Do Live-in Carers Do Housework? And What Kind of Housework?

Yes, live-in carers typically assist with housework, which includes cleaning, laundry, and meal preparation, in addition to providing personal care and support, ensuring a comfortable living environment for their clients.

An essential aspect of live-in care involves maintaining a clean and safe environment for clients. In this blog post, we will explore the extent of housework performed by live-in carers and discuss balancing care provision and domestic chores while prioritising clients’ well-being.

Live-in Carers’ Primary Responsibilities

Live-in carers are primarily responsible for providing personalised care and support tailored to their client’s individual needs. Their duties often include assisting with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation; supporting clients with mobility and transfers; administering medications; monitoring health conditions; and providing companionship and emotional support.

The Role of Housework in Live-in Care

A clean, organised, comfortable living environment supports clients’ well-being and health. It can also help minimise potential hazards and risks, especially for clients with limited mobility or specific health conditions. As such, live-in carers are often expected to perform various housekeeping tasks to keep the client’s home clean and orderly.

Do Carers Do the Dishes?

Carers are responsible for preparing meals and ensuring clients’ dietary needs are met. As part of this duty, carers often wash dishes and clean up the kitchen after meals.

Do Carers Wash Clothes?

Live-in carers can assist with laundry tasks, such as washing, drying, and folding clients’ clothing and linens, ensuring these items are clean and readily available.

Ensure you have a working washing machine and an easily accessible clothesline or a tumble dryer. This will make their lives much easier so they can return to looking after your loved ones.

Do Carers Do the Ironing?

Carers may help with ironing, depending on the client’s preferences and needs. Ironing may be essential to keep clients confident and comfortable with their appearance, but it may need to be skipped if the carer is busy.

Do Carers Change Bedding?

Yes, a carer can change bedsheets regularly or when called for if required. Ensuring your loved one is warm and comfortable is essential to their role.

Do Carers Vacuum the Floor?

Yes, a carer should have time to push the hoover around a few times a week. Consider investing in a lightweight, portable vacuum cleaner to give your carer more time to focus on their care role.

Balancing Care and Domestic Chores

While housework forms an essential aspect of live-in care, it is crucial to prioritise clients’ well-being and ensure that housekeeping tasks do not compromise the quality of care provided. Live-in carers should work closely with their clients to determine which tasks should take precedence and create schedules or to-do lists that reflect this prioritisation.

The Limits of Live-in Carers’ Housework Responsibilities

It is essential to recognise that live-in carers are not solely housekeepers and should not be expected to perform all housekeeping tasks, especially those requiring deep cleaning or specialist expertise. For more demanding or specialised cleaning services, calling in dedicated cleaning professionals might be necessary.

Creating an Effective Care and Housework Partnership

Clear communication and expectations between clients and carers are vital to establishing an effective live-in care arrangement that balances care provision and housework. This process may involve:

• Creating and regularly updating care plans accurately reflecting clients’ unique needs and desires for care and housekeeping tasks.
• Addressing and resolving any concerns or difficulties related to housework appropriately and promptly.
• Allowing for flexibility and adaptability in schedules and routines to ensure that clients’ most pressing needs are always met.

The Benefits of Combining Care and Housework

When successfully balanced, combining care provision with housekeeping tasks can enhance clients’ overall quality of life by:

• Simplifying and streamlining care services eliminates the need for multiple providers and reduces potential stressors for clients and their families.
• Supporting clients’ independence and autonomy enables them to remain in a familiar and comfortable environment while receiving the required assistance.
• Encouraging a sense of ownership and pride in clients’ living spaces, contributing positively to their mental and emotional well-being.

Conclusion

The relationship between live-in care and housework is inextricable, as both components contribute to clients’ overall well-being and quality of life. Striking the right balance between care provision and domestic chores is essential to ensure clients receive high-quality, personalised care that addresses their unique needs and preferences. PrimeCarers is committed to helping clients find the perfect live-in carer to support them in maintaining both their health and their homes, empowering them to enjoy an improved quality of life in the familiar surroundings of their own residences.