Esa Reeman Team member OHC

What Are My Options? Live-In Care vs Care Home: A Simple Guide

Posted by Esa Reeman | Director of Operations

If you’ve found yourself searching for things like “what to do when my parent needs care” or “how to support my elderly mum or dad at home” - you’re not alone.

Many people reach a point where they’re worried about a loved one’s safety, health or ability to cope alone but don’t know what help is out there or how to start looking.

You might live a long way away. You might be balancing work, kids and trying to be there for your parent - while feeling overwhelmed and unsure what the “right” choice is.

We're here to help. We’ll break down two of the most common care options:
👉 Live-in care
👉 Residential care homes

hopefully, you’ll have a clearer picture of what might work best for your family - and where to go from here.

🏠 What is Live-In Care?

Live-in care means a fully trained carer comes to live in your loved one’s home, offering round-the-clock support. That can include:

  • Help with personal care and medication

  • Support with mobility or memory issues

  • Meal preparation and domestic tasks

  • Companionship, outings and reassurance

  • Clinical care for complex health needs

At Ocean Healthcare, our live-in care service is nurse-led, meaning we’re fully equipped to provide high-quality care at home for people living with dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke recovery, spinal injuries or other complex mental or medical conditions.

🏡 What is a Care Home?

A care home is a residential facility where your parent would move in and receive care in a shared setting. They’d have their own room, but share communal spaces and routines with other residents. Staff are on hand to help with daily needs - and in some homes, nurses are available too.

Meals, medication, activities and routines are usually pre-set and organised by the home.

Live-In Care vs Care Home: How Do They Compare?

Choosing care is a big decision.

Whether you’re exploring options for yourself or someone you love, our free nurse assessment is a reassuring first step.

One of our experienced nurses will take time to understand your needs, answer questions and help you explore how Live-in Care could work for your situation — there’s no cost and no obligation.

What Does Live-In Care Include?

But My Parent Needs More Than Just Personal Care and Companionship...

Ocean Healthcare offers more than standard live-in care service - we provide hospital-at-home levels of care for complex medical needs. Our nurse-led service ensures your loved one receives expert care as their health evolves, allowing them to stay at home longer even with advanced conditions.

Some of the conditions we support -

  • Airway and Respiratory Management
  • Enteral Feeding such as PEG, nasogastric tube or gastrojejunostomy care
  • Our live-in care service can also support Hospital Discharge Care proving a smooth transition back home after a stay in hospital
  • Specialist care following Brain or Spinal injury
  • Palliative Care for compassionate, end-of-life support

Ok, But How Do I Arrange Live-In Care?

We understand that inviting someone into your or your loved one’s home can feel like a big step. That’s why at Ocean Healthcare we take great care to guide you through every step and make getting started simpler than you might think.

  1. Get in Touch: Once you’ve submitted your details below, a member of our nurse-led team will contact you to arrange a convenient time for your free assessment. We’ll confirm the date, answer any questions and ensure you feel completely comfortable before we visit.

  1. Free Assessment: We’ll visit you and carry out an initial assessment. Whether you’re exploring options for yourself or someone you love. One of our experienced nurses will take time to understand your needs, answer questions and help you explore how Live-in Care could work for your situation - there’s no cost and no obligation.

  2. Tailored Care Plan: Based on the assessment, we create a personalised care plan with you to match your loved one with the right carer and how best to support their needs and requirements.

Considering Costs

While live-in care may seem like a premium service it’s often more cost-effective than you’d expect - especially for couples who can share the support of one carer. At Ocean Healthcare we offer free assessments to provide a clear understanding of what the costs will be and what’s included.

Ready To Take the Next Step?

If you’re exploring care options for yourself or a loved one live-in care could be the perfect solution. It offers personalised support, companionship and the chance to stay at home, surrounded by all the things that make life meaningful.

To learn more or arrange a free care assessment, contact us today. Whether you have questions about the process, costs or how live-in care works - our friendly team is here to help.

Live-in care isn’t just about meeting needs - it’s about enhancing quality of life and offering peace of mind for everyone involved, even as needs evolve or change.

Deciding on care is never easy especially when distance is a factor. Ocean Healthcare is here to guide you through every step, offering compassionate professional live-in care that puts independence and comfort first.

If you'd prefer to speak to someone on the phone, please call us on 01626 243333. You can also email us at [email protected]

Let us help you make the best decision for your loved one. Start your journey today with Ocean Healthcare.

Your home, your way.

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