The carer’s bedroom — what is required 

A live-in carer will need their own private bedroom for the duration of the placement. This is best for the arrangement to work well, and for the carer to be well-rested enough to provide good care. 

It does not need to be a large room or a guest suite. What matters is that it is private, reasonably comfortable, and genuinely the carer’s own space during their time in your home. 

What the bedroom should include 

• A proper bed — not a sofa bed or camp bed if it can be avoided 
• Storage for the carer’s personal belongings — a wardrobe or chest of drawers 
• Reasonable privacy — ideally a door that closes, away from the main living areas 
• A working lamp or overhead light 
• Access to Wi-Fi — important for a carer who may be in the home for several weeks at a time 
• A plug socket for personal devices 

What if we don’t have a spare bedroom? 

This is a genuine practical concern for some families. Possible solutions include: 

• Converting a study, dining room or downstairs room into a temporary bedroom for the duration of care 
• Discussing with family members whether someone might temporarily move out or stay elsewhere 
• A high-quality sofa bed in a private room may be acceptable for a short-term placement — discuss this with us before care begins so we can manage expectations with the carer 

If there is no room available in your home, live-in care may not be practical, but it is worth having a conversation with us before ruling it out, as there can be other solutions. 

Bathroom and personal facilities 

The carer will need regular access to a bathroom. This means sharing an existing bathroom, which works perfectly well in practice. If your home has more than one bathroom, it is considerate to designate one primarily for the carer’s use where possible. 

Practical points 

• Ensure there is space in the bathroom for the carer’s toiletries — a shelf or a drawer  
• If sharing a bathroom with your carer, agree a morning routine so both can use it comfortably 
• If your loved one needs the bathroom at night, consider whether the carer’s bedroom is positioned to allow them to respond easily 

The kitchen — food, meals and arrangements 

Food arrangements are one of the most practical things to agree before a carer arrives to ensure things run smoothly. 

The two main approaches: 

The family provides food for the carer 

Your carer eats whatever is in the home, either joining your loved one for meals or eating separately. This works well when the carer is happy with a shared food arrangement and meals are straightforward. 

A weekly food allowance 

Our standard arrangement is a weekly food allowance of £40–£60, which the carer uses to buy their own food. The specific amount and approach should be agreed before care begins. 

Practical points to agree in advance 

• Deciding if you’d like your carer to have meals with you. Our carers find shared mealtimes more sociable, and it can be better for your loved one too. 
• Are there any dietary requirements or preferences on either side that affect what gets cooked? 
• Who does the food shopping? Either your carer as part of their role, or a family member. If your carer shops, mileage is charged at 55p per mile. 
• Where will the carer store their own food if they are buying separately? A designated shelf in the fridge and a cupboard space avoids confusion. 
• Is there anything in the kitchen that is off-limits or that needs a particular explanation? 

These details may seem minor, but they make a real difference. When a carer feels comfortable and settled in the kitchen, they can focus their energy where it matters most for your loved one. 

Privacy and personal space — for everyone 

One of the most common concerns families have before live-in care begins is the question of privacy. 

In practice, most families find this concern fades quickly once care is underway. A good live-in carer understands the difference between being available and being intrusive. Our carers will naturally give your loved one the space when it is needed. 

Your loved one’s privacy 

• The bedroom and bathroom remain private spaces — the carer enters only to assist with care tasks 
• Personal conversations, phone calls and family moments— a good carer steps back without needing to be asked 
• Your loved one’s belongings, paperwork and personal items remain their own  

The carer’s private space 

• The carer’s bedroom is their own space during their off-duty time — best to knock before entering 
• During the carer’s daily two-hour break, they are off duty — this time should be respected unless of an emergency 
• Carers working long placements need to feel settled as their comfort matters 

When family members visit 

• Family can visit at any time — this is still your loved one’s home 
• It is courteous to let your carer know when a visit is planned, so the routine can be adjusted if needed 
• During family visits, your carer will step back and give the family space, whilst remaining available  

Daily routine — talking it through before care begins 

A valuable tip you can do before a carer arrives is to write down your loved one’s daily routine. Not a rigid schedule, but a simple picture of how the day normally looks. The clearer a carer understands the routines and preferences that matter, the better care they will provide from day one. 

Things to capture before the carer arrives 

• Wake-up time and morning routine — including any personal care tasks and their preferred order 
• Medication — what it is, when it is taken, and whether there are any instructions 
• Meals — preferred mealtimes, favourite foods, any dietary requirements 
• Daytime routine — regular activities, television programmes, exercise, hobbies, social commitments 
• Mobility — how they move around the home, what equipment they use, where they need help 
• Evening and bedtime routine — when they go to bed, what they need help with 
• Night-time — is overnight support needed?  
• Neighbours– do your neighbours know your carer will be accessing the house? 
• Emergency contacts — family members, GP, any regular healthcare professionals 

We provide simple care plan templates through our customer portal that cover all these areas. If you already have a formal care plan from a professional share this with us so we can pass it on to your carer. 

Safety in the home 

A live-in carer will spend a significant amount of time in your loved one’s home, and part of their role is to keep that environment safe.  

Common things to check 

• Trip hazards — loose rugs, trailing cables, clutter in walkways 
• Lighting — are all areas of the home adequately lit? 
• Grab rails and mobility aids — are they in place where needed?  
• Bathroom safety — non-slip mat in the shower or bath, grab rail beside the toilet if needed 
• Medications — are they clearly labelled and stored safely?  
• Gas and electrical appliances — is the carer shown where the main switches and meters are?
• Keys — does the carer have a key, or a way to come and go? 
• Bins — let your carer know which day the bins go out so they can help keep things running smoothly  
• Emergency information — GP details, NHS number, any relevant medical history, nearest hospital 

If your loved one has specific safety needs, we’d love to discuss these explicitly with us before your carer arrives, so expectations are clear. 

Paperwork and practical admin 

There is a small amount of paperwork involved in starting live-in care. We handle the contracts and payment management on your behalf, so the admin is kept as light as possible. 

Useful documents and information 

• Your loved one’s care plan or care summary, if one exists 
• A current list of medications, doses and timing 
• GP contact details and NHS number 
• Details of any other healthcare professionals involved  
• Contact details for family members or next of kin 

At TrustonTap we will walk you through what is needed when care is confirmed. You do not need to have everything in place before making an enquiry we will help you get there. 

The first day — what to expect 

The first day of live-in care is an adjustment for everyone. It helps to go in with realistic expectations. 

• It will take a little time to settle. Even when the match is a good one, a new person in the home takes getting used to.  
• The carer will want to observe before changing anything. A good carer spends the first days learning the routines, preferences and personality of the person they are supporting. 
• Your loved one may be uncertain at first. Reassurance from family, and consistency from your carer, usually resolves this quickly. 
• Communication is key. If something isn’t working in those first few days, communicate this with your carer, or to us.  

Many of our families look back at the first week and mention how much easier it was than they expected, and the relief of having support in place felt reassuring. 

Common mistakes families forget 

Even with the best intentions, there are a few things families often overlook when preparing for a live-in carer.  

✓ Inform neighbours 

✓ Give the carer a front door key 

✓ Explain how the heating works 

✓ Show where stopcock and fuse box are 

✓ Explain use of TV 

✓ Wi-Fi password 

✓ Explain rubbish collection 

✓ Show where cleaning products are kept 

✓ Show Alarm codes 

✓ Washing machine. 

✓ Where medicines are stored 

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