Most adverts for live-in care positions will come with the statement saying that included in accommodation and food, and while this is true most of the time, there may be times when it is not strictly correct.

While every live-in carer placement, and certainly those that you are given by an agency will automatically include accommodation, there are some instances where food is not included.

Why is food not included?

This may be because the client has certain dietary issues which the family/agency/next of kin recognize as being unsuitable for the live-in carer. This can be due to certain medications or simply because of the health conditions of the client.

In instances like this there is normally a food allowance which is paid directly to the live-in carer so that their meals are covered.

The amount of this food allowance greatly varies from one place to another but generally speaking, the live-in carer should be able to cover her food costs economically each week. This is normally in the region of £35 - £49 per week, depending on where the placement is and what the individual feels is sufficient.

So, what else would the live-in carer pay for?

Most agencies will explain that if you eat the same type of food as your client, then you will be included in the weekly food bill, along with the shopping list and dietary needs. This works very well if you eat a regular diet, with no allergies or blatant dislikes.

For example, if your client only eats carrots and you prefer beans then it is acceptable that you add beans to the list instead of your portion of carrots. In the end the shopping bill turns out to be much the same.

You are perfectly within reason to ask for such things as cheese, eggs, skimmed milk and wholewheat bread as these are classed as ‘normal’ food requirements.

The food bill becomes an issue when the two diets are vastly dissimilar meaning that the shopping bill increases drastically.

For example, if you are a vegetarian or vegan you may prefer to eat food which is more expensive than a regular diet because you may need to buy it from a specialist shop. Not only will this mean a special trip, but the household bill will increase.

Issues such as being gluten free or Celiac can mean that the live-in carer needs to eat an entirely different diet to the client. Adding specific foods to the shopping list can quite easily double the weekly bill and leave family/client unhappy and unwilling to pay. 

What then?

Most agencies will tell you that if your diet is significantly different from your client you will be responsible for your own shopping bill. 

However, if, for example, you eat the same vegetables as your client but only add some items than what you eat the same as your client will be paid for by them. Only the food that differs from their regular diet is to be covered by you.

Final thoughts

In most instances it is unreasonable to expect your client/family to foot the bill for your lifestyle, should it be entirely different to that of your client. However, the food choices you share will and should be covered by your client. If not, you may want to question this with your agency.

Naturally, if your diet is completely different to that of your client you simply cannot expect them to cover your meals, and they most likely will not.

While no one has the right to insist that you eat the same food as them, it is worth remembering that if your diet is vastly different to your client, you may need to buy some or all your own food.

 

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