Questions to ask about live-in care

Ask what the caregiver has actually done for similar situations, which references can be spoken to and on what date, and how they would handle a named difficult moment from your own week.

A useful outcome from this guide is a short written decision note for the family: what was considered, what was confirmed, what remains uncertain and who will follow up.

Ask the practical terms plainly: the exact duties and hours, who covers a sick day, how a concern is raised, what notice ends the arrangement, and which tasks fall outside a non-clinical brief.

Write the answers down as you go and keep them with the task list. A conversation that resists written answers about live-in care tells you as much as one that welcomes them.

Keep the written answers about live-in care with the task list, and revisit them if the shortlist changes. A choice made from notes lasts better than one made from the strongest impression left in the room.

Throughout live-in care, keep daily-living support separate from clinical work. Personal-care routines, meals, companionship and agreed mobility assistance can form a caregiver brief. Assessment, treatment, medication administration and anything needing clinical judgement stays with appropriately qualified healthcare professionals, and urgent symptoms mean calling 999 first.

What to have ready

• Who is affected by the decision and how
• What the person receiving care prefers
• Sources or bodies to verify current facts against
• A date to review the decision after it is made
• The current professional plan or instructions