Personal Care
Washing, bathing, dressing, oral hygiene, continence care, grooming and mobility assistance β all delivered with dignity, consistency and genuine respect for privacy and personal preference.
A dedicated, professional carer living in your home β providing round-the-clock support as a compassionate, cost-effective alternative to a care home.
There comes a point for many families when visiting care is simply not enough. When a loved one needs support throughout the day and through the night. When the worry of leaving them alone becomes constant. Live-in care offers a different answer β a trained, vetted, compatible carer moves into the home, becoming a consistent, trusted presence who supports your loved one across every hour of the day.
π Free assessment Β· No obligation Β· Response within 24 hours
Live-in care means a professionally trained, thoroughly vetted carer moves into your loved one's home and provides continuous, round-the-clock support β seven days a week, including overnight. They become part of the household: following the individual's routines, respecting their space and preferences, and building the kind of genuine, trusting relationship that only comes from consistent, day-to-day presence.
Unlike visiting care, which provides support for a fixed number of hours, live-in care means there is always someone there β for the morning routine, for meals, for medication, for an unexpected fall in the night, for a conversation over breakfast or a trip to the shops on a Tuesday afternoon.
Live-in care preserves everything that matters most: the home, the familiar environment, the independence, the memories and the sense of self. For many people β particularly those with dementia, complex needs or a strong attachment to their home β it is the most person-centred form of care available.
Families often feel that a care home is the only option when needs increase significantly. In many cases, live-in care is a better choice β and sometimes a more affordable one too.
| Feature | Live-in Care | Care Home |
|---|---|---|
| Where they live | Their own beloved home | Move to a residential facility |
| Familiar environment | β Everything they know and love | β New, unfamiliar surroundings |
| Level of support | 24/7, one-to-one | Shared staff across many residents |
| Carer consistency | Same dedicated carer daily | Multiple rotating staff |
| Personal routine | β Their routines and preferences | β Facility timetable |
| Pets | β Pets stay at home | β Usually not permitted |
| Family visits | Any time, in a private home | Restricted visiting hours |
| Cost for couples | β One carer for both | β Two separate placements |
| Dementia suitability | β Familiar home reduces anxiety | β New environment increases confusion |
Every situation is unique. Our care advisors are happy to discuss your loved one's specific circumstances honestly. Call 0121-7020-176 to speak to the team.
A live-in carer is far more than a care worker β they are a constant, trusted presence covering every aspect of daily life and wellbeing.
Washing, bathing, dressing, oral hygiene, continence care, grooming and mobility assistance β all delivered with dignity, consistency and genuine respect for privacy and personal preference.
Medication prompts, administration support, dosette box management, coordination with GPs and pharmacies and monitoring of any changes in health or medication needs throughout the day and night.
Three nutritious meals daily, snacks, hydration monitoring and dietary management β planned around the client's preferences, health needs and cultural background.
Night-time safety monitoring, responding to calls or distress during the night, supporting safe toileting and mobility, and ensuring the person is never without support during vulnerable overnight hours.
Cleaning, laundry, ironing, bed linen management, shopping, meal preparation and general household maintenance β keeping the home safe, clean and comfortable as part of the live-in care role.
Meaningful conversation, shared activities, community outings, appointment accompaniment and the simple, profound value of a consistent, engaged presence β someone who genuinely cares about the person.
Live-in care is built entirely around your loved one's existing routine β not around the carer's schedule.
The carer helps with the morning routine β waking, personal care, washing and dressing β at whatever pace feels right. Breakfast is prepared and medication is given. The morning paper is on the table. The day begins as it always has.
Light housekeeping, a trip to the local shops, time in the garden or a shared activity β crosswords, conversation, music or television. The carer is present and engaged throughout.
A hot, nutritious lunch is prepared and shared. Hydration is encouraged. Medication is administered if scheduled.
Rest time, community outings, a walk, a visit from family, a hobby or a GP appointment. The carer accompanies where needed, or simply ensures the person is comfortable and safe.
An evening meal, evening medication, perhaps television or a family phone call. The carer assists with the evening wind-down routine β and is present throughout.
The carer is in the home through the night β available immediately for any need. Sleep monitoring, safe night-time toileting assistance and immediate response to any distress or fall.
Live-in care is the right choice when visiting care no longer provides enough support and when your loved one strongly wishes to remain at home.
One consistent carer, familiar surroundings, maintained routines and 24-hour supervision without the disorientation of moving into a care home.
Adults with significant physical disabilities, multiple conditions or high personal care needs who require consistent, skilled support throughout the day and night.
People returning from hospital after major surgery, stroke or serious illness who require intensive, full-time support at home while they recover.
One carer supports both partners in their own home β preserving their relationship and shared life, and often more cost-effective than two separate care home placements.
Individuals whose risk of falls, medication errors or crisis incidents makes unsupervised hours genuinely unsafe and deeply worrying for family.
Those who wish to spend their final weeks or months at home, receiving compassionate, continuous palliative care in a familiar, meaningful environment.
The success of live-in care depends almost entirely on the quality of the carer and the compatibility of the match. This is why our carer selection process is one of the most thorough parts of everything we do. We take time at assessment to build a detailed picture of your loved one β their personality, history, preferences, sense of humour and what makes them feel comfortable and at ease.
Live-in carers typically work on a two-weeks-on, two-weeks-off rotation. During changeover periods, a carefully matched relief carer maintains the same standards and follows the same care plan.
Every Marula live-in carer is:
Call us or complete our online form. Tell us about your loved one's situation β their needs, their home, their personality and what they hope live-in care will give them.
A senior care manager visits at home for a thorough, unhurried assessment covering medical needs, personal care requirements, daily routines, the home environment and family priorities.
We identify the most compatible live-in carer from our team β considering experience, specialism, personality and cultural compatibility. We present the match to the family for discussion.
The live-in carer meets the client and family before moving in. A full handover covers the care plan, household preferences, daily routines and anything else that ensures a smooth start.
The carer moves in and care begins. A care manager remains in regular contact, conducts regular reviews and is always available to address any concerns.
βWe were on the verge of moving Dad into a care home when a friend suggested live-in care. The difference it has made is extraordinary. He is still in his house β the house he has lived in for 40 years. His carer is wonderful and they have developed a genuine friendship. Dad is happier than he has been in years.β
βMum has advanced dementia and we were very worried about how she would respond to having someone live with her. Marula matched her perfectly β same cultural background, same love of music. Within days it felt completely natural. The overnight cover has given our whole family our sleep back.β
βWe chose live-in care for both my parents β Dad has Parkinson's and Mum has mobility issues. The idea of placing them in separate care homes was heartbreaking. With Marula's live-in service, they are still together in their own home, being cared for brilliantly.β
Our live-in care team places dedicated carers across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.
Not sure whether we cover your area? Call 0121-7020-176 or include your postcode in our assessment form and we will confirm immediately.
Our team is here to answer every question, guide you through your options and arrange a free, thorough home assessment β at no charge and with no obligation.
β Free assessment Β Β β No obligation Β Β β Response within 24 hours