Two people, one home
Sixty years together. Not separated by a care decision.
One carer can support both of you at home — which is often the difference between staying together and being placed in different rooms, or different buildings.
When one person's needs change, couples are often quietly pushed towards a decision nobody wants: two care home places, or one person moving while the other stays.
In many cases a single live-in carer can support both people at home. One of you may need a great deal of help and the other very little — that is the most common arrangement we see.
Because the fee is for the household rather than per person, couples care frequently compares well against two residential places.
The detail that matters
What this looks like in practice
Support levels can be very different
A carer can provide personal care for one person while simply keeping an eye on the other. The plan covers you both, separately.
You stay in your own home
Same bed, same kitchen, same garden, same neighbours. Nobody is visiting anybody.
Relief for the well spouse
Often the healthier partner has been doing everything and is exhausted. That load lifts on day one.
One household fee
A supplement applies for two people, but it is a single arrangement rather than two separate ones.
If needs change
Plans are reviewed for both of you. If one person's needs grow, we look at a second carer or additional hours rather than starting again.
Privacy respected
A live-in carer takes proper breaks and time off. You are still a couple with your own house and your own evenings.
From first phone call to first morning
How it works
01Talk to usAn informal conversation. No forms, no commitment.
Most people call before they are ready to decide anything. Tell us what has been happening and we will tell you honestly whether live-in care is likely to help — including when we think something else would suit better.
02Free care consultationWe come to the house and listen properly.
We spend time understanding the day as it actually is: routines, sleep, medication, mobility, the house itself, what is still managed independently, and what the family is quietly picking up. It usually takes an hour or two, and it costs nothing.
03Find the right carerMatched on personality and lifestyle, not just availability.
We look for someone who fits the household — their pace, their interests, their food, their language, their sense of humour. You meet the carer before anything is agreed, and if the fit is not right, we keep looking.
04Care beginsA gentle start, then regular reviews.
The first days are introduced carefully, often with an overlap so nothing is lost in handover. We review the plan in the first fortnight and at regular intervals after that, because needs change and the plan should change with them.
01Talk to us
Most people call before they are ready to decide anything. Tell us what has been happening and we will tell you honestly whether live-in care is likely to help — including when we think something else would suit better.
The consultation is free, takes an hour or two, and commits you to nothing at all.
We also support
Older people
Help with the parts of the day that have become harder, so the rest can carry on as normal.
Find out more
Dementia care
Familiar surroundings, steady routines and a carer trained in memory loss.
Find out more
Hospital to home
Support through the weeks after a discharge, when confidence takes time to return.
Find out more
Straight answers
Questions families ask
Can one carer support two people?
In most cases, yes — particularly where one person needs substantial help and the other needs very little. Where both people have high needs, we would talk to you about two carers.
Does it cost twice as much for a couple?
No. There is a supplement for supporting a second person, but it is one household arrangement rather than two. For many couples it compares favourably with two residential places.
Let's talk about what your family needs.
One conversation, no pressure, and an honest view of whether live-in care would help. If we think something else would suit you better, we will tell you.
or call 0800 000 0000Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm