HHA/CNA/Companion Live-ins

The idea of live in caregivers is appealing to many families caring for elderly loved ones because they offer an alternative to assisted living or nursing homes, maintain the patient’s independence, and decrease the cost of care.

With “live in” caregiving, there is generally a main caregiver who works between 5 and 7 days each week. The caregiver is given an 8-hour period of undisturbed sleep at night, with this type of care a bed and a private room with a door must be provided. Patients must also provide at least 3 meals per day for the caregiver. The meals may consist of, bread, milk, eggs, beans, rice, etc. You do not have to provide special foods Ex: soy milk, fish, steak, etc. In addition, the caregiver is given meal breaks as well as 15-minute breaks every 4 hours during the daytime-hours. An alternative caregiver works the days the primary caregiver is off. “Live-in” caregivers are for patients that do not need constant care or someone that needs to also be in site. However, this can be a good fit for a patient that needs care and companionship, sleeps at night, and will benefit from all the other services a HHA/CNA provides.