How live-in care differs from 24-hour care
Both keep someone in the house around the clock. The difference is what happens at night, and it changes the cost.
By the AnnMarie’s Care team
—4 min read
Short answer. With live-in care, one carer lives in the home, supports your relative through the day and sleeps at night, helping only now and then. With 24-hour care, carers work in shifts so that someone is always awake. The right choice depends mostly on what happens at night.
Both services keep someone in the home around the clock, which is why the names get mixed up. The difference matters, because it changes how well your relative is supported at night and what you will pay.
What live-in care looks like
A live-in carer moves into your relative's home and has their own bedroom. During the day they help with washing and dressing, meals, medication prompts, housework, appointments and company. At night they sleep, and can get up for occasional needs, such as:
- help to the toilet once or twice;
- settling or repositioning;
- reassurance after a bad dream or a confused moment;
- responding to an alarm or an emergency.
A live-in carer has a daily break of at least two hours, and usually works in a rotation with one or two other regular carers, for example two weeks on and two weeks off. Your relative gets to know a small, steady team.
What 24-hour care looks like
24-hour care, also called shift care or waking-night care, uses at least two carers a day working shifts of around 8 to 12 hours. The night carer stays awake. It is the right choice when someone:
- needs help regularly through the night, not just occasionally;
- needs turning every two to four hours overnight;
- is often awake at night and not safe on their own.
Side by side
| Live-in care | 24-hour care | |
|---|---|---|
| At night | Carer sleeps, helps occasionally | A carer is awake all night |
| Carers each day | One | Two or more on shifts |
| Continuity | A small team of regular carers on rotation | More faces, with shift handovers |
| Space needed | A spare bedroom for the carer | Night carer stays up, so no bedroom needed |
| How it is charged | A weekly or daily fee | Usually by the hour |
| Typical cost | Lower | Often around twice as much |
The middle option
Many families do not need to choose one or the other. If night needs are growing, a live-in carer can be combined with:
- a separate waking night carer or a night-sitting service on some or all nights;
- equipment such as a call bell, a sensor mat by the bed, night lights or a commode, so the carer is woken only when needed;
- a GP or pharmacist review, because pain, infections, continence or medicines often cause disturbed nights and can be treated.
Questions to help you decide
- How many times does your relative wake in a typical night, and why?
- How long are they up, and what help do they need?
- Is there a spare bedroom for a carer?
If you are not sure about nights, keep a simple sleep diary for a week: the time your relative woke, the reason, and how long they were up. It gives a clear picture very quickly.
An honest view of night-time needs
Before care starts, we talk through your relative's night-time needs with you. If a sleeping live-in carer is not enough, we will tell you, and talk to you about a separate waking night carer.