respected advisory centre for people considering arranging a carer to live with their relatives at home and available to the general public to call for an informal chat and a friendly ear to hear their story resulting in suggestions and ideas that may well help. members of the Hub are a group of partner companies all providing live-in care services and are all members of the United Kingdom Homecare Association. At the Live In Care Hub we share a common vision to provide the very highest standards of homecare and to help everyone appreciate the benefits of live-in care.

In order to maintain very high standards, our member companies have professional development schemes in place to help carers keep their existing skills up to date and to help them learn new skills as they develop in their careers. Hub members offer high levels of support and supervision to carers, if required, so that they can provide the very best care for you and your family.

They are all dedicated to improving the quality of homecare in the UK by offering care for people in their own homes, in their familiar surroundings with friends and neighbours nearby. In-home care enables loved ones to enjoy all aspects of everyday life in a real home environment – their own home.

As respected experts in live-in care the aim of our member companies is to provide an alternative way of life for those in their later years – one that provides everything they need without requiring them to move into a residential home.