Researching care options can feel overwhelming, especially with so many services available. Live-in care gives you ongoing support in your own home, with a carer who stays with you and works around your routines, preferences and needs.
With over 35 years’ experience in home care, Patricia White’s understands how personal this decision can be. We take time to understand what matters to you before introducing carers who have the right experience and who we believe will be a good fit for your way of life.
What is live-in care?
Live-in care means a carer stays in your home for an agreed placement, providing support throughout the day while having their own time to rest.
It can be a good option if you need help at several points during the day, would value more continuity than visiting care can provide, or simply want to remain in familiar surroundings with support close at hand.
Your carer can help with personal care, mobility, meals, household tasks, companionship and everyday routines. Support can also be arranged for people living with conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s or the effects of a stroke, depending on the carer’s experience and the individual’s needs.
If you would like to understand what the arrangement looks like from day to day, read our guide to how live-in care works.
Patricia White’s is an introductory care agency
Patricia White’s provides an introductory live-in care service. We interview and vet self-employed carers, including DBS, right-to-work and professional reference checks, before introducing suitable carers to you.
You then choose the carer you feel comfortable with, agree the terms of the arrangement directly with them and manage the day-to-day care yourself.
This gives you greater flexibility and control over how your care is arranged. It also means Patricia White’s does not direct or supervise the care provided and is not CQC-registered as a care provider.
If you would prefer an agency to manage the care arrangement on an ongoing basis, including regulated oversight, our sister company Trinity Homecare provides a fully managed service. Our guide to introductory vs fully managed live-in care explains the difference in more detail.
Standard Live-in Care
We offer live-in assistance for those needing standard care. This can include proactive support with bathing, dressing, grooming and oral hygiene; help moving around the home and using mobility aids; practical support with meals and household routines; companionship; and support for people living with conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s or the effects of a stroke.
A live-in carer can also help you continue with the things that matter to you, whether that means going out, keeping up with hobbies, seeing friends or simply following the routine you prefer.
Live-in Care+
Our Care+ service includes the support available through Standard Live-in Care, with a greater level of hands-on assistance where needed.
This may include more active help with personal care, eating and drinking, continence-related routines and mobility. Where someone has more complex needs, we will discuss the exact support required and consider whether an introductory arrangement is suitable and whether the proposed carer has the relevant experience.
Three simple steps to receiving exemplary care
Bespoke care tailored to your needs
At Patricia White’s, we never underestimate the importance of matching the right carer with the right client. Your carer needs to be someone you can trust, get along with and feel comfortable welcoming into your home.
When matching carers to clients, we consider your needs and the carer’s individual experience, your interests and common ground, and personality traits and social engagements.
We pay attention to the finer details because we know they can make all the difference in a live-in arrangement. If you are not comfortable with a proposed carer, we can revisit the match and consider other suitable introductions.
We can also help arrange care for couples, respite care and support for people living with dementia.
How much does live-in care cost?
Live-in care with Patricia White’s typically costs from £1,400 a week. The total cost will depend on the individual arrangement, the level of support required and any additional costs that apply.
Because our carers are self-employed, you pay your carer directly for their services. A separate agency fee is paid to Patricia White’s for arranging introductions and providing ongoing matching support. Registration, travel, food, household costs and additional overnight support may also need to be considered.
All the details are agreed in advance so you understand the arrangement before committing. Read our cost of live-in care guide for a fuller breakdown or speak to the team for a personalised quotation.
Live-in care vs a care home
For many people, the decision is not simply whether they need care, but where they would prefer that care to be provided.
Live-in care allows you to stay in your own home, surrounded by familiar belongings, routines, neighbours and local connections. Support can be shaped around the way you already live, rather than requiring you to move into a new environment.
A care home can offer a managed residential setting, a wider staff team and shared facilities. For some people, that may be the better fit.
Neither option is right for everyone. Your needs, preferences, home environment and how much responsibility you want for arranging care should all be part of the decision.
You can explore the differences in more detail in our guide to live-in care as an alternative to care homes.
Bringing Elizabeth home
Elizabeth’s family faced this decision after she had moved into a care home. They later chose to bring her back to her own home, with Patricia White’s introducing two experienced live-in carers to support the arrangement.
Her story is a useful example of how live-in care can work when remaining at home is important to the person and their family. Read the full Bringing Elizabeth Home case study.
Live-in Care Frequently Asked Questions
A live-in carer needs their own bedroom with space to store their belongings. Carers would also need to be provided with food and reasonable access to household facilities.
You do not usually need to make major changes to your home, but it is worth thinking about privacy, shared spaces, daily routines and anything the carer may need to know before their placement begins.
Our live-in carers are available across the UK, subject to suitable carer availability. Depending on their visa status and the arrangement, some may also be able to accompany clients when travelling.
For visiting care, our carers cover selected areas of Central London. Explore the areas we cover to see which services are available in your location.
Occasional support at night can be agreed during a live-in care assignment and may incur an additional waking fee.
If multiple waking episodes are needed, the carer may require additional rest during the day or a separate night carer may be more appropriate. You can read more about overnight care and the different options available.
With an introductory arrangement, you are responsible for managing cover. Patricia White’s can assist with further introductions if your usual carer is unavailable, although cover will depend on suitable carer availability.
Yes, in some circumstances one live-in carer may be able to support two people living together. The needs of each person should be considered separately, so the right arrangement and cost will depend on the support each person requires.
Find out more about couple care at home.
Yes, live-in care can be suitable for someone living with dementia, depending on their individual needs and the carer’s relevant experience.
Remaining in familiar surroundings can help preserve established routines and the person can receive support with personal care, meals, companionship and everyday activities.
Find out more about dementia care at home.
No. A live-in carer is based in your home, but they are not expected to work continuously for 24 hours. They need suitable breaks and rest. If regular waking support is needed overnight, a separate arrangement may be required.
You may be eligible for financial support depending on your needs, finances and where you live. Your local authority can explain whether you may qualify for help following an assessment, and some people with significant health-related needs may be eligible for NHS-funded support.
Our guide to funding live-in care explains some of the options in more detail.
Talk to our dedicated team of experts today
The standards set by Patricia White 35 years ago still remain today. Call our experienced team today on 01293 224712 to discuss your home care needs and receive a free no obligation quotation.
Or feel free to send us a message using our online enquiry form and a member of our expert care team will get back to you as soon as possible, typically within 24 hours.
