Dementia care
Live-in care is often what keeps somebody with dementia at home for longest.
Dementia care →Quality care, round the clock.
ISS live-in care offers round-the-clock help from the comfort of your own home while taking some of the pressure off your shoulders. Our caregivers live with you in your home to provide assistance, companionship and management while you enjoy your day-to-day routine with more independence.
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What it is
One carer. Your home. Every hour of the day.
A live-in carer moves into your home and lives there alongside you — typically on a rota of two weeks on, two weeks off, shared between a small team of two or three carers so that nobody is a stranger.
They are not a housekeeper and they are not a nurse. They are the person who is simply there: at 3am when you cannot sleep, at 8am when you need help to get up, at 2pm when you fancy going out, and at 7pm when the house goes quiet and the day needs closing.
You are our priority, and so our live-in care services are tailored to your individual needs and preferences. Our live-in care plan is customised just for you — what time you get up, what you like to eat, who visits, and how much you want to do for yourself.
Live-in vs. visiting care
Which one is right for you?
Neither is better. They answer different questions. If you are unsure, describe a difficult day to us and we will tell you honestly which fits.
| Visiting care | Live-in care | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical pattern | One or more visits a day, from 30 minutes upwards | A carer is present in your home day and night |
| Best suited to | People who are largely independent but need help with specific tasks | People who should not be left alone, or whose needs are unpredictable |
| Night-time | Only if you specifically book a night visit | Covered as standard, waking or sleeping |
| Continuity | A small team, usually 2–4 carers | A rotating pair or trio, with handovers written down |
| Your own home | Both keep you at home. Neither involves moving into a care home. | |
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How it is arranged
Four steps, and no surprises
- A conversation. We talk through your needs, your home, and what you want a normal day to look like. There is no charge for this and no obligation.
- A tailored care plan. Written with you and, if you wish, your family. It covers personal care, meals, medication, appointments, housekeeping and — importantly — what you want to keep doing yourself.
- Meeting your carer. We introduce you to the person who will be moving in before they start, so the first day is not a stranger arriving with a suitcase.
- Regular reviews. Live-in arrangements need tuning as needs change. We review with you and adjust the plan rather than letting it drift.
What a live-in carer does
The full picture, honestly drawn
What your carer will do
- Personal care — washing, dressing, bathing, continence
- Preparing meals and drinks, and clearing away afterwards
- Prompting and administering medication
- Laundry, ironing and light housekeeping
- Shopping, prescriptions and errands
- Appointments, outings and companionship
- Night-time support and reassurance
- Keeping a written daily record
What a live-in carer is not
- Not a registered nurse — clinical care stays with the district nurse
- Not a 24-hour awake carer, unless you book waking nights
- Not a housekeeper for the whole family home
- Not a substitute for family contact, which matters as much as ever
- Not on duty every hour of a 24-hour day — they need rest, legally and practically
- Not a decision-maker; you remain in charge of your own life
About costsLive-in care is usually arranged in weekly blocks rather than by the hour, and the amount depends on the level of support you need. We do not publish figures here because quoting without seeing your situation would be misleading. There may also be funding available through your local authority or the NHS. Call 01268 964605 and we will talk you through it.
Read next
All our services
Personal, social and domestic visiting care, if live-in is more than you need.
See our services →About us
Who we are, and the CQC registration behind the service.
About us →Let's talk
Would live-in care work in your home?
It depends on the house as much as the person. Tell us about yours and we will give you a straight answer.