How to find the right live-in carer for your loved one
Need a live-in carer you can trust? At Elder, we help you find a compassionate, reliable carer who’s the right fit for your loved one.
Expert advice: Alexis Cable on choosing your carer
Hear directly from Alexis, Elder's former Head of Clinical, as she shares practical insights and advice to guide you in choosing the ideal live-in carer for your loved one.
Expert insight from Alexis, Elder's former Head of Clinical:
“It’s really important to work out what you are looking for and set out a list of must haves, nice to haves, and deal breakers. The person who’ll receive the care may be looking for different qualities and you may be surprised at how they would rank the skills and abilities that you value.”
3. Ensure qualifications, skills, and experience align
The right live-in carer must possess the necessary qualifications, skills, and experience to confidently meet your loved one's specific needs. A comprehensive assessment of these attributes is vital for effective and safe care.
Key skills and qualifications to look for:
Core care skills: Medication management, personal care assistance (bathing, dressing), safe manual handling, first aid, nutrition, and infection control.
Specialist training: For specific conditions, ensure the carer has relevant experience and training in areas such as dementia care (understanding behaviours, communication), Parkinson's support, stroke rehabilitation, palliative care, or support for spinal/brain injuries.
Experience nuances: Consider both professional care setting experience and personal caregiving experience (e.g. caring for a loved one). Both paths can produce excellent carers; assess what's most important for your situation. For complex needs, deep, specific experience is crucial.
Find your ideal carer
We have connected over 5000 families to carers so far.
FAQs
Still have questions?
0333 920 3648With Elder, you can be introduced to suitable live-in carers in as little as 24 hours. Our care advisors work closely with you to understand care requirements, personality preferences, and lifestyle factors, helping to streamline the matching process and ensure a strong fit from the start.
When choosing a live-in care provider, compare carer vetting standards, experience requirements, pricing transparency, and how well they support you before and after matching. Look for Enhanced DBS checks, verified references, and clear communication about responsibilities.
Elder goes further with additional screening, character and judgement assessments, plus ongoing support and unlimited matching, helping you feel confident you’ve chosen the right live-in carer for your loved one.
No, you don’t need a CQC-approved care provider to find the right live-in carer.
What truly matters is careful vetting: background checks, references, and ensuring the carer’s experience, character and compatibility match your family’s needs. A responsible care provider like Elder (even if not CQC-registered) can still connect you with excellent carers you can meet, interview and approve.
No problem, it can happen. Give us a call and we’ll organise a replacement carer quickly, at no additional cost. Most families usually receive new matches within 24 hours.
If your mum’s carer is not available for the new dates, we’ll let you know and guide you on what to do next. With Elder, you can explore new carer profiles through Elder’s matching platform. This gives you the flexibility to continue care with someone familiar or to meet new carers who best fit your needs.
Yes. Interviewing a live-in carer before confirming a placement is one of the best ways to ensure compatibility.
At Elder, we encourage families to speak with carers directly so you can ask questions about experience, routines, personality, and care approach. This helps you feel reassured and ensures the carer will be a comfortable, supportive presence in the home.
Learn more about 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