24 hour care in the home from a dedicated one to one carer is a surprisingly affordable solution and can provide you with a much better quality of life than other types of care. Having a professional who is always around to provide the assistance or support you need at any time of the day or night means you can continue to enjoy all the benefits of living at home.

This is particularly important if you are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, because staying in a familiar environment can mean that you avoid the stress and upset of moving to a strange place and having to live with people you do not know.

One to one carers do not only offer physical care; they are there to provide emotional support and help with the social aspects of your life as well as ensuring that daily activities such as washing, dressing, eating and sleeping are all looked after.

If you decide on one to one care, you will need to ensure that there is a private bedroom available for the carer, but other than this, little preparation is needed. The carer will share your kitchen and cook nutritious meals that you enjoy. In addition to looking after you, the carer will also help with the domestic tasks that may have become difficult for you over recent years. They can do your shopping for you, or if you prefer, accompany you while you look around the shops. If you are a car owner, a live in carer could drive you out and about provided that you ensure the correct insurance cover is in place.

One of the advantages of live in care is that you will have much greater choice and flexibility in all aspects of your life. You can decide what time to get up, what time to go to bed and when and where you have your meals. If you opted for residential care in a care home this could be very different because you would have to “fit in” with the needs of other residents to some extent.

Remaining in your own home also means that you do not have to give up all the social activities you enjoy in the local area. You will still be able to meet friends, attend groups and socialise with your neighbours, knowing that there is a carer there to support you if needed.

A further advantage of one to one care is that if you have pets, you can continue to enjoy their company and if you find caring for them has become too difficult, your live in carer will help with feeding and exercising them as necessary.

This type of care can avoid the distressing task of trying to sort out your home and deciding which of your treasured possessions you will be able to keep with you if you go into residential care. Simply needing 24 hour support does not mean you cannot continue to enjoy life to the full.