Live-in care - the better care home alternative

Live-in care works by having a dedicated carer move into your loved one’s home to provide one-to-one support, day and night.

Live-in carers can assist with daily tasks, personal care and companionship, helping your loved one stay safe, comfortable and independent in their own home.

Live-in carers can support with:

• Household tasks (cleaning, laundry, cooking, errands)
• Personal care (washing, dressing, toileting, mobility support)
• Companionship and social support
• Medication reminders
• Night-time support
• Looking after pets and helping with outings.

Live-in carers can’t support with:

• Ventilation or oxygen support (e.g. CPAP or BiPAP)
• Specialist drug administration
• Stoma care
• PEG care
• Wound care

To learn more, read our guide on what live-in carers can do.

It’s simple to get started. Once you’ve created your MyElder account, you’ll be asked to complete some quick clinical suitability questions and submit a ‘Care Request’. This usually takes less than 10 minutes and helps us understand your care needs to match you with the right live-in carer.

You’ll be asked about:

• The name, age, and location of the person needing care
• Any medical conditions
• Mobility levels
• Hobbies and interests
• Discrimination risk.

Using your answers, our ElderMatch technology shortlists suitable self-employed carers. You’ll typically receive profiles within 24 hours.

Each carer profile includes details about their experience, background, and feedback from other families. You’ll also see a short introductory video to help you get a feel for their personality and approach.

You can:

• Invite other family members or decision-makers to your MyElder account
• Chat directly with carers through the platform
• Arrange phone or video calls to get to know them better.

Not sure what to ask a potential carer? We’ve put together some helpful questions. Once you’ve found the right carer for your needs, simply click ‘Accept’ on their profile to move forward. For more advice, read our guide to how to choose a live-in carer.

We know how important it is to feel confident in the carer supporting your loved one. That’s why every self-employed carer on the Elder platform must pass a suitability screening before joining. This includes:

• Professional care experience – Carers must have previous experience in a professional setting, such as a private home, care home, or healthcare facility. We don’t accept personal or family-only care experience.
• Strong communication skills – A good level of written and spoken English is essential.
• Proof of identity – Carers must provide valid photo ID and have the Right to Work in the UK.
• Background checks – All carers must be eligible to pass an enhanced DBS check (England and Wales).
• References – Carers are required to supply at least two verifiable professional references.
• Screening assessments – Each carer completes a series of situational judgment and character assessments to help us understand their approach to care.

Yes, you can arrange care with more than one self-employed carer through Elder. For example, if you need separate carers for daytime and nighttime support, simply submit a separate Care Request for each arrangement.

Be sure to clearly outline the specific needs each carer will be supporting with, so we can match you with the most suitable individuals for each role.

Thanks to our nationwide network of self-employed carers, we’re often able to arrange live-in care within 24 hours. In urgent cases, we’ve even matched families with a suitable carer on the same day.

Yes, absolutely. If you or your loved one has a preference for a male or female carer, just let us know when submitting your care request.

Yes. All self-employed carers on our platform are required to have a good standard of written and spoken English to ensure clear communication and high-quality care.

If you’d prefer a carer who also speaks another language, just let us know – we’ll do our best to match you with someone who meets your needs.

Yes. To help the live-in carer settle in and feel comfortable, you’ll need to provide:

• A private room – Ideally a bedroom that isn’t used by other family members or as a walkthrough. If a bedroom isn’t available, a spare reception room or study can be adapted, as long as it’s a private and quiet space.
• Access to a bathroom – The carer doesn’t need their own bathroom, but clean, functional facilities are essential. If the bathroom is shared, there should be space for the carer to store personal toiletries.
• WiFi access – A reliable internet connection helps carers stay in touch with Elder, access care resources, and communicate with family, especially important in rural areas with poor phone signals.

Live-in carers usually prepare and share meals with the person they’re supporting, so there’s no need for separate dining arrangements. We recommend budgeting around £40 per week to cover the cost of the carer’s food. If you prefer, this can be included in your weekly payments through Elder.

Some carers may have specific dietary requirements and may choose to buy their own food instead. We suggest discussing food preferences and arrangements directly with your chosen carer to ensure a setup that works for everyone.

Yes, live-in care can be especially beneficial for individuals living with dementia. Staying in familiar surroundings helps reduce confusion and distress. Carers can provide dedicated support tailored to your loved one’s needs and routines. Read our guide to live-in dementia care for more information.

If the match isn’t right, we will offer a replacement carer at no extra cost. Simply give us a call and we’ll work quickly to present you with new carer matches, usually within 24 hours.

Absolutely. You can ask about their motivation, training, past experience, approach to emergencies, and how they build relationships with those they care for.