There are many different types of care, each designed to fit the lifestyle and needs of home care recipients. While no two types of care are exactly the same, there are broad categories within the job title “caregiver." So, let’s take a moment to review what live-in caregivers are, what responsibilities they have, and how this role might differ from other types of home care services.
What Is a Live-In Caregiver?
When it comes to understanding what live-in caregivers do, the clue is in the name. A live-in caregiver will live in the home with the recipient of care, providing round-the-clock care.
Live-in caregivers are not necessarily professional healthcare workers. Instead, they can often be a family member, neighbor, or a friend. They might not always be paid for their work, but Best Care believes that every caregiver should be compensated for their hard work and the high-quality care they provide.
Some groups that most commonly need a live-in caregiver include elderly people, disabled people, or those with chronic or terminal illnesses. Some people may also need an individual to provide 24/7 support "temporary." This typically occurs if they are recuperating from an injury or an operation—particularly if they have an existing condition.
The responsibilities of a live-in caregiver will vary from person to person but will often include:
- Housekeeping
- Assisting in daily hygiene tasks
- Grocery shopping
- Providing transportation outside of the home
- Monitoring health vitals
- Providing mobility assistance and social support in the home
What Is The Difference Between a Live-In Caregiver and an Overnight Caregiver?
Live-in caregivers are often compared to overnight caregivers. This article covers the basics of an overnight caregiver’s responsibilities, but broadly speaking, while the two might share some similar responsibilities, the key difference is how long the caregiver will spend in the home.
Overnight caregivers will only be present during the night, returning to their own homes during the day. They might be replaced with daytime caregivers during these hours. In contrast, a live-in caregiver lives in the same home as the recipient of care and is there to provide care at any time.
Do live-in caregivers pay rent?
Because this type of caregiver spends so much time in the home, it is not uncommon for us to receive this question. Caregivers should not be included in any lease or contracts to do with housing, and therefore, do not pay rent. This also means that the caregiver's income should not be included in the household income when it comes to receiving benefits or paying taxes.
How Do I Know If I Qualify?
Anyone can become a live-in caregiver, providing he or she follows some key rules from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Namely, HUD’s rules state that a live-in caregiver should not be obligated to support the recipient of care and will not be living with this individual, unless providing the specified care services. The caregiver must also pass a criminal background check.
If you check all these boxes, you may qualify to become a live-in caregiver. If you have any questions about being a live-in caregiver, including “how much do live-in caregivers make?” and “how do I get started as a live-in caregiver?”, Best Care is here to help. Contact us to learn more!
