Frequently asked questions

What does a live-in carer do?

A live-in carer - Personal Care Assistant - is there to support you or your loved one, to live the best life they’re able to live.

Carer tasks include personal care, medication prompting, mobility assistance, toileting, cooking, running errands and simply being there as a companion. As everyone’s needs are different the tasks your carer performs come down to individual requirements.

What does a live-in carer not do?

The Care Agency carers are not cleaners. Our Personal Care Assistants are professional health care assistants.

Our carers clean as we go over the course of the daily routine, including cleaning related to cooking and doing the laundry, for example. They do not undertake cleaning tasks beyond the scope of their carer responsibilities.

They do not climb ladders, clean windows or do gardening.

Our carers do not use their own cars for shopping, outings and appointments that are in the scope of their carer role. The client is required to provide a vehicle or other transport option (e.g. taxi) for any outings they need to do, with the support of their carer.

What is the difference between privately funded care and publicly funded care?

The difference between privately funded care (i.e. funded by you) and publicly funded care (i.e. funded through the public health system) is that you are able to choose when you have care provided.

With public funded care, the care provider will schedule your care to suit their overall client load and carer availability. For example, you may be eligible for a one hour slot in the morning and a one hour evening slot but you will not be able to choose exact times the carer arrives. This can make it difficult to plan your day.

When you are paying for private care at an hourly rate you are able to select the type of care needed and when you’d like it. The Care Agency will work with you to create your bespoke care plan that reflects how you would like your day to run.

What do I need to provide for my live-in carer?

You need to provide a suitably furnished, well ventilated, warm and clean private room for your carer when they are living with you. Your carer may spend their downtime in their room so it is nice for them to have furnishings such as a comfortable bed, bedside table, chest of drawers, wardrobe, desk, television and internet connection.

Your carer will provide their own bed linen, towels and food.

Do you only provide live-in care for an elderly person?

No. It is not only elderly people who can benefit from live-in care. We provide live-in care for people with a range of conditions such as dementia, parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy and other disabilities, as well as for people living with cancer or other serious illness.

Why do I need more than two carers?

The Care Agency will provide you with continuity and to do this we may need three to four carers allocated to your bespoke care plan. This will ensure that your entire care plan is covered by a small team and you won’t have an unfamiliar face arriving to your home if another carer is unwell or on holiday.

Will I have to have a monthly contract?

No. We will set up a contract at the beginning of the care arrangement and then this will be a rolling agreement.

As your needs change, we will adapt with you by updating the care plan as and when needed. This may mean adjusting the costs to reflect the change in care and if this is so, we will discuss the changes with you and confirm in a letter of amendment to your contract.

If you would like to terminate care with us at any time you are required to provide two weeks’ notice.

If you need to end care with us because of acute hospital admission we ask that you make us aware of the situation as quickly as possible. You will not be charged for the time that your loved one is no longer at home

Will the cost change over time for my care?

The costs of your care may change if your care plan alters or if there is another reason that our fees need to adjust. As your needs change we will adapt with you by updating the care plan as and when needed.

The Care Agency will not alter your fees until we have had a meeting to discuss the changes required and why. We will reflect any changes in a letter of amendment that will be signed by both parties.

Does the live-in carer get a break during the day?

Our live-in carers will be on duty for up to ten hours per day and will be required to take the equivalent to two hours of breaks intermittently throughout the day. Their breaks will be achieved around your needs and daily routine.

Can I change carers?

Yes. If you think the carer we have selected for you is not working out to your satisfaction don’t worry. We will find a new match for you as soon as we can. Just call us to discuss.