SUE AND HER MUM
“As the Alzheimer's advanced she was less able and needed more care, but we were able to stay in her own home and she was happy with that.“
What does a live-in carer do?
A live-in carer moves into your loved one's home to provide day-and-night support. That includes personal care, household tasks, medication reminders and companionship. At Elder, we match families with experienced carers, so you can find the right fit.
Find a carer0333 920 3648
What can a live-in carer help with?
From everyday companionship to more complex needs – here’s what a carer introduced through Elder can support with, and where their role has limits.
What live-in carers can do
- Personal care, e.g. help with washing, toileting, and prompting medication
- Dressing and grooming, e.g. shaving and hairstyling
- Meal preparation, e.g. cooking meals to dietary requirements and tastes
- Light housekeeping, e.g. vacuuming, keeping surfaces clean and doing laundry
- Running errands, e.g. going to the shops or picking up prescriptions
- Companionship, e.g. providing company and encouraging hobbies and interests
- Pet care, e.g. feeding and exercising pets
- Mobility support, e.g. encouraging gentle and suitable exercise
- Light gardening, e.g. watering flowers and keeping pathways clear
- Admin support, e.g. keeping on top of post, paperwork, and appointments
- Medication prompting, e.g. ensuring medication is taken correctly
What live-in carers can't do
- Ventilation and oxygen support, e.g. BiPAP or CPAP Support
- Specialist drug administration, including Controlled Drug Administration, Covert Medication Administration, Glucose readings via finger pricks, Injections, Pessaries, Enemas, Suppositories
- Stoma care
- PEG care
- Wound care
Can live-in carers provide specialist care?
Many live-in carers are trained or experienced in condition-specific care, including:
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s
- Parkinson’s
- Stroke aftercare and rehabilitation
- Palliative and end-of-life care.
Specialist carers maintain routines, provide reassurance, reduce anxiety, and support memory, all within the familiar home environment.
Live-in carers for dementia patients
A dementia-trained carer can help maintain day-to-day routines, minimise stress, and provide ongoing reassurance, helping your loved one stay at home safely.
Learn more about dementia care.
Ready to arrange care?
Start online in minutes to find your ideal carer.
Need guidance?
One of our Care Advisors is on hand to talk it through.
REAL FAMILIES, REAL STORIES
Families like yours
Every arrangement is different. Here are some of the families whose lives have changed since finding care through Elder.
KENN AND NICOLE’S PARENTS
“It's just like a sense of relief really that you've got, you know, someone's here, they're going to be OK. So it's just all about that, about just peace of mind I guess.“
SHARON AND HER MUM
“It gave me peace of mind. My mum lives 130 miles away from me. It made my life easier, I wasn't getting stressed thinking my mum was on her own.“
How many hours does a live-in carer work?
Live-in carers generally provide daytime support plus overnight presence, with scheduled breaks:
- Active support (daytime): Typically up to 10 hours per day for personal care, meals, companionship, medication reminder, mobility, errands, and household tasks.
- Overnight presence: Carers reside in the home to assist with bathroom visits, reassurance, or unexpected needs.
- Carer’s sleeping space: Your loved one's home will need a private bedroom, or an adapted space such as a converted room, for the carer to sleep in.
- Breaks: Even when living on-site, carers typically take a minimum of two hours of break time during the day, when it's safe to do so, on top of overnight rest.
- Respite care: If a carer needs time off, a qualified respite carer can step in so care continues uninterrupted.
Types of live-in carers available with Elder
Full-time live-in carers
Daily support with overnight presence.
Short-term live-in carers
Ideal for recovery, respite, post-hospital care, or holiday cover.
Night carers
Focused on overnight reassurance, fall prevention, and late-evening support.
What a live-in carer doesn't do
The self-employed carers Elder introduces aren't nursing professionals. They don't:
- Carry out nurse-led tasks like advanced wound care, stoma care, or PEG care
- Go beyond basic catheter care, limited to emptying the leg bag and attaching a night bag
- Take any action that restricts your loved one's freedom, such as preventing them from leaving their home
Where live-in carers introduced by Elder work
Across Great Britain, Elder can help find a live-in carer who does all this for your loved one: personal care, household tasks, medication reminders and companionship. We introduce carers to families in over 500 towns and cities, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.
See more of the areas we cover. Don't see your town listed? Get in touch, we likely cover it too.
Find a carer0333 920 3648Why Elder
Why families choose Elder for finding the right live-in carer
Since 2015, Elder has helped families across the UK find the right live-in carer for their loved ones. Every carer is self-employed, so you choose who joins your home, not a rota decided for you. It's a more personal way to arrange care, built around your loved one's needs from day one.
You choose who comes into your home
Browse real carer profiles, read reviews from families like yours, speak to carers before committing, and make the choice yourself. Nobody is ever assigned to you without your agreement.
15,000+ five-star reviews of carers introduced by Elder
More than 15,000 people have reviewed our carers on the platform, helping you pick the best carer for your loved one. Read what they say – because their words matter more than ours.
Real peace of mind, wherever you are
Daily updates, notes and photos from your carer through the MyElder app mean you always know what’s happening – without having to chase. Especially if you live far away.
The whole family, kept in the loop
Give siblings or other relatives their own access to MyElder – so everyone stays informed, not just the person who set care up. No more relaying updates between family members.
A real person to call, seven days a week
Your dedicated Family Support Specialist is there when things feel uncertain – whether you have a practical question, need reassurance, or something needs sorting quickly.
Rigorous vetting before introduction
Every carer goes through identity checks, Enhanced DBS or PVG checks, right-to-work verification, and professional references – all completed before they’re introduced to a family.
Learn more about live-in carers and what they do
Live-in care vs other types of care
Confused about care options? Compare live-in care vs care homes, nursing homes and other care types to help you decide what's best for your loved one.
Learn more
How to find the right live-in carer for your loved one
Find the perfect live-in carer for your loved one. Learn how to identify needs, vet professionals, and ensure a perfect match for your loved one.
Learn more
How much does live-in care cost?
Discover how much live in care costs, what’s included, what influences pricing, and funding options available to help you make the best choice for your loved one.
Learn more
How to prepare for a live-in caregiver
Preparing for a live-in carer to move into your loved one's home? Get essential tips on space, finances, and routine to ensure a smooth transition.
Learn more
Managed or introductory agency – which is right for me?
Comparing a managed care agency to an introductory agency like Elder? Compare cost, control and support to find what suits best.
Learn more
Help for caregivers – accepting support from others
We've shared reasons why it can be difficult to give up your caregiving responsibilities, as well as the benefits of doing so.
Learn moreFAQs
Still have questions?0333 920 3648