Transforming Care: Moving from Residential Homes to Live-In Care

In our next blog, we’re excited to share our top tips for moving a loved one from a residential care home to live-in care. 

Having worked with numerous home care clients, both past and present, we understand more than anyone, the challenges and emotions that come with this kind of transition. 

With our wealth of experience, we will share with you valuable insights on what to look for in a live-in carer, as well as practical advice to ensure a seamless changeover from residential care to home care. 

Our dedicated live-in carers have also shared their expertise to help make this process as smooth as possible for you and your loved one. Read on to find out more!

Access Care Explains: What is a Residential Care Home?

A traditional residential care home is a facility that provides their residents with accommodation and support with daily activities. The residents who live in a residential care home facility do not usually need the level of medical care that is typically offered by a hospital or a nursing home. 

Residential care homes tend to cater to elderly residents, they often offer services such as personal care, meals, and social activities in a communal living environment. 

Although residential care homes can provide their residents with a sense of community and companion care, they may not always offer the personalised support that comes with live-in care. 

The transition from a residential care home to live-in care can give someone a greater sense of independence and a tailored support system that aligns more closely with their personal needs and preferences.

Signs That Might Mean a Change of Care Type is Needed for Your Loved One

Deciding to move from a residential care home to live-in care can be brought on by several key signs that your loved one may benefit from a change in their support system. 

Below you will find some of the key signs that you should look out for:

1. Declining Health: If you are noticing that your loved one’s physical or mental health is on the decline, they may need more personalised and attentive care that could be better provided through a live-in carer.

2. Increased Isolation: A noticeable increase in feelings of loneliness or isolation can often highlight that the communal living environment is no longer an ideal fit for your loved one’s emotional well-being, suggesting that one-on-one support from a home carer may be beneficial to them.

3. Loss of Autonomy: If your loved one expresses a desire for more independence or control over their own daily routines and lifestyle, live-in care can offer them the bespoke help and support that they need to maintain their personal choices.

4. Unsatisfactory Care: If you have concerns over the quality of the care that your loved one is receiving in the residential care home setting, such as insufficient attention to personal needs or complaints about staff members, it may be time to consider a change to live-in care.

5. Inability to Participate in Activities: If your loved one is not able to take part in any social activities or hobbies that bring them joy due to them being in a residential care setting, this can highlight a need for a more flexible living arrangement for them.

By recognising these signs you can make informed decisions about your loved one’s care and make sure that they receive the help and support that best suits their needs and their own personal preferences.

Access Care Explains: What is Live-In Care?

Live-in care refers to a special arrangement where a private carer lives in their home care client’s own home, providing assistance with daily activities while ensuring companionship and emotional support. 

This unique care model means people are able to maintain their independence in an environment that is familiar to them, offering them flexibility and a customised approach to care that caters specifically to their own unique needs. 

Live-in carers are trained professionals who support their home care client with various tasks, such as personal hygiene, meal preparation, medication management, and mobility support. 

By building a strong one-on-one relationship with their live-in care client, carers are able to really enhance the quality of life for the client who is receiving their care, making them feel more comfortable and secure in their own home.

The Key Features of Live-In Care

• Personalised Care: One-to-one attention that is specifically designed around the home care client’s individual needs, preferences and lifestyle.

• Familiar Environment: Live-in care clients are able to stay in their own homes, maintaining their own personal daily routines and comfort.

• Comprehensive Support: Help and assistance with personal care, household tasks, meal preparation, medication prompts, and much more.

Reasons to Move from a Residential Care Home to Live-In Care

There are many reasons that a family of a loved one who is living in a residential care home might feel that a move to live-in care could benefit them. 

Below are some of the most common reasons that we have come across as a live-in carer agency: 

• Enhanced Personalisation: Live-in care allows for tailored care solutions that are specifically designed around the home care client’s preferences and routines. Unlike residential care homes, where schedules are often set by the facility, live-in care provides flexibility to cater to the unique desires and needs of the live-in care client.

• Increased Independence: Live-in care clients who are being supported by a live-in carer experience a greater sense of independence by staying in their own homes. They can keep up their daily habits and routines without the restrictions often found in a care home setting.

• Stronger Relationships: With a dedicated live-in carer around,  clients can naturally and quickly build a trusting one-on-one relationship with them. This can massively improve their emotional well-being, as the familiarity and bonding enhance the overall quality of care.

• Continual Companion Care: Live-in care offers social engagement and companionship throughout the day, helping to lessen any feelings of loneliness and isolation that can naturally be felt by residents living in residential care homes. This constant presence can lead to better mental health outcomes.

• Familiar Surroundings: Staying in a familiar environment contributes to emotional stability and comfort for clients. It can help reduce anxiety associated with moving to a new place and can also prevent disorientation that might arise in a new setting.

• Focus on Holistic Well-being: Live-in carers can support not just their home care client’s physical needs but also emotional and social well-being. This holistic approach ensures that all aspects of a person's health are addressed comprehensively.

Top Tips for a Smooth Transition

Making the move from a residential care home to live-in care can be a big change for both the live-in care client and their family. As a live-in carer agency with 30 years of experience under our belts, we understand that this can be a tricky process to get right, and one that can cause a family some anxiety. But fear not as below we have listed some of our best tried and tested tips to help make this transition a seamless and smooth one for both you and your loved one.

Here are some essential tips to help ensure a seamless transition from a residential care home to live-in care:

1. Open Communication: Engage in open discussions with your loved one about the move. Be sure to talk about any concerns they may have and reassure them about the support they will receive. This open dialogue can help to reduce any fears and build enthusiasm about the new arrangement.

2. Involve Them in the Decision-Making Process: Involve your loved one in choosing their live-in carer, if possible. Allow them to meet potential home carers and express their preferences.

3. Prepare the Home Environment: Make sure that your loved one’s home is ready for the arrival of their new live-in carer. This includes arranging personal belongings, creating a comfortable space for the live-in carer, and making sure that any necessary medical equipment is also ready and in place.

4. Develop a Comprehensive Care Plan: Work with the live-in carer to establish care solutions that considers your loved ones individual and unique needs, preferences, and their daily routines. Their care schedule should also outline all of their emergency contacts and any medical requirements to allow the live-in carer to be able to support them fully.

5. Gradual Transition: If at all possible, you could consider a phased approach to the transition. Start with short visits from the live-in carer and then work on gradually increasing their time spent in your loved one’s home with them. This gives your loved one a chance to adapt at their own pace and build rapport with the live-in carer.

6. Encourage Social Interaction: Promote social engagement by planning some activities that both the live-in carer and your loved one can both have fun and enjoy together. This could include things like hobbies, outings, or even regular phone calls with family and friends to maintain their connections.

7. Monitor and Adjust: After the move to live-in care, be sure to keep an open line of communication with your loved one and the live-in carer. Regular check-ins can help identify any areas for improvement and make sure that the care provided is meeting everyone’s expectations.

By following our top Access Care tips, families can help make the transition from a residential care home to live-in care as smooth and positive as possible, ultimately helping to make sure that their loved one receives the very best possible help and support in their own home.

Comprehensive List of Tasks a Live-In Carer Can Help With

Live-in carers are fully trained to help and support their home care clients with a wide range of tasks that cater to their physical, emotional, and social needs. 

Below we have written out a comprehensive list of tasks that a live-in carer can help their home care client with:

• Personal Care: Help and support with bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting to ensure personal hygiene and comfort.

• Meal Preparation: Planning and cooking tasty and healthy meals in line  with any dietary preferences and restrictions that their live-in care client may have.

• Medication Management: Reminders for medication schedules and help with administering medications as prescribed by healthcare professionals.

• Mobility Support: Helping their live-in care client with walking, transferring them from one place to another, and helping them to use mobility aids to promote their independence.

• Household Duties: Light housekeeping tasks, including ironing, laundry, cleaning, and maintaining a tidy and comfortable living space.

• Companion Care: Providing emotional support and engaging in conversation to combat any feelings of loneliness and help to build social connections.

• Transportation Assistance: Organising and supporting their live-in care clients on trips to appointments, social events, or errands, helping their clients to maintain an active lifestyle.

• Recreational Activities: Taking part in fun hobbies, games, and outings that promote mental and emotional well-being.

• Emergency Response: Acting quickly and efficiently in case of emergencies, helping to make sure their safety and health are prioritised.

• Coordination with Healthcare Providers: Liaising with doctors, therapists, and other health professionals to keep the care plan up to date and effectively managed.

By providing this extensive range of support, live-in carers play an invaluable role in helping to enhance the quality of life for those they help, making sure that their clients can enjoy their daily activities with dignity and comfort.

Conditions Live-in Carers Can Support With

Live-in carers are trained and capable of offering help and support for a variety of health conditions, making sure that their home care clients receive tailored assistance based on their own personal support needs.

Many live-in carers actually specialise in providing live-in care to clients with particular conditions (such as live-in carers who specialise in dementia care at home, or those that specialise in parkinson's care etc). It is a great idea to find out if a potential live-in carer that you are considering for your loved one has any specialist training and if that works with your loved one’s needs.

Below we have detailed a list of conditions that live-in carers can effectively support (not all encompassing):

• Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: Live-in carers can provide specialised care focusing on their home care client’s safety, routine maintenance, and cognitive engagement to help manage the symptoms that are often associated with memory-related conditions (such as Dementia, Alzheimers, etc.).

• Parkinson’s Disease: Help and support their live-in care client with their mobility, prescribed medication management, and daily routine tasks, while also offering encouragement and support for physical exercises which is crucial in maintaining their overall movement and coordination levels.

• Stroke Recovery: Aid in the rehabilitation process of their live-in care client through tailored exercises, special meal planning, and supporting them with their speech and communication, facilitating a supportive environment for a good and quick recovery.

• Chronic Illnesses: Support home care clients with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis by managing medications, monitoring symptoms, and facilitating lifestyle adjustments for improved health outcomes.

• Physical Disabilities: Help their live-in care client with personal care, mobility support, and household tasks, making sure that their client can keep their independence while also receiving the necessary help and assistance.

• Mental Health Conditions: Provide companion care and emotional support for those live-in care clients who may be living with symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, creating an environment that encourages and helps their mental well-being.

• Palliative and End-of-Life Care: Offer compassionate live-in care and support for home care clients with terminal illnesses, prioritising their comfort, dignity, and quality of life during this sensitive time.

By understanding and addressing these health conditions, live-in carers play a key role in enhancing the overall well-being of their live-in care clients, helping to promote their independence and dignity throughout the live-in care process.

Organisations to Get Support From for Your Loved One Moving to Live-In Care

Transitioning to live-in care can seem like a really big step, and various organisations can provide you with valuable support and resources during this process. 

Here are some key organisations who can provide you with help and support during this time:

• Age UK: This national charity offers advice and support for older people, including information on all care types, (inc. live-in care), funding options, and connecting families with local services.

• Alzheimer's Society: This organisation provides support specifically for families dealing with dementia, offering resources, advice, and guidance on finding suitable care.

• Local Councils: Local government websites often have dedicated sections for adult care services that are found in the local area, including information on available resources and support for individuals transitioning to live-in care.

• Carers UK: This charity supports unpaid carers by offering them advice, information, and resources on caring for a loved one, they can also give valuable guidance on accessing additional support services.

• Community Health Services: Many communities have health services that provide care assessments and recommendations for care, ensuring their needs are met holistically.

By connecting with these organisations, families can gain essential help, support and guidance to help to make sure that it is a smooth transition to live-in care for their loved ones.

Why We Are Experts in Live-In Care

At Access Care, we have been arranging professional live-in care services across the UK since we started in 1994. 

Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our rigorous vetting process when on-boarding our live-in carers. We make sure that each live-in carer is not only qualified but is also a perfect match for the live-in care client's unique personality and needs.

Access Care: Our Difference

• Expertise: We are a family business and we have over 30 years of experience as a  live-in care agency in the United Kingdom.

• Personalised Matching: We find a live-in carer that suits your loved ones' unique personality and specific home care requirements.

• 24/7 Support: 24 hour live-in care support and assistance bringing you peace of mind.

• Cost-Effective: Affordable rates compared to traditional residential care home options.

How to Contact Us at Access Care

At Access Care, we understand that communication is so important when it comes to arranging the best live-in care services for your loved ones. If you have any questions for us, need any further information, or would just like to have a chat with us about how we can tailor our live-in care services to meet your loved one’s specific needs, we are here to help you. 

Our friendly and knowledgeable team is dedicated to ensuring that you receive the help, support and guidance that is necessary to make the very best, informed decisions regarding live-in care.

You can reach us directly at 01264 319 399, we are ready and waiting to walk you through our live-in care services. Whether you want to inquire about the types of live-in care that we provide, have a question about our pricing options, or simply get some advice about live-in care, we are just a phone call away. 

We value every opportunity to connect with families and understand their unique situations, which enables us to provide the most relevant information and support based on individual needs and requirements.

You can also reach out to us via email at hello@Access-care.co.uk, where one of our team members will pick up your email and respond back as soon as possible.

Would Your Loved One Benefit From a Move to Live-In Care?

Moving a loved one from a residential care home to live-in care can really work to enhance their quality of life. By following our expert Access Care tips and understanding the plethora of benefits that you get when choosing live-in care for your loved one, you can ensure a smooth and positive transition. 

Here at Access Care, we are so dedicated to providing exceptional live-in care services tailored to yours or your loved one’s unique live-in care needs. 

Explore our live-in care services today, on our website or by giving us a call (or email!), and discover the peace of mind that comes with knowing your loved one is in the very capable hands of an Access Care live-in carer.