Live-In vs Hourly Care — Which Is Better?Richmond, Kew, Barnes, Twickenham, Ealing, Hammersmith, Fulham, Hounslow, Hayes, Wandsworth & Merton
Choosing between a live-in carer and hourly (visiting) care depends on needs, home layout, budget and safety. This short guide compares both options, gives a practical decision checklist and explains why verifying CQC registration must always be step one.
At a glance: Live-In vs Hourly
Live-In Care (24/7)
Pros: continuous companionship, immediate help in an emergency, consistent single-carer relationship and support for complex daily routines. Cons: higher weekly cost, privacy trade-offs and the house must be suitable for a carer to live-in.
Hourly / Visiting Care
Pros: flexible, usually cheaper short-term, good for social or domestic support. Cons: less continuity, risk of rushed calls, and potentially multiple carers visiting each week.
How to decide — a practical checklist
- Care intensity: Does the person need 24-hour supervision or just help with washing, dressing and medication?
- Safety & falls risk: If there’s a high risk of falls or confusion overnight, live-in may be safer.
- Companionship: Loneliness and dementia-related needs often benefit from sustained presence.
- Home suitability: Is there space and facilities for a live-in carer (room, privacy)?
- Budget & funding: Compare weekly live-in fees to aggregated hourly visits; check local authority and NHS options.
- Continuity & preference: Is a small team of regular carers preferred over many short visits?
Why you must check CQC registration (and how)
Always confirm CQC registration before engaging a provider. The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator for health and adult social care in England; providers delivering regulated activities (for example, Personal Care) must be registered. Checking the CQC record tells you whether the provider is authorised for that activity and shows inspection reports and ratings.
Local notes — things to watch for in each borough
Richmond • Kew • Barnes
River crossings and narrow streets can affect visits and travel time—confirm agreed visit lengths and contingency cover.
Twickenham • Ealing • Hounslow
Expect traffic peaks and, near Hounslow/Hayes, Heathrow-related congestion—ask how the provider schedules carers during rush hours.
Hammersmith • Fulham • Wandsworth
Parking and high-density streets can cause delays—clarify punctuality policies and arrival windows.
Merton
Diverse needs across neighbourhoods—ensure the provider can match carers for mobility or memory care as required.
Costs, contracts & what to sign
Live-in care is usually charged as a weekly fee (includes overnight allowance) while hourly care is priced per visit/minute. Ask for a written contract that sets visit lengths, travel time policy, cancellation/notice terms and safeguarding procedures. Check whether agency or direct-hire arrangements change cost or continuity.
Next steps — practical actions
- Decide whether safety, companionship or cost is the top priority.
- Make a shortlist of 2–3 CQC-registered providers and request written care plans and sample contracts.
- Meet proposed carers where possible and ask for references and DBS checks.
Need help comparing options in your area? Contact our team or view our services — we cover Richmond, Kew, Barnes, Twickenham, Ealing, Hammersmith, Fulham, Hounslow, Hayes, Wandsworth and Merton.