Senior services · Help at home
Live-In Care in British Columbia
Live-in care means a dedicated caregiver stays in your loved one's home, providing 24/7 support with daily activities, medication, meals, and companionship. It's an alternative to moving into a care facility.
Live-in care or 24-hour care?
One caregiver lives in the home and sleeps there overnight. That's different from 24-hour care, where awake staff rotate in shifts — and the costs differ a lot.
Live-in care
- One caregiver who sleeps in the home.
- Needs a private room.
- Suits steady, predictable needs.
24-hour care
- Awake staff in rotating shifts.
- For frequent overnight needs: wandering, repositioning, or high falls risk.
- Materially more expensive.
Who this often helps
Overnight wandering or falls are the real worry.
A couple who want to stay in their own home together.
You're weighing a care home against staying put.Questions to ask
- Ask about the employment arrangement: employee or contractor, and who carries WorkSafeBC coverage.
- Ask about backup coverage when the caregiver is sick or off.
See live-in care near you
Enter a city to see options that serve your area, with contact details.
Frequently asked questions
How much does live-in care cost in BC?
Live-in care in BC typically costs $12,000–$20,000 per month, depending on the level of care needed, the caregiver's qualifications, and the agency. Some families hire independently at lower rates, but agency-placed caregivers come with backup coverage and oversight.
What's the difference between live-in care and 24-hour care?
Live-in care means one caregiver stays in the home and has a sleep period overnight. 24-hour care uses rotating shifts (usually two or three caregivers) so someone is always awake and on duty. 24-hour care costs more but is necessary for seniors who need active support at night.
How do I find a live-in caregiver?
CareCompare only lists live-in care providers with Google ratings of 4+ stars. You can also ask home care agencies about their live-in options — many agencies that provide hourly care also offer live-in arrangements.
Next step
Need round-the-clock care?
Review live-in providers carefully, or use the Care Navigator to compare other care paths like home care, assisted living, and long-term care.