What is live-in care?

A live-in caregiver lives in the home of the person they care for and helps day to day, typically with personal care, household tasks, company and supervision. It is one way to provide the in-home care that the Alzheimer's Association says can allow a person with dementia to stay in their own home. The association suggests confirming availability and backup arrangements if the caregiver is sick.

A live-in caregiver can provide the non-medical kinds of in-home help the Alzheimer's Association describes: companion services such as supervision and activities, personal care such as bathing, dressing, toileting and eating, and homemaker services such as housekeeping, shopping and meals. Skilled tasks such as wound care and injections need a nurse or therapist, usually arranged through a home health agency.

No. Medicare.gov says Medicare does not pay for 24-hour care at home, homemaker services unrelated to a care plan, or custodial and personal care when that is the only care you need. It covers only part-time or intermittent home health care for people who qualify. Families usually pay for live-in care themselves or through long-term care insurance, Medicaid programs or VA benefits.

Start by listing the person's care needs, then ask their doctor for recommendations and search the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 or the Alzheimer's Association's Community Resource Finder. The association suggests interviewing candidates at home with a third person present, checking references, and asking about dementia experience, first aid and CPR, availability, backup when sick and whether they are bonded.

There is no standard price. The Alzheimer's Association says home care costs vary with the services provided, where you live and whether any insurance or Medicare coverage applies. The National Institute on Aging notes that many families pay out of pocket, and that long-term care insurance, Medicaid home and community-based programs and VA benefits may help. Ask each provider for its rates and what they include.