When deciding to pursue a career in care work, we are often faced with the choice of working as live-in carers or working in a care home.

Both options have advantages and disadvantages and both are worth looking into for a career. While many applicants have previous experience in care work, it is possible that only one choice will be suitable.

What makes one decide on care work?

Often the start of care work comes from taking care of a grandparent or even parent, although occasionally it is the need for work that can include family which helps with the decision.

Is there a great difference between the two paths?

Yes, the two career paths are worlds apart although the end objective is the same, namely to take care of people.

One of the main differences between live-in care and working in a care home is the clientele, which in a care home may be far less mobile than in their own home. 

Many people in care homes rely entirely on staff to take care of them, doing literally everything for them that they cannot do themselves. 

Lots of people are bed bound in care homes and almost all of them require full time support from staff in moving, showering and dressing.

While working in a care home can be stressful and quite emotional at times, having a complete support team to work with does, to a certain extent, take some of the pressure off the care workers. 

Should the care worker become overwhelmed by anything, they can take a break knowing that there is someone to cover for them until they return.

There will always be another person who can help with things like hoisting, which believe it or not, are often done by single live-in carers. 

In a care home, it is unlikely that the care worker is required to do the shopping, cooking and house cleaning, while in live-in care this is often part of the job description. 

With live-in care the carer may be completely responsible for correctly administering any medication, handling appointments, keeping the finances in order, along with every other part of running a home, should the client be unable to do this.

Should there be night calls in a care home, there will be staff to handle them, while in live-in care, this normally falls to the carer, until other arrangements can be made.

What about relationships with clients?

It may be difficult to build a steady support relationship with a client because there are so many care workers who take turns in helping. It may be that while the care workers are wonderful people, the client never really develops a rapport with anyone, because there are several who attend to their needs. 

In live-in care, there is an opportunity to develop a very special relationship with a client, based on trust and routine, which is what most clients will appreciate. In live-in care, the daily routine revolves around them and their needs only, rather than everyone else in the care home.

Are care homes impersonal?

Most clients bring one or two of their favourite pictures with them to a care home, but in a home situation the house may be filled with special pictures and constant reminders of family and loved ones. 

Does personality make the difference?

Staff who work in care homes need to be able to be team players, namely, they need to be able to work well with other carers, while live-in carers need to have a very strong ability to work on their own, make any decisions by themselves and handle any situation which may arise on their own.

Live-in carers must be willing and able to take responsibility for any situation that arises, without needing to check with other people (although family do appreciate being involved.)

There is no opportunity to simply leave the house and go for a walk should the carer be upset or frustrated, as clients are not left alone unless agreed, so any feelings must be addressed right there and then.

Final thoughts

There is no right and wrong in either career path. It is entirely up to each individual which one suits them best. Both are stressful at times, and can be frustrating, and both can equally be very satisfying and rewarding.

One thing is sure, should you be unhappy in one career path, you may want to try a change to another. A move from care work to live-in care, and vice versa is not difficult and may be the best thing you could ever do for yourself.

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