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24/7 Care vs. Live-in Care: What’s the Difference?

Live-In Care vs. 24/7 Care: What Caregivers Should Know

For many international caregivers, understanding the difference between live-in care and 24/7 care is essential before accepting a placement. Although the terms are often confused, they represent two completely different working models — with different expectations, workloads, and rights.

What Live-In Care Really Means for Workers

Live-in care means you live in the client’s home, but you are not working 24 hours a day.
You provide around 7 hours of active care per day, depending on the client’s needs. The rest of the time includes:

  • Personal breaks

  • Meal times

  • Your own rest period

  • A full night’s sleep

  • Use of your own private room

As a live-in carer, you are present in the home, but you are not expected to work non-stop. You support the client during the day, help structure their routine, and provide safety and companionship — while still having space for yourself.

Live-in care is designed to be ethical and sustainable, especially for workers coming from abroad who want stable income, predictable routines, and long-term placements.

What 24/7 Care Means for Workers

24/7 care is a completely different model.
It requires continuous active work, delivered by several caregivers working in shifts — for example:

  • Morning shift

  • Evening shift

  • Night shift

No single caregiver is responsible for the entire day. Instead, care is divided, and every hour of active work is scheduled.

For workers, 24/7 care means:

  • You do not live in the client’s home

  • You work specific shifts

  • You clock in and out

  • You are replaced by another caregiver when your shift ends

This model is usually used for clients with very high dependency levels who require constant monitoring.

The Key Differences for Caregivers

Aspect

Live-In Care

24/7 Care

Workload

~7 hours active care/day

Full active shifts

Rest time

Guaranteed breaks + sleep

Breaks based on shift rules

Accommodation

Provided (private room)

Not included

Relationship with client

Deep and long-term

Shared among multiple carers

Work style

Steady, routine-oriented

Structured, shift-based

Stress level

Typically lower

Can be intense for high-need clients

Why Many Caregivers Prefer the Live-In Model

Live-in placements offer several advantages for workers:

  • Stable income and long-term contracts

  • Lower daily physical workload compared to 24/7 shift systems

  • Accommodation provided, reducing living costs

  • A structured day that doesn’t require night work

  • More meaningful relationships with clients

  • A pathway to language learning and career development (e.g., nurses working as live-in carers while studying a local language)

For caregivers who want to work abroad — especially in Europe — live-in care is often the most accessible and sustainable entry point.

Understanding Your Rights as a Live-In Carer

As a worker, it’s important to know that:

  • Live-in care does not mean 24-hour work

  • You must have proper rest time and sleeping hours

  • You must have a private room

  • Your daily workload must be realistic and safe

  • You can request support if expectations become unreasonable

The goal is for you to provide excellent care without sacrificing your well-being.

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