If you or a loved one needs a bit of extra care in their day-to-day lives, but don’t want to move into residential care, live-in or hourly care could be the ideal solution. In this article, we explain what each type of care is, and how they differ to help you make the right decision for your or your loved one’s needs.
So, what’s the difference between live-in and hourly care? Both live-in and hourly care are provided at the client’s home; the main differences are:
- Live-in care offers 24/7 support.
- Hourly support is arranged by the hour, as and when needed.
Both offer support with daily housekeeping, personal hygiene and care, medical assistance, and companionship.
Read on to learn more about live-in and hourly care services with Rivendell Care
What is Live-in Care?
Live-in care is a type of care service where a fully-trained carer lives with their charge in their own home. They are available 24/7 to help with personal care, medical care, housekeeping, companionship, dietary needs and more.
This type of care is often seen as an alternative to moving into a care home. It’s a great option for both the person needing care and their family; tailored care is provided for the person in the comfort of their own home, whilst the family can rest in the knowledge that they are perfectly cared for. This is especially true of those at risk of falling or those with medical conditions that require regular monitoring.
Benefits of Live-in Care
There are a number of benefits to live-in care compared with hourly care or even residential care. Some of these include:
- Comfort and security of remaining in their own home.
- 24/7 care and companionship, helping to eliminate loneliness and vulnerability.
- Couples that require care can continue to live together.
- Families gain the peace of mind that their loved ones are being well cared for, allowing them to go about their lives as normal.
- Choose what and when to eat. Carers will take care of everything from shopping to cooking and cleaning (if required).
- Eliminate the potential stress of selling and moving home.
Who is Eligible for Live-in Care?
At Rivendell Care, we support a range of people that require different support with their live-in care arrangements. This includes;
Elderly Support
Live-in elderly support can encompass a wide range of services tailored to the individual client. At Rivendell Care, we offer:
- Hygiene support
- Medical and medication support
- Housekeeping
- Companionship
- General assistance
Disability Support
Specialist disability live-in support is typically tailored to the individual in question, their condition and their specific needs. At Rivendell Care, our live-in carers can assist with:
- Housekeeping
- Accessibility support
- Hygiene support
- Help attending appointments
- Assistance with daily tasks and hobbies
- Companionship
Palliative Support
Palliative live-in support involves the carer supporting a person at the end of their lives. The specific tasks and support they provide will depend on the person in question, their condition and their individual needs. However, at Rivendell, our carers offer:
- Nutritional support
- Pain and stress management
- Companionship
- Hygiene support
- Housekeeping
What is Hourly Care?
Like live-in care, hourly care is provided to people living in their own homes. In most cases, they simply require a bit of additional support with day-to-day life. For example, they may need assistance with housekeeping, personal care and hygiene, and medical support.
The main difference between live-in care and hourly care is that the carer lives at their charge’s home. With hourly care they visit for an hour or so at a time, as required.
Benefits of Hourly Care
The benefits of hourly care are relatively similar to those of live-in care, as the client is still cared for in their own home. The key differences in benefits include:
- Support as and when needed, helping to maintain independence and confidence.
- Lower cost in comparison to live-in care or residential care.
- Support tailored to the client’s exact requirements.
Who is Eligible for Hourly Care
Hourly care is available to anyone that requires at-home support. However it is especially recommended for those that need additional support, yet want to maintain a level of independence. This includes care for the elderly, disabled, those with specific medical requirements
Home Care at Rivendell Care
At Rivendell Care, we offer a range of home care services in North West London. When creating our care plans for live-in and hourly support, we encourage input from the client, their family, friends and medical professions. This, alongside our tailor-made assessment, allows us to look at a person as an individual to plan the care around their lifestyle, daily routine, dietary requirements, likes/dislikes, religious and cultural beliefs and more.
Book a home care assessment today to learn more about how our carers can support you or a loved one.
