As an older loved one experiences physical and cognitive decline, the level of help they require can range from weekly family visits and errands to companion care. Even if a senior’s care requirements escalate to the point where it is no longer safe for them to be alone 24/7, some wish to remain at home and age in place. This can put immense pressure on loved ones trying to provide around-the-clock care themselves. The most practical option for some: hire a live-in carer.
A live-in carer is just what it sounds like: This is someone who lives with a patient, providing care 24 hours a day for either several days or weeks at a time, or daily on an indefinite basis. The goal is to give families peace of mind and their ageing loved one quality care by a skilled professional.
If you’re just starting to explore this option, you may be unsure of what to budget for this type of care or what a typical rate might be. If you’re considering hiring a live-in carer, here are the basics on what you can expect to pay.
What to know about the various types of live-in carers
Before trying to figure out how much you can expect to pay a live-in carer, it’s important to understand that this is actually a blanket term. This title generally refers to someone who remains in an elderly person’s home around the clock, assisting for a few days in a row until they’re relieved by another caregiver. However, there are a couple different types of live-in carers.
1. Live-in with an inactive sleepover at night and on-site breaks
With typical live-in caregiving, a main caregiver works between 3 and 5 days each week, providing 24-hour help during this time. The caregiver is able to sleep for 8 hours at night and a bed must be provided. The caregiver remains on-site, even during their daytime breaks, since the client can’t be left unattended due to cognitive impairments or because they’re likely to wander off.
2. Live-in with active care at night
Another type of live-in care is when an overnight support worker provides help during sleeping hours—which usually adds up to anywhere from 6 to 8 hours—so that the day caregiver can rest. This type of care is recommended in situations where the senior wanders, wakes frequently, has personal or special care needs, or requires repositioning to prevent bedsores.
How live-in carers’ rates are determined
Many factors play into how much a family or elderly person will pay for this type of care, including whether you are hiring privately or working with an agency.
Different areas in the country might also have different rates.
Other resume points a carer may have that can impact overall pay:
- Existing training or certifications
- Willingness to work off-hours, around the clock, and on public holidays versus working only daytime shifts
- Proficiencies in additional languages
- Willingness to work with clients who might require a higher level of assistance
- At least 2 years of experience
- Experience caring for more challenging cases
What you can expect to pay for live-in care
A carer doing an active overnight will typically cost between $40 and $45 per hour, while a carer doing an inactive night is paid for 6 inactive hours and 2 active hours, meaning their fee is lower. Twenty-four-hour live-in carers usually cost about $400 per shift on weekdays and roughly $450 on weekends.
How to discuss pay with a potential candidate
If you decide to go the private route instead of working with an agency, it will be up to you and your potential live-in carer to determine their rate—bearing in mind that it needs to be in line with minimum wage entitlements. But first, you need to put on your employer hat, and remember that although you’ll likely be paying less hourly, you’ll now be responsible for covering things like super and annual leave, as well as drafting a contract that specifies your carer’s schedule and responsibilities.
It’s important to note that carers should be compensated adequately for their time and effort. Most importantly, make sure both of you are comfortable with the working arrangement before it commences.