Live-in Care

Live-in care offers a reassuring alternative to residential care for people who wish to remain in the comfort of their own home but need ongoing support to do so safely. It involves a trained and dedicated care professional living in your home to provide personalised support tailored to your individual needs and routines.

Whether support is needed on a short-term or long-term basis, live-in care can help with everyday tasks, provide companionship, and promote independence — all while allowing you to continue living life in familiar surroundings.

• You’ll gain a companion as well as a one-to-one carer.
• Keep your independence by staying in your own home.
• Couples can remain living together, plus you won’t have to move away from family and pets.
• Peace of mind for everyone involved that your trained live-in carer is always at hand.
• Safety – reducing falls risk and maintaining mobility.
• Better quality of life and freedom.
• Cost effective alternative to residential care

Candlelight Care Live-in provides a flexible and personalised service, tailored to an individual’s needs and circumstances. As every care arrangement is unique, the support provided by your live-in care worker will vary accordingly. They will become an important part of your daily life, working closely with you and alongside any other healthcare professionals involved in your care.

Typically, a live-in care worker can assist with personal care, household tasks, food shopping and meal preparation, as well as offering companionship, emotional support, and help with maintaining independence at home.

A care worker’s standard working day begins at 7:00am and ends at 10:00pm, with a daily break of 2½ hours, usually taken between 2:00pm and 4:30pm. The live-in care service includes up to one night-time call-out of up to 30 minutes per night if assistance is required. Where there is a regular need for more than two call-outs per night, additional night care arrangements may be required to ensure the wellbeing of both the client and the care worker.

• To ensure the comfort and wellbeing of your live-in care worker, suitable accommodation and facilities must be provided, including:
• A private bedroom with a bed, clean bedding, a chair, adequate storage for personal belongings, heating, and access to a television or radio, ensuring privacy and personal space.
• Access to a bathroom with a bath and/or shower, toilet, washbasin, heating, and a lockable door for privacy.
• Access to a kitchen with appropriate facilities for preparing meals and carrying out laundry tasks.
• Access to a television and a reliable internet connection.

We are committed to being transparent about our fees and will explain all costs in detail during your initial assessment. The fees are divided into two separate elements: the care workers’ fee and Candlelight Care Live-in’s management fee.

The level of fees is determined by the amount and complexity of support required and will be discussed and agreed with you before a care worker is introduced and the service begins.

For payment of the care worker’s fee, your care worker will submit a weekly invoice, which is typically settled by bank transfer. You will also receive a separate monthly invoice from Candlelight Care Live-in for the management fee, and a direct debit arrangement can be set up for your convenience.

We understand that pets are part of the family. If you would like your care worker to help look after them, please let us know during your assessment. Many of our care workers are happy to help with pets, but this would be arranged privately between you, with any additional costs agreed in advance.

We aim to keep the arrangements as simple and straightforward as possible. As your live-in care worker is self-employed, you are not responsible for managing or paying their Income Tax or National Insurance contributions.

There are, however, a few important responsibilities that remain with you as the client:

• Paying your care worker promptly at the end of each weekly booking period.
• Paying Candlelight Care Live-in management fees in accordance with the agreed payment terms.
• Providing a safe and suitable working environment for your care worker.
• Ensuring that any equipment, aids, or adaptations used in the home are correctly installed, regularly maintained, and serviced where required.

This may sound like a lot, but do not worry, Candlelight Care will support you every step of the way from your initial assessment, through regular reviews, providing guidance on any questions you may have.

As part of our service, Candlelight Care Live-in will carry out a free, no-obligation assessment, ideally in your own home. This allows us to gain a full understanding of your individual circumstances, including your medical and personal background, the support and care you require, as well as your daily routines, preferences, and lifestyle.

The assessment helps us ensure that we can provide a care worker who is well suited to your needs and can deliver the right level of support from the outset.

To enable us to set up your care safely and effectively, we will ask you to provide signed copies of our Terms and Conditions, Financial Authority Form, and Medication Agreement Form. Where applicable, we will also require copies of any Lasting Power of Attorney documentation.

Yes. We believe regular, open communication is essential. We carry out reviews in your home so you and your family can tell us how things are going. Your feedback helps us maintain a high-quality service and make improvements where needed.

Our registered care workers are fully trained, knowledgeable professionals from a range of cultures and backgrounds. At Candlelight Care Live-in, we value diversity, respect and teamwork, with everyone working towards the same goal: providing the best possible care and support for our clients.

If your care worker needs time off for holiday or sickness, they will let us know and we will arrange suitable cover. Your care will continue without interruption.

Candlelight Care Live-in will do its best to match you with a care worker based on shared interests, personality and your individual needs. New care arrangements usually begin with a two-week trial period, during which we gather feedback from everyone involved. If the arrangement is not right, we will use that feedback to find a suitable replacement.