Live-in care vs care home: Kenn and Nicole’s story
Choosing the right long-term care solution is one of the toughest decisions families face. See why Kenn and Nicole chose to keep their parents safe and happy at home with live-in care.
Why live-in care was better than a care home for Jean and John
Kenn and Nicole share how live-in care allowed their parents, Jean and John, to stay safe, comfortable, and happy in their own home, avoiding the stress of a care home. Their story shows how a dedicated carer can provide peace of mind, personalised support, and continuity for both their loved ones and families.
The benefits of staying home
The decision to choose live-in care for Jean and John was motivated by a clear desire to prioritise their comfort and well-being. Kenn and Nicole's story highlights the main differences between tailored home care and a traditional care home environment.
A decision guided by specialists
Kenn and Nicole ultimately chose Elder based on professional medical advice. They reveal that dementia care specialists strongly advised against moving their mother into a care home:
"We took medical advice from dementia care people who said, you know, if she was to go into a home, they would shorten her life... it wasn't any further discussion."
This professional validation confirmed their goal: to keep Jean and John in their family home, where they feel "safe... and more relaxed."
Peace of mind and family connection
The core benefit of the live-in care solution is the peace of mind it delivers to the entire family. For Kenn and Nicole, knowing a trusted carer is with their parents provides a profound sense of relief:
"It's just like a sense of relief really that you've got, you know, someone's here, they're gonna be OK. So it's just all about that, about just peace of mind I guess."
Crucially, the live-in care model preserves the home's role as the central hub for the family. The house remains "the family house" where "all the kids come here," avoiding the feeling that the grandchildren are visiting a facility.
Seamless support through Elder’s technology
Kenn and Nicole also highlighted how Elder's technology made the care journey simpler and more transparent:
"It's quite efficient, isn't it, and easy to use. The system, you know, with the calendar, the carers, all of that has been quite seamless really."
This seamless integration, including features like a shared calendar, ensures the family is always informed and that the personalised live-in care plan is executed consistently and reliably.
Our services
Live-in care
Long-term 24-hour support
- A carer lives in the home to provide round-the-clock support
- Suitable for people living with conditions like dementia, reduced mobility, etc.
- For long-term care needs
Respite care
Temporary 24-hour support
- A carer moves in for a few days to provide round-the-clock support
- Suitable to cover for a main caregiver or for a temporary increase in care needs
- Minimum duration of 3 days
Visiting care
Flexible home visits
- Book as many hours as you need for help in the comfort of your home
- Support with everyday tasks like grooming, walks, cooking, etc.
- From as little as 1 hour per week