Live-in care for heart conditions

Yes, as long as needs are not mainly clinical. Carers help with daily life, such as washing, dressing, meals and getting about, at a pace that suits your loved one's energy. They follow the plan from the heart failure nurse or GP, for example helping with daily weighing, low-salt cooking and fluid guidance, and tell the nurse promptly about warning signs like sudden weight gain, swelling or breathlessness.

Yes. Live-in care can be arranged for the day your loved one comes home from hospital after surgery, so they have help with washing, dressing, meals and moving about safely while they recover. The carer follows the hospital's advice on activity and wound care checks, encourages cardiac rehabilitation exercises, and contacts the GP or ward if they're worried. Many families use live-in care for the first few weeks only.

Live-in care for heart conditions starts from £1,090 a week paid to the carer, plus our weekly agency fee of £250, and a one-off registration fee of £250. The household also provides the carer's food and a private room. The exact weekly rate depends on how much help is needed, especially at night, and we confirm it after a free assessment call, with no long contracts. Our cost page and cost calculator show how live-in care compares with a care home.

If the carer sees signs of a heart attack or a serious change, such as chest pain, severe breathlessness or collapse, they call 999 straight away, follow the call handler's instructions, and then let the family know. We'll also agree with you in advance who to call for less urgent worries, such as the heart failure nurse or NHS 111, so the carer knows exactly what to do.

Yes. People with heart conditions often take several medicines at different times. The carer prompts and helps with each dose as prescribed, keeps a simple record, and makes sure prescriptions are collected on time. They can also help your loved one get to cardiology, GP and rehabilitation appointments and remember what was said. Any changes to medication are made by the GP or specialist team.

Yes. The aim is to support your loved one to do as much as they safely can, with help on the tasks that leave them breathless or tired. The carer encourages gentle activity within the limits the heart team sets, helps with cooking heart-healthy meals, and gives the reassurance of having someone there at night. Many people find they feel more confident and do more with a carer around.

Medicare People currently provides introductory live-in care services. We have submitted our application to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and intend to introduce a fully managed live-in care service following registration. As an introductory agency, we find, check and introduce self-employed live-in carers, and the family agrees the day-to-day care with the carer directly. Before any introduction we carry out right-to-work, DBS and reference checks and interview every carer. Our team stays in touch after the carer starts, arranges relief cover for breaks and holidays, and finds a replacement carer if the match isn't working.