Live-In Care

A caregiver who lives in the home, offering steady day-to-day support and company.

Find live-in care caregiversWhat is included
An older couple using a laptop together on their sofa at home
Who it helps
People who need help through the day and someone nearby at night, without moving out of home.
Type of care
Non-medical, in your home, by the hour, overnight or live-in
Often combined with
Elderly Care, Overnight Care, Meal Preparation

What live-in care includes

Every caregiver sets out exactly which tasks they offer on their profile. These are the most common ones; agree on the details in your care request.

  • Steady daily support

    Routines, meals and company every day.

  • Personal care

    Morning and evening routines.

  • Cooking

    Regular, familiar meals.

  • Running the home

    Laundry, tidying and shopping.

  • Someone nearby at night

    Within an agreed sleep period.

  • Errands and appointments

    Getting out and keeping up with the week.

  • Family coordination

    Regular updates and a shared calendar.

  • Planned days off

    Cover arranged with a second caregiver.

Is live-in care right for your family?

Non-medical help covers daily life at home. Some needs call for a licensed professional instead, and many families use both.

A good fit when

  • Your loved one needs help at many points in the day
  • Moving to a facility is not what they want
  • There is a spare bedroom for the caregiver
  • You can plan for days off and a second caregiver

Ask a licensed professional for

  • 24/7 awake care by one person
  • Skilled nursing needs
  • Homes without private space for the caregiver

Your loved one's doctor can refer you to a licensed home health agency. Many families combine both kinds of help.

Example schedules

Most families start with a few hours and adjust. Enter an hourly rate to estimate a monthly budget; real rates are set by each caregiver on their profile.

Example rate. Change it to see your estimate.

Five days live-in

60 hours / week

Weekdays live-in with family covering weekends.

About $7,794 per month

Full week, two caregivers

84 hours / week

Two caregivers alternating to cover every day.

About $10,912 per month

Trial fortnight

60 hours / week

A two-week trial before a longer agreement.

About $7,794 per month

Estimate = hourly rate × hours per week × 4.33 weeks. It excludes any payment processing fee, mileage or overtime. See our guide to care costs.

A closer look at live-in care

Is live-in care right for you?

Live-in care can be an alternative to moving into a care facility for people who need help throughout the day and someone nearby at night. The caregiver lives in the home, gets to know the household well, and provides steady, familiar support.

What a live-in arrangement usually involves

  • A private bedroom for the caregiver and access to a bathroom and kitchen
  • Defined working hours, meal breaks and an uninterrupted sleep period
  • Regular days off, often covered by a second caregiver
  • A written agreement on duties, schedule, pay and notice

Know the rules

Live-in arrangements raise questions about wages, hours and taxes. Federal and state wage-and-hour laws can apply to home care workers, including minimum wage and, in some situations, overtime. The rules for live-in workers and for families who hire directly are different, and several states have their own domestic worker protections. If you employ someone directly, you may have household employer duties; IRS Publication 926 explains them. A local employment attorney or payroll service can help you set it up correctly.

Finding a live-in caregiver on CaregiverCrew

Look for caregivers who list "Live-in arrangements" in their preferences and who are open to monthly arrangements. In your care request, describe the home, the daily routine and the time off you can offer. Meet more than once before agreeing, and plan a trial period.

Questions about live-in care

Short answers to what families ask most. More in our FAQ.

What does a live-in caregiver need?

A private bedroom, access to a bathroom and kitchen, defined working hours, meal breaks, an uninterrupted sleep period and regular days off.

Are there legal rules for live-in care?

Federal and state wage-and-hour laws can apply, and rules differ for live-in workers and for families who hire directly. A payroll service or employment attorney can help.

How do we start?

Meet more than once, agree duties and time off in writing, and plan a trial period before committing longer.

Helpful guides

All resources
Care Costs 3 min read

How Much Does In-Home Care Cost? Rates, Budgets and Ways to Pay

National benchmarks for hourly in-home care, how to estimate a monthly budget, and the programs that may help pay for non-medical care.
Home Care 3 min read

Home Care vs. Home Health vs. Assisted Living: What Is the Difference?

Three terms that are often confused. Here is what each one means, who provides it, how it is usually paid for, and how to decide.
Aging in Place 3 min read

Aging in Place: A Practical Planning Guide for Families

What it really takes to grow older at home: health, the house itself, money, daily help and a plan for when needs change.

Find live-in care near you

Compare reviewed caregivers, see their rates and availability, and send a free care request. No obligation.

Browse caregivers How it works

Caregivers on CaregiverCrew provide non-medical support only. They do not diagnose, treat, administer injections or perform skilled nursing tasks. Rules about what non-licensed caregivers may do differ by state; when in doubt, ask your loved one's doctor.

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