✧ Live-in care in Reading
Live-in Care in Reading
Live-in Care Direct provides fully tailored, one-to-one live-in care in Reading and the surrounding area, matching families with a carer who fits their needs and personality.
- 24–48 hours Typical time to start care in Reading
- From £1,200 a week The same rate nationwide, not by postcode
- Care Quality Commission (CQC) Regulates home care in England
- 107 areas Covered across the South East
We provide one-to-one live-in care throughout Reading, offering families a real alternative to a care home while keeping their loved one in familiar surroundings.
What is live-in care?
Live-in care means a professional carer moves into the home and provides one-to-one support day and night. Unlike hourly visiting care, which works to a fixed schedule, a live-in carer is there continuously — able to respond when something is needed rather than when the next visit is due.
Old age has its pros and cons. You have achieved what you want in life and you can live life stress-free and work free. At this age, you have ample time for yourself. But old age comes with its cons also. In this part of life, one becomes dependant on other people for many things which include routine tasks and special care in case one is suffering from a medical illness. With Live in Care Direct this problem is solved too. You don’t have to worry about burdening anyone with the responsibility of your care as Live in Care Direct provides Live in Carers for elderly members.
What a live-in carer in Reading can help with
Support is tailored to each person. Families in Reading typically ask for help with:
- Help with washing, dressing, continence care and personal dignity
- Prompting and managing medication safely
- Preparing familiar meals and monitoring appetite and hydration
- Day-to-day housekeeping, laundry and shopping
- Genuine company — conversation, activities and routine
- Escorting to medical appointments and social outings
Why families in Reading choose live-in care
For many families in Reading, live-in care is the option that keeps everything familiar: the same house, the same bed, the same view from the window, but with proper support in place.
Enjoying life is possible in old age also. When old age makes you dependant on external help, Live in Care Direct got you covered. With our team of care providers, you can get all your needs taken care of without any hassle and can enjoy life more than ever. Focus on your long-forgotten hobbies, invest time in community work if possible, keep a pet if you like their company, do a bit of gardening if your health allows. You just focus on the good parts of life, the rest we have you covered. Our carers will take excellent care of you and will even prove to be the best companion you ever had. They will help you with everyday tasks and assist you in any other activity you want. They will help you and assist you just like a family member. They will keep you happy and healthy. Our team of exceptional carers is the best in their line of work. They are dedicated individuals whose life desire is to take care of others. This quality makes them special and the best fit for our company as we aim to hire only those people who we can trust with our family members.
Who live-in care is for
We arrange live-in care for older people who are no longer safe alone, for people managing long-term conditions such as Parkinson's or MS, for couples who don't want to be separated by a care home placement, and for families who need respite from caring themselves.
What live-in care costs
Pricing is straightforward: one clear weekly figure, agreed before care begins. There are no hidden charges for everyday tasks, and for couples the cost is usually far lower than two residential placements.
What you get
What a live-in carer in Reading does
Being straight about the boundaries saves everyone a difficult conversation later.
Included in the weekly fee
- Personal care — washing, dressing, continence support
- Medication prompting and administration
- Cooking, meal preparation and special diets
- Light housework, laundry and changing beds
- Shopping, errands and prescription collection
- Getting to appointments and social visits
- Companionship, conversation and daily routine
- Mobility support, transfers and falls prevention
- Pet care — walks, feeding, vet trips
- A named care manager and 24/7 office support
Not included
- Nursing tasks requiring a registered nurse (district nurses continue to visit)
- The carer's food — the household provides everyday meals
- Household bills, rent or council tax on the carer's behalf
- Two-person handling where a hoist requires two carers (that is our Advanced plan)
Weighing the options
Live-in care, visiting care or a care home?
The three choices most families in Reading are deciding between.
| Feature | Live-in care | Visiting care | Care home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stays in their own home | Yes | Yes | No |
| Support through the night | Yes | Rarely | Yes |
| The same carer each day | Yes | Rota of staff | Rota of staff |
| Keeps pets and belongings | Yes | Yes | Usually not |
| Couples stay together | Yes | Yes | Often separated |
| Typical cost | £1,200 a week | Varies with hours | Varies by home |
Visiting care and care home costs vary widely by area and provider, so we don’t quote figures we can’t stand behind. See our pricing in full →
How it works
Arranging care in Reading
Three steps, and the first one is just a conversation.
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1
Tell us what you need
A friendly, no-obligation call to understand the situation, explain how the care works and give you an estimated weekly cost.
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2
Choose your carer
We send profiles of available carers matched to your needs. You can speak to them on a video call before deciding.
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3
Care begins at home
Your carer moves in and support starts, with a named care manager checking in regularly to make sure it's working.
Funding & regulation
Paying for care in Reading
Home care is regulated and funded differently in each nation, so the route is not the same everywhere. Here is how it works where you live.
Read our full funding guide →Who regulates care here
Home care in England is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Where funding comes from
Apply through your local authority's adult social care team. Means-tested local authority funding and NHS Continuing Healthcare are both available depending on assessed need.
How we fit in
Live-in Care Direct is an introductory agency. We introduce self-employed carers to families rather than employing them, so you contract directly with your carer and keep the choice of who provides your care.
Our carers
The carers who could support you in Reading
Our carers are spread across the UK, supported by regional care managers. Every one is interviewed in person, enhanced DBS checked and reference-checked before they are ever introduced to a family — and you choose who moves in.
- Interviewed face to face, never hired on paperwork alone
- Enhanced DBS checked, with references verified
- You meet and approve your carer before they start
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Refiloe
Live-in carer
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Monica
Live-in carer
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Gladys
Live-in carer
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Vistorine
Live-in carer
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Patience
Live-in carer
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Brenda
Live-in carer
Our services
Care services available in Reading
Nearby
Areas we cover near Reading
Free callback
Speak to someone about care in Reading
Leave your number and a care manager will call you back — usually within an hour, and always free.
- No obligation. A conversation, not a sales call — and never a call centre.
- A real care manager. Someone who arranges care every day, who can answer properly.
- Just two details. Your name and number — we don’t need an email address.
Or call us now on 0800 368 8558 Lines open 8am–10pm, seven days a week
Common questions
Live-in care in Reading
Local answers on timing, regulation and funding.
Not seeing your question?
Our care managers answer these every day. A no-obligation call takes about ten minutes.
0800 368 8558Lines open 8am–10pm, seven days a week See all questionsHow quickly can live-in care start in Reading?
We can normally arrange a carer usually inside seven days. Where the situation is urgent — a hospital discharge or a sudden change at home — cover in Reading can often be in place within 24 to 48 hours.
Who regulates care in the South East?
Home care providers in the South East are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Live-in Care Direct works as an introductory agency, which means we introduce experienced self-employed carers rather than employing them, so we sit outside Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration. It is the model most live-in care specialists use, and it is what lets you choose your own carer.
Is there help with the cost in Reading?
Funding is arranged through your local authority's adult social care team. Means-tested local authority funding and NHS Continuing Healthcare are both available depending on assessed need. Our care managers can talk you through what to apply for, and in what order, before you commit to anything.