Choosing the Right Live-in Carer: A Family Checklist

When families first see profiles of potential live-in carers, it can be hard to know what actually matters. Here is the checklist we use when introducing carers, and the questions we encourage families to ask.

Relevant care experience

Look for experience that mirrors your situation: dementia care if memory is declining, mobility support after a fall or stroke, or end-of-life experience where that is the stage you are at. Years of experience matter less than the right kind of experience.

Personality and compatibility

A live-in carer shares your home, so personality matters as much as skills. Quiet and gentle, chatty and outgoing, calm in a crisis — think about who your relative gets on with and say so openly. A good agency will use this to guide the match.

Practical, everyday skills

• Cooking meals your relative actually enjoys, including any dietary needs.
• Confident, safe help with washing, dressing and moving around the home.
• Driving licence if transport to appointments matters to you.
• Willingness to support hobbies, pets and the routines that anchor the day.

Vetting you should expect

Whichever agency you use, ask directly: is there an enhanced DBS check, proof of identity and right to work, and verified references? At CareSetup, no carer is introduced until staff have verified these personally.

The questions worth asking

• What experience do you have with someone in my mother's situation?
• How would you describe your approach to a difficult day?
• What does a typical day look like with the person you support?
• How do you like to spend your breaks?

Trust the introduction process

The right carer should feel like a natural fit, not just a set of certificates. Call CareSetup on 07727 304424 and we will introduce vetted carers whose experience, personality and availability genuinely match your family.