Live-in care vs visiting care
As a loved one’s care needs change one of the most important decisions to make is the type of support that best suits their lifestyle, preferences, and needs. Options include visiting care, also known as domiciliary care, or hourly care or 24 hour live-in care. While both can enable you to remain in the comfort of your own home, the level of support they offer is quite different. Understanding the differences between the two can help families make a confident and informed decision.
At Consultus Care and Nursing, we’ve been providing compassionate, highly-skilled live-in care and live-in nursing for over 60 years, helping people across the country to live safely, independently and happily in their own homes. We believe life is better at home, granting more people the freedom to make their own choices and live life their way.
What is visiting care?
Visiting care, sometimes referred to as domiciliary care or hourly care, involves a professional carer visiting your home at scheduled times during the day or week. These visits can be short (typically 30 minutes to an hour) or longer, depending on the individual’s needs. Tasks often include help with personal care, medication, meal preparation, and other light household tasks.
This type of care is often ideal for individuals who are relatively independent but still need occasional assistance with the tasks of daily life. As needs evolve more visits may be needed over most of the week. This is when visiting care can become expensive and an alternative solution, like live-in care may be considered.
When visiting care might be the right choice
Visiting care works for individuals or couples when:
Help is only needed at certain times of the day
There are family members or neighbours that can provide additional support
The care needs are not complex, specialist or progressive
What is live-in care?
Live-in care involves a professional carer moving into your home to provide round-the-clock assistance. This continuous one-to-on support means someone is always there to help with daily tasks, personal care, medication management, mobility, and companionship. It is a highly personalised form of care tailored to the individual’s needs, preferences, and routine.
Live-in care is particularly well-suited to those with complex or ongoing health conditions, including dementia, Parkinson’s, or limited mobility. It also offers a seamless transition for those who would otherwise face moving into a residential care home.
When live-in care might be the better option
Live-in care may be the best solution when:
Full-time, continuous support is required throughout the day and night
Consistency and familiarity are crucial, such as in dementia care
There are complex care needs that would be difficult to manage with shorter visits
Companionship and emotional support are as important as practical help
Family members, especially if they live out of travelling distance, may worry that their loved one is safe and receiving the care they need. Live-in care provides comfort, knowing they’re supported around-the-clock.
What are the core differences between live-in care and visiting care?
Live-in care offers, 24-hour care from someone who lives in the home, while visiting care providers intermittent support according to a fixed schedule. This affects everything from response times to emergencies, to how flexible and personalised the care plan can be.
Live-in care
Visiting care
Availability
Personalisation
Continuity of care
Emergency support
Companionship
Cost
Whilst live-in care is generally more expensive than visiting care, it's cost reflects the one-to-one personalisation of care, which cannot be matched by a visiting care service. More so, if 3-4 visits per day are required with visiting care, the costs soon become comparable between the two service options.
What are the benefits of live-in care over visiting care?
Whilst visiting care can be ideal when an individual has low needs, however as needs increase t, live-in care provides a range of benefits that many families find reassuring:
One-to-one support: A live-in carer is solely focused on the individual they are caring for, creating a strong bond and delivering truly personalised care.
Peace of mind: Family members can rest assured knowing their loved one is never alone, especially during the night.
Consistent routine: With one regular carer, the individual benefits from continuity and familiarity, which is especially beneficial for those living with dementia.
Emotional support: The companionship offered by live-in care can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Talk to us today
Give us a call to discuss your needs with one of our friendly, expert Care Advisors. They will guide you through your options to ensure you make the right choice for you and your family.
Comparing the costs between live-in care and visiting care
For many families, one of the key considerations when choosing care for a loved one will be the cost. Initially, visiting care might appear more affordable due to its flexible, pay-per-visit model. However, the costs can add up quickly if multiple visits are required daily across the week, or when overnight care becomes necessary.
Live-in care, while a larger weekly investment, provides 24/7 support that could be more cost-effective than the equivalent number of daily visits or the fees of a residential care home.
Here’s a general guide to what you can expect:
Visiting care: £25 - £38 per hour, depending on location and complexity
Live-in care: Live-in care with Consultus Care starts from £1,100 per week for our introductory service, or £1,575 for our managed live-in care and nursing service.
Live-in care with Consultus Care
At Consultus Care, we understand that every individual’s needs are unique. That’s why we offer flexible, person-centred care at home that adapts to each client's lifestyle, personal preferences, routine and medical needs.
If you’re considering live-in care or want to explore whether it’s the right option for your loved one, our friendly Care Advisors are here to help. Contact us on 01732 496715 or enquire online.
How to arrange live-in care
Speak to a Care Advisor
Our friendly, expert Care Advisors are here to guide you through your options, answer your important questions, whilst providing support along the way.
Care assessment
If you would like our managed live-in care service, a Care Consultant local to you, will complete a free assessment of your needs in your home.
Care starts
A fully trained carer will be carefully matched to meet your needs, and will start to provide our high-quality service in your home.
Why choose Consultus Care and Nursing?
One of the longest-established and most trusted providers
Founded in 1962, we have always been innovators in live-in care and live-in nursing. With over 60 years’ experience, we are one of the country’s longest-established, most highly recommended and experienced providers.
Unrivalled choice and control over your care
We understand that every person’s needs are different and every family’s situation is unique. With our choice of fully managed live-in care and nursing, and our introductory service, we offer more flexibility and personalisation than any other provider.
Highly trained nurses and carers
We are nationally recognised for the quality of our nurses and carers. With market-leading training, delivered at our own, multi-award-winning training centre, they provide exemplary, compassionate care tailored to individual needs, offering total peace of mind for clients and their families.
Expert care and support, dedicated to you
Our Care Consultants oversee our nursing and managed care services supporting only a small number of families. This means our service is truly personal, with unrivalled support and continuity of care. Reassurance that we are there when you need us most.
Family-founded, family-owned
We continue to be a family-owned and family-managed business. The largest wholly family-owned live-in care provider in the UK, we focus on what our clients and their families need from a high-quality care service, not on meeting investors’ expectations.
Looking for care?
Please fill out the enquiry form below and we will aim to contact you within 24 hours. Looking to work for Consultus Care and Nursing? Please apply here.