Live-in care for sight and hearing loss
A carer living in to help your loved one stay safe, connected and independent at home when sight or hearing is failing.
Staying independent when sight or hearing changes
Losing sight or hearing can make home feel less safe and the world feel smaller. Live-in care helps people keep doing the things they love.
Conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma or age-related hearing loss can make reading post, cooking, managing medication and getting out alone much harder. Many people become more isolated as a result.
A live-in carer helps with the practical side, such as reading letters, managing appointments, cooking and keeping the home organised, while supporting your loved one to stay as independent as possible.
Just as importantly, they bring company and help to stay connected with family, friends and the community.
How a live-in carer helps with sight or hearing loss
A safe, organised home
Keeping things in the same place, walkways clear and lighting good, so the home is easy to move around.
Reading and paperwork
Reading post, labels and letters aloud, and helping with phone calls and appointments.
Medication prompts
Making sure the right medicines are taken at the right times.
Cooking and meals
Preparing meals, or helping your loved one cook safely for themselves.
Aids and equipment
Helping keep hearing aids clean and working, and using any magnifiers or talking devices.
Getting out
Guiding on walks, shopping trips and visits to friends.
What sight and hearing loss support at home looks like
- Morning
- Help getting ready, breakfast and medication prompts.
- Daytime
- Post and paperwork, a walk or a trip out, and hobbies.
- Evening
- A home-cooked meal and an audio book, radio or programme together.
- Night
- The carer sleeps in, so help is close by.
The carer needs a private bedroom and takes a two-hour break each day. We arrange cover for breaks and holidays.
What a live-in carer can and can't do
Our live-in carers are experienced, trained and checked, but they are carers, not nurses. They provide practical and personal support, and work alongside the GP, district nurses and other professionals who look after the clinical side.
A live-in carer can help with
- Reading post and helping with paperwork
- Medication prompts
- Cooking and housework
- Guiding on walks and trips out
- Help with hearing aids and equipment
- Personal care if needed
- Accompanying to appointments
- Company and conversation
A live-in carer doesn't
- Clinical or nursing tasks
- Managing finances or signing documents on someone’s behalf
- Changing medication doses
- Working through the night as well as the day
Specialist support is available
Local councils have sensory services that can assess for equipment and training, and the GP can refer for eye or hearing checks. A live-in carer can help your loved one get the most from that support.
Sight and hearing loss often go alongside other conditions, such as dementia or frailty. Our carers are matched to the whole picture.
How much does live-in sight and hearing loss support cost?
The exact cost depends on the support needed, including how often the carer is woken at night. We will give you a clear figure on the first call, with no obligation.
Help may be available from your local council, NHS Continuing Healthcare and Attendance Allowance. See the full cost breakdown → Ways to fund live-in care →
Live-in sight and hearing loss support across the South East
We arrange live-in sight and hearing loss support across Surrey, Kent, West Sussex and East Sussex. See the map of areas we cover →
Sight and hearing loss care at home: your questions
Can a live-in carer help someone who is registered blind?
Yes. A live-in carer helps with daily tasks such as reading post, shopping, cooking, cleaning and managing medication, and guides your loved one safely when out and about, while supporting their independence rather than doing everything for them. They keep the home organised so things are always where your loved one expects them, and can help with technology such as talking clocks and smart speakers.
Can the carer help with hearing aids?
Yes. Carers help keep hearing aids clean, charged or fitted with fresh batteries, and put in properly each day. They make sure your loved one has the tubes and batteries they need and help arrange audiology appointments for repairs. Carers also speak clearly, face your loved one and reduce background noise, so conversations are easier and your loved one doesn't feel left out.
How much does live-in care for hearing and sight loss cost?
Live-in care for hearing and sight loss 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.
Can the carer help my loved one stay safe at home?
Yes. The carer helps reduce risks around the home, such as keeping walkways clear, improving lighting, labelling or marking controls, and checking that doorbells, smoke alarms and phones are suitable for sight or hearing loss. Your local council's sensory services team can assess for equipment such as flashing doorbells or vibrating alarms, and the carer can help you arrange it.
Can the carer help with getting out and staying in touch?
Yes. Sight and hearing loss can be very isolating. A live-in carer helps your loved one get out to the shops, clubs, church or appointments, and use phones, video calls or captioned TV to stay in touch with family and friends. RNIB and RNID offer advice and community services, and the carer can help your loved one connect with them.
Do carers need special training for sensory impairment?
We match carers who have experience supporting people with sight or hearing loss, and who have the patience and communication skills it needs, such as guiding someone safely or speaking clearly. Tell us how your loved one communicates best, including if they use sign language, and we'll prioritise carers who are a good fit.
Are you regulated by the CQC?
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.
Talk to us about sight and hearing loss support at home
Free, no-obligation advice. Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.
Not sure yet? Take our 2-minute check →
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.