As an older loved one experiences physical and cognitive decline, the level of help they require can range from weekly family visits and errands to companion care. Even if a senior’s care requirements escalate to the point where it is no longer safe for them to be alone 24/7, some wish to remain at home and age in place. This can put immense pressure on loved ones trying to provide around-the-clock care themselves. The most practical option for some: hire a live-in caregiver.
A live-in caregiver is just what it sounds like: This is someone who lives with a patient, providing care 24 hours a day for either several days or weeks at a time, or daily on an indefinite basis. The goal is to give families peace of mind and their ageing loved one quality care by a skilled professional.
If you’re just starting to explore this option, you may be unsure of what to budget for this type of care or what a typical rate might be. If you’re considering hiring a live-in caregiver, here are the basics on what you can expect to pay.
What to know about the various types of live-in caregivers
Before trying to figure out how much you can expect to pay a live-in caregiver, it’s important to understand that this is actually a blanket term. This title generally refers to someone who remains in a senior’s home around the clock, assisting for a few days in a row until they’re relieved by another caregiver. However, there are a couple different types of live-in caregivers.
1. Live-in with sleep time and on-site breaks
With typical live-in caregiving, a main caregiver works between three and five days each week, providing 24-hour help during this time. The caregiver is able to sleep for eight hours at night and a bed must be provided. The caregiver remains on-site, even during their daytime breaks, since the client can’t be left unattended due to cognitive impairments or because they’re likely to wander off.
2. Live-in with overnight care
Another type of live-in care is when an overnight aide provides help during sleeping hours—which usually adds up to anywhere from six to eight hours—so that the day caregiver can rest. This type of care is recommended in situations where the senior wanders, wakes frequently, has personal or special care needs, or requires repositioning to prevent bedsores.
How live-in caregivers’ rates are determined
Many factors play into how much a family or senior will pay out of pocket for this type of care, including whether you are hiring privately or working with an agency.
Different areas in the country might also have different rates.
Other resume points a caregiver may have that can impact overall pay:
- Existing training or certifications
- Willingness to work off-hours, around the clock, and on bank holidays versus working only daytime shifts
- Proficiencies in additional languages
- Willingness to work with clients who might require a higher level of assistance
- At least two years of experience
- Experience caring for more challenging cases
What you can expect to pay for live-in care
If you’re hiring through an agency, the hourly rate will likely be somewhere between £15 and £30. For instance, let’s say you need to hire a carer for 20 hours of support each week, and your chosen carer’s rate is £20. This would mean you can expect to pay around £1,600–£2,000 a month. It’s also worth noting that agency fees for in-home care are generally cheaper in the north than in the south.
How to discuss pay with a potential candidate
If you decide to go the private route instead of working with an agency, it will be up to you and your potential live-caregiver to determine their rate—bearing in mind that it needs to be in line with minimum wage entitlements. But first, you need to put on your employer hat, and remember that although you’ll likely be paying less hourly, you’ll now be responsible for covering benefits like insurance and worker’s compensation, as well as drafting a contract that specifies your caregiver’s schedule and responsibilities.
It’s important to note that caregivers should be compensated adequately for their time and effort. Most importantly, make sure both of you are comfortable with the working arrangement before it commences.
