24-hour Care at Home
What is 24-hour care at home?
24-hour care at home means a carer lives with you in your own home to provide support at any time of the day or night.
Also known as 24/7 care or live-in care, it gives you the reassurance that someone is always on hand, whether that is help with personal care first thing in the morning or reaching the bathroom safely during the night.
24 hour care is suitable for people of all ages and can range from short-long term care. This support enables you to have the constant reassurance that there is always someone there to provide you with consistent and professional care to the highest standards.
Whether you need assistance with personal care in the morning or accessing the toilet safely in the middle of the night, your dedicated team of carers will be there whenever you need them.
How can a live in carer support me at home?
24-hour care provides you with a live-in carer to support you in your own home.
Our live-in care managers work alongside you and your family to decide on the most appropriate care for you and ensure everything meets your needs and wishes. Creating your bespoke nursing care plan is a collaborative process so that everything is tailored to you and your requirements, regardless of your health condition.
Our carers can support you with:
Personal care
Bathing, dressing, toileting, stoma and catheter support.
Mobility support
Hoists, assisted transfers and mobility aids.
Condition-led care
Dementia, cancer, Parkinson’s and more.
Medication help
Collecting, organising and prompting medication.
Housekeeping
Light housework and help around the home.
Preparing meals
Preparing favourite meals, drinks and snacks.
Running errands
Prescriptions, shopping and post.
Friendly companionship
Genuine company and emotional support.
How does 24-hour live in care work?
24-hour live-in care involves having two live-in carers with you in your home at all times.
If you or your loved one require 24-hour care for complex care needs, you may need two live-in carers, or one live-in carer alongside support from our local visiting care team. Your extra carer who will cover your live-in carer’s breaks and provide support for you overnight. So, if your loved one has advanced dementia and needs constant care during the day and wakes throughout the night, we will ensure we have the very best team of live-in and visiting carers to support them, who will get to know them and their routines and be able to provide care tailored specifically for them.
Is 24-hour care an alternative to care homes?
24-hour care is seen as a direct alternative to a care home or supported living arrangement, providing you with dedicated, one-to-one support in every aspect of daily life. Here are some of the many benefits of opting for live-in care over residential care:
You can remain in the comfort of your own home
You have full control over your meal times and preferences
One-to-one, 24-hour care from your own dedicated carer
You can continue with your preferred lifestyle and routines
Your friends and family can visit as much as they like
The advantages of 24-hour care
24-hour care provides an unrivalled level of support in the comfort of your own home.
There are many advantages of 24-hour care, but perhaps the most important aspect for having round-the-clock care at home is that everything is done on your terms, overseen by your local care manager.
There are no prescribed meals or set times for getting up in the morning; everything is carried out the way you want it to be and when you want it to occur.
Other advantages of live-in care include:
Around-the-clock support
Live-in care means that you have constant support at all times. Whether you need help toileting in the middle of the night, or want a friendly companion to accompany you out for lunch, you’ll always have someone on hand.
Constant peace of mind
Not only does 24-hour care give you constant peace of mind, but it also reassures your loved ones that you’ll be getting the support you need at all hours of the day – something you truly can’t put a price on
Supported independence
24-hour care allows you to be as independent as possible by having a carer constantly on hand to support your needs. Our person-centred care plans put your wishes first, allowing you to keep living life on your terms.
Familiar surroundings
24-hour care allows you to remain in the home that you love, surrounded by your favourite furnishings, sights and memories. This familiarity can be particularly beneficial for people living with types of dementia.
Complex care needs
Having dedicated, nurse-supported care at home allows your carers to understand any complex care needs you may have, including those living with types of dementia. Your carers will be able to monitor your condition.
Care tailored to your needs
Having care at home, rather than moving to a residential nursing home, means that your care plan will be fully customised to your personal requirements and preferences, rather than following a prescribed routine
Read about how we’re supporting others
We love sharing stories about how our customers are benefitting from having a live-in carer. Find out how Kathleen and Enid’s live-in carers, Chris and Amanda, have helped them to maintain independent, fulfilling lifestyles in their own homes.
Kathleen
Live-in care customer
Enid
Live-in care customer
3 simple steps…
Arranging 24-hour home care
Speak to our team
Our friendly, knowledgeable team can answer your questions and talk you through your options. We are available 7 days a week.
Book a free care assessment
Your local Helping Hands care manager will visit you to understand your needs and preferences and discuss how we can help. We can visit you at home, in hospital or even a care home to carry out the care assessment.
Confirm your care package
We create a tailored care plan for you to review. Once you’ve agreed the plan, we can organise care in as little as 24 hours.
A fully regulated home care provider
Here at Helping Hands, our service is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW).
This means we need to consistently meet high standards and are monitored by our regulators.
Why is being a regulated care provider important?
Independent inspections of our service, giving you peace of mind
Fully vetted, high-quality carers
Guaranteed training and development for our staff
24-hour care FAQs
24-hour home care consists physical, practical, personal and emotional support given at home during either the day of night.
Whether that’s helping you bathe and dress, accompanying you out of your home, doing the housework, or simply spending an evening enjoying a cup of tea and a game of cards, our carers can do it.
Dementia is a complex condition, which means that everyone living with it will have slightly different support needs. It’s common for those with advanced dementia to require a more round-the-clock care, especially if they’re living alone.
After your initial phone call, we’ll do our utmost to make sure your support starts as quickly as possible. Sometimes this can be done within 24 hours, and sometimes it can take a little bit longer depending on whether there’s a carer available. Your local care manager will make sure your wishes are being listened to and respected every step of the way.
24-hour home care can be a great option for anyone living with a complex medical condition who requires comprehensive support, as well as anyone who would benefit from having a proactive care option to maintain their well-being and independence.
Page reviewed by Vanessa Ogiesewu, Regional Clinical Lead, on June 2, 2026.
How we wrote this page
This page has been produced referencing key insights and data from external experts, trusted medical sources and our team of in-house specialists. We have worked hard to ensure that all information is as accurate as possible and reflects current consensus at the time of writing and reviewing.