Hire the right live-in caregiver, with confidence.
Bringing a caregiver into the home is a big decision. Start with the 12 questions every family should answer before calling an agency or posting a job.
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12 questions to ask before hiring live-in care, as a printable PDF.
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Decide what you need
Work out whether live-in care fits, what it will cost, and whether an agency or a private hire suits your family.
Hire carefully
Interview with purpose, check references properly, and put the arrangement in writing before day one.
Settle in well
Give your caregiver a clear care plan, routines and house rules, so everyone knows what to expect.
The Live-In Care Hiring Kit
Every template and checklist a family needs to find, hire and settle in a live-in caregiver. Print them, or fill them in on screen.
- Is live-in care right for us? needs check
- Budget and cost worksheet
- Agency vs. private hire comparison
- Step-by-step hiring checklist
- Job description template
- Interview questions and scorecard
- Reference check script
- Live-in caregiver agreement template
- Personal care plan
- Daily care log
- Medication schedule
- Emergency information sheet
- House rules and time-off planner
- First-week plan and 30-day check-in
Common questions
What is live-in care?
A caregiver lives in the home and helps with daily living, meals, medications and companionship. It usually suits people who need help through the day but mostly sleep through the night.
Should we use an agency or hire privately?
An agency handles payroll, screening and backup cover, at a higher cost. A private hire costs less, but your family becomes the employer. The kit compares both side by side.
Is the caregiver agreement legally binding?
It is a starting template. Pay, hours and rest rules for live-in workers vary by location, so have it reviewed locally before anyone signs.