Can you avoid a care home forever? Long-term live-in care



It’s a common misconception that those receiving care at home will eventually need to move into a residential setting. This is largely because, as conditions worsen and support needs develop, families can begin to worry that their loved one won’t receive the right level of support at home. However, this is far from the truth. Read on to find out why long-term care at home is beneficial. 

Can you receive long-term care at home? 

Long-term care at home is not only possible: it is often preferred by individuals and their families, allowing them to receive consistent, personalised support while remaining in the comfort and familiarity of their own home. From help with daily tasks and medication management to specialised care for conditions like dementia or cancer, care can be tailored to suit changing needs. Whether through hourly care visits or live-in care support, home care offers a flexible, compassionate alternative to residential care, helping people maintain their independence, dignity, and quality of life for as long as possible.

Long-term care at home vs nursing home care

Whilst both residential care and care at home provide crucial support, there are a number of key differences you should consider when choosing long-term care: 

  • Familiar surroundings: Staying at home provides comfort and stability, helping to reduce stress, confusion, and feelings of isolation, especially important for those living with dementia or other cognitive conditions.
  • One-on-one, personalised care: Home care offers dedicated attention tailored to the individual’s unique needs, unlike the shared support often found in nursing homes. 
  • Greater independence: People can maintain their daily routines, personal choices, and independence for longer in their own homes. For example, a long-term client of Ashridge enjoyed daily walks to her local village shop right into her late 80s.
  • Stronger emotional wellbeing: Being close to loved ones, pets, and personal belongings can greatly boost mood and mental health. Ashridge recently celebrated a client’s 100th birthday with her visiting care team arranging for the town crier, whom she had known since he was a boy, to visit on her special birthday.
  • Flexible, evolving support: Care plans can be adapted as needs change, ensuring continuous, consistent care without the disruption of moving.

Is long-term care at home possible for everyone? 

Receiving care at home is a possibility for everyone, with specialist care that supports a range of complex conditions and healthcare needs. Live-in care can be adapted to suit multiple conditions and needs, with some of the most common long-term live-in care support detailed below: 

Live-in care for disabilities and chronic conditions 

When a loved one is living with a disability or lifelong condition like cerebral palsy, stroke recovery, or other physical disabilities, receiving the right care at home can make a world of difference. Live-in care offers more than just support with pain, mobility, and daily tasks: it encourages independence and prioritises mental wellbeing too. With compassionate, tailored care, your loved one can live safely and confidently in their own home for years to come. Ashridge cares for a client with Parkinson’s Disease, supporting her move back home after a stay in hospital. Supported by our live-in care team, she was brought home with a specialist Parkinson’s carer who supports her rehabilitation, physio and liaises with district nurses to support her healing and recovery.

Long-term elderly care at home 

Long-term elderly care at home offers essential support while allowing elderly people to remain in the comfort of familiar surroundings. For many older people, moving later in life can be upsetting, often leading to feelings of confusion and isolation. Home care helps avoid this disruption, providing stability and emotional reassurance. With dedicated, one-on-one support that evolves with changing needs, elderly family members can continue living safely and comfortably in a place they know and love.

End-of-life care at home 

End-of-life care is hugely important to families, ensuring their loved one is comfortable and pain-free so that they can enjoy their remaining time with the people they love. Receiving end-of-life care, or palliative care, at home allows family members to spend quality time together, whilst their loved one’s pain is expertly managed by a carer.

A recent success story for Ashridge was Mrs JB, who had made it clear to her POA that she wished to remain at home As her final days approached, communication between her carer, her son, and local health teams remained seamless. Every decision was made with compassion, clarity, and respect. On her last day, her live-in carer played Neil Diamond—her favourite artist. Surrounded by the comforts of home, Mrs. JB passed away peacefully just shy of her 90th birthday.

What are the benefits of receiving long-term care at home?

Receiving long-term care at home means getting compassionate, one-on-one support from carers who truly understand your loved one’s needs. As needs change, care plans can easily adapt to continue offering the same high standards of care within the familiarity of home. This gives families peace of mind, knowing that plans can be adapted whilst maintaining their independence. Live-in care for couples is more affordable too, as both can be supported under one plan rather than paying for two separate spaces in a care facility. Ashridge cares for a client living with his family in rural Essex who have lived at the same farmhouse for more than 50 years. Used to being outdoors, his wife struggled to look after him as he deteriorated with dementia, but his live-in carer enables them both to stay happy at home together and takes him on daily outings around the farm to maintain his well-established routine. 

Long-term live-in and hourly care at home with Ashridge Home Care 

Choosing long-term live-in or hourly care with Ashridge Home Care means your loved one can receive high-quality support in the comfort of their own home for many years to come. Rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), our dedicated team delivers personalised care plans tailored to each individual’s unique needs. We carefully match carers based not only on care requirements but also on personality, helping to build strong, trusting relationships. Our carers often become valued companions, offering stability, reassurance, and truly personal care every step of the way.

Want to find out more about how our live-in and hourly care services can provide a long-term care solution for your loved one? Get in touch today to speak to our team and tell us about your family’s needs.