Explore Your Options
Choosing care for a loved one is a big decision. Here's a clear look at how live-in care compares to the alternatives, so you can decide what's right for your family.
Live-in care vs. a nursing home
A nursing home means moving away from a familiar home, routine, and community into a shared, institutional setting. Live-in care allows your loved one to stay in their own home, keep their independence, and continue seeing friends, neighbours, and pets.
Cost is often assumed to favour nursing homes, but for one-to-one care, live-in care is frequently more affordable than a private nursing home room — and it means your relative isn't sharing a carer's attention with a dozen other residents.
Live-in care vs. hourly home help
Hourly carers visit for set periods during the day, which can leave gaps in supervision, particularly overnight or in an emergency. A live-in carer is in the home continuously, providing companionship and support around the clock, with a guaranteed 35 hours of active care per week plus overnight presence.
What to expect from the trial period
We recommend every new placement begin with a short trial, usually two to four weeks. This gives your family member and their carer time to settle into a routine together, and gives you the chance to make sure the match feels right before committing longer term.
If for any reason the match is not working, our office team will step in quickly to find a better fit — there is no obligation to continue.
Questions to ask yourself
- Does my family member want to stay in their own home?
- Do they need round-the-clock supervision, or support for part of the day?
- How much does companionship matter, alongside practical care?
- What does my budget look like over months rather than weeks?
Ready to talk it through with our family team?
Talk it through with our team