What Do I Need to Provide for a Live-in Carer?
Live in carers provide invaluable support to those who need help with day-to-day living, allowing them to remain independent and comfortable in their own homes. Live in carers provide not only practical help, but also additional support and companionship that is bespoke to the individual needs of the person requiring care.
This article will explore what becoming a live-in carer might look like, what they may need to complete the job successfully and what you can do to support them whilst they support you with any daily tasks or care that you may need.
What is a live-in carer?
A live-in carer is a carer living in the home of the person they are providing support to. While domiciliary carers visit for a set number of hours per day or per week, a live-in carer can be there 24 hours a day to support your daily needs and requirements. Despite living in the same space, having suitable time away from their care work to maintain their own space and personal life is key. Live-in care can be extremely beneficial to older individuals or those living with disabilities, as it still allows them to maintain familiar routines in surroundings that they are comfortable with.
Watch the short video below to see more about live-in care:
What does the role of a live-in carer involve?
The role and responsibilities of a live-in carer can vary depending on your specific needs and requirements. They may include supporting with mobility, preparing meals, carrying out household jobs or accompanying you on any trips to activities or appointments. The support is tailored to you and your needs and is always delivered by professional and dedicated carers to help you to maintain your dignity, comfort and improve your quality of life. At Abbots Care, we ensure that our carers truly get to know you prior to moving into your home. We will build an understanding of all your preferences surrounding your health, daily routines and hobbies to build a detailed care plan to suit you.
What will we provide for you?
After getting a sense of who you are as a person, your needs and requirements and what kind of support you need, we will build a personalised care plan tailored to you. Whether you enjoy a quiet coffee morning each day or prefer to head out on a walk, your routine will become the routine of your carer.
The care plan allows 24/7 care to feel unobtrusive, natural and helpful right from day one. This means that live-in carers can support with daily meal preparation and cooking, household tasks, grocery shopping, cleaning and organising and taking medication. In addition, we can provide support with moving freely around your home, including fall prevention strategies and support with physio exercises, if this is something that you might need.
Our live-in carers can and often provide evening and overnight care, including preparing dinner, organising your home and establishing a comforting sleep routine if sleep is something that you may struggle with.
Do I need to provide anything for a live-in carer?
As your live-in carer will be residing in your home, there are some considerations you may want to think about beforehand. Ensuring that they have a comfortable environment to live and work in will allow them to provide you with the very best level of support. With our live-in care, we aim to make this process incredibly straightforward for you for you to get the care that you truly need and deserve.
Do I need to provide a bedroom?
Yes, a live-in carer will need a private bedroom to rest and sleep with enough space for personal belongings. It does not need to be large or freshly decorated, as long as they have a clean and comfortable place to relax and have some personal space, they will be able to support you efficiently. You do not need to have a large house or make any considerable changes to accommodate a carer coming to live with you.
Do I need to provide a bathroom?
While access to their own bathroom would be preferred, it is not necessary and shared facilities are perfectly acceptable. Your carer will need access to any shared spaces such as the bathroom, kitchen and living areas. Again, these areas don’t need to be large or look a certain way, as long as your facilities are available for them to easily and freely use.
Do I need to provide food or other essentials?
Your live-in carer will need full access to your kitchen so that they are able to prepare and cook meals for you and themselves. Often, carers and clients enjoy sharing meals together as part of experiencing shared routines and to encourage companionship. Once your personalised care plan is built and your carer fully understands your needs, they can adapt to your preferred routines for cooking and mealtimes. This can include helping you to make your favourite recipes, accommodating any allergies or dietary requirements and fully working around your preferences and schedule.
Are live-in carers background checked?
Yes, all of our carers must undergo rigorous background checks, extensive training and continuing supervision to provide peace of mind for you and your family. Ensuring that you are matched well with your carer is also important to us, so we take every step to make sure you are both compatible in personality to create a harmonious working relationship.
Overall, providing a space for a live-in carer is far simpler than you may expect. Your home will likely already have everything that they will need to best support you day-to-day, and by discussing your needs prior to the arrangement they will be able to create an arrangement that works perfectly for both of you. This will enable them to provide the utmost support, reassurance and companionship for you when you really need it.
To find out more about live-in care, please feel free to request a free live-in care guide to learn about what to expect and how we can help you.
Our expert home care team is here to support you. Contact us today on 0330 094 5511 to learn more about our services and how we can help you or a loved one.
Abbots Care Limited
(Hertfordshire)
16 October 2025
CQC overall rating
