Two households with identical diagnoses can need completely different care models. This is a straight comparison of hourly visiting care and live-in care — including the point at which stacking more visits stops making sense.
Visiting care suits people who are broadly independent but need specific tasks covered at specific times — morning medication, a hot meal, a bath, a settle at bedtime. It is flexible, it is the cheapest entry point at £22 per hour, and it leaves the household otherwise untouched.
A live-in carer covers the whole day rather than slices of it, which changes what is possible: unpredictable needs, wandering risk, someone who cannot be left, or a couple where both need support. Live-in starts from £1,150 per week and covers one carer supporting the household.
As a rule of thumb, once a household is buying enough daily hours that the day is mostly covered — plus night cover — live-in tends to become both cheaper and better. Before that point, hourly is normally the better value.
The other trigger is qualitative rather than financial: if the anxiety between visits is the real problem, no number of extra calls fixes it, and live-in does.
Because there is no minimum contract, households routinely move between the two — hourly after a hospital discharge, live-in through a bad winter, back to hourly in the spring. Review at every change in condition rather than sticking with whatever was chosen first.
It varies with the rate mix and whether nights are needed. We'll model both options side by side in writing for your specific situation — call 01784 740078.
No — that is not lawful or safe. A live-in carer has daily rest and a normal night's sleep; consistently disturbed nights need a separate night carer alongside.
A private room and shared food. Their supervision, training, cover and management sit with us.
Yes. A common pattern is live-in care plus a second carer for waking nights or for a heavy morning routine.
It depends on the stage. Early on, visits often work well; once there is night-time activity or a risk of leaving the house, live-in is usually the safer model. Our dementia care guide goes into this.
We'll price hourly and live-in side by side, in writing — call 01784 740078 or request a free visit.
We'll price hourly and live-in side by side, in writing — call 01784 740078 or request a free visit.
