Blog Layout

Things to Consider with Long Term Live-in Home Care [Part 2 of 2]

Aug 23, 2013
Things to Consider with Long Term Live-in Home Care [Part 2 of 2]

Hiring a live-in caregiver through a home care agency not only ensures qualified care is being provided and monitored, it also offers the advantages of being matched for compatibility, establishing a trail period, and providing back-up care. “The importance of compatibility cannot be stressed enough. You, your caregiver, and your family are going to be spending lots of time together. So you better make sure that you really like each other. That’s why the trial period is so important.”, advises Dr. McGee. The trial period should last a minimum of 1 month, but preferably several months to ensure that everyone is compatible. “You would be surprised at the number of families that immediately move-in caregivers that they find on the internet. I have proprietary software, knowledge of my staff, and years of practical experience matching families and caregivers, and I would never recommend a long term live-in caregiver without a trial period.”, says Margie Skibinski DON RN BSN, Comforting Home Care’s Director of Nursing. She adds, “The right fit is important, and the only way to determine that is to try it. If someone offers to send you a long term live-in caregiver without a trial period – run!”



Lastly, you need to understand that your care situation will not remain static – things will change over time. A change may happen in as little as a month or it could be years, but you can be certain that change will come. Your caregiver may find a boyfriend, develop a sick parent, become ill, suffer a family loss, or, in some cases, want to return to their home state or country. Remember, your long term live-in caregiver is not maintaining a separate home in the area and may have few restrictions on leaving for another opportunity or simply for personal reasons. People are not indentured servants and there is no practical way to force them to stay. That’s why it is important to maintain your relationship with your home care agency throughout this process. Your home care company will be ready to assist you with any problems and to fill any gaps in your care.


Long term live-in care can work in some situations, but it takes great deal of planning, professional help, and significant and continued effort to implement. It is not the “magic answer” that unscrupulous placement agencies claim. The probability of being successful long term, even with professional help, is relatively low. (In fact, aside from some internet only placement agencies, few local home care agencies offer long term live-ins.) The truth is that managing long term live-in care has many difficulties and will require the greatest amount of your time and effort.

More From Our Blog

Our Cancer Home Recovery Services Can Help Patients Deal with Cancer Side Effects. Call for Details.
By Staff Blogger 11 Mar, 2024
Many Cancer Treatment Side Effects Can Affect Your Quality of Life, So Knowing What to Expect And How to Deal With It Can Help.
Contact us for Dementia and Alzheimer's  Care in Berks, Bucks, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties.
By Staff Blogger 29 Feb, 2024
Quality Sleep is As Essential For Good Health As a Healthy Diet And Regular Exercise, But People With Dementia or Alzheimer's Often Have Trouble Sleeping.
Contact us for Caregivers in Berks, Bucks, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties.
By Staff Blogger 20 Feb, 2024
Caregiving Can Be a Very Rewarding Experience But Can Also Have a Negative Impact on Your Physical and Mental Well-Being if You Aren’t Careful.
Contact us for hospice care in Berks, Bucks, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties.
By Staff Blogger 09 Feb, 2024
Many People Have Misconceptions About Hospice Care, But It Provides Many Benefits To Help Patients And Family Members Through Difficult Times.
Learn About the 5 Important Benefits of Aging in Place.
By Staff Blogger 03 Feb, 2024
It Can Be Difficult to Know What is Best For Aging Loved Ones, But One Survey Found That More Than Three-Quarters of Older Adults Want to Age in Place.
Here are Some Dementia and Home Safety Tips You Should Know
By Staff Blogger 28 Jan, 2024
Confusion, Forgetfulness, And Other Dementia Symptoms Can Create Safety Concerns, But There Are Many Steps You Can Take to Create a Safer Home Environment.
10 Signs That Indicate Your Aging Parent Needs Help
By Staff Blogger 20 Jan, 2024
Age-Related Health Issues Can Make Independent Living Difficult. Often, There Are Simple Fixes, But You Need To Recognize When an Aging Parent Needs Help.
Here are Tips for How to Agree to Disagree With Family Regarding Aging Parents!
By Staff Blogger 09 Jan, 2024
Family Dynamics Are Often Challenging at The Best of Times. The Stress and Worry of Caring for An Aging Parent Can Magnify These Challenges.
Are You or a Loved One Coming Home From the Hospital? Here's What You Should Know.
By Staff Blogger 28 Dec, 2023
Coming Home From The Hospital May Be More Dangerous Than You Think. One in Five Medicare Beneficiaries is Re-Hospitalized Within 30 Days of Discharge.
More Posts ▸
Share by: