Preparing your home for a live-in carer
A little preparation makes the first weeks easier for everyone. Here is what the carer needs, what to write down, and how to plan the first day.
What the carer needs
- A private bedroom with a bed, clean bedding and somewhere to store their things
- Access to a bathroom and the kitchen
- Wi-Fi if possible, so they can keep in touch with family on their break
- The carer's food, or a food allowance of £30 a week
- A daily break and proper rest, as set out in their agreement
Write a care notes folder
- The daily routine, from waking up to bedtime
- A list of medication, and who orders it
- Health conditions and allergies
- Contacts: GP, pharmacy, district nurse and family, and who to call first
- Likes, dislikes, favourite meals, faith and hobbies
- How the house works: heating, the boiler, bins, alarms and keys
- What to do in an emergency
Keep the folder up to date and share it with every carer, including the carer who covers breaks.
Make the home safe
- Clear walkways and remove loose rugs
- Good lighting on stairs and on the way to the toilet at night
- Check that smoke alarms work
- Make sure equipment, such as a hoist or a raised toilet seat, is in place and working
Ask the GP or council about equipment and adaptations. A Disabled Facilities Grant can help pay for changes such as grab rails or a level access shower.
House rules to agree
- Visitors, and when the carer's friends or family can call
- Phone use and quiet times
- Smoking, if at all, and where
- Use of the car, if needed
- Meals: eating together or separately
- When the daily break is taken
Money and shopping
- Agree how shopping is paid for, and keep receipts
- Keep a simple record of money spent
- Never share bank cards, PINs or passwords
Planning the first day
- Have a family member there to welcome the carer and hand over
- Walk through the home together
- Go through the care notes folder
- Agree the routine for the first week
- Book a short check-in call at the end of the first week
When carers change over
With live-in care, a second carer covers breaks or rotations. Ask the outgoing carer to brief the incoming one, and keep a notes book for anything that changed during the week.
More guides
Questions
Does a live-in carer need their own room?
Yes. A live-in carer needs a private bedroom, plus access to a bathroom and the kitchen.
Do we pay for the carer's food?
The household provides the carer's food, or pays a food allowance of £30 a week.
Do we need Wi-Fi?
It helps the carer keep in touch with their family during breaks, so provide it if possible.
What if we don't have a spare room?
Then live-in care may not be possible, but hourly visits might work. Talk it through with us.