How to Choose the Right 24/7 Home Care Agency in Central London
Published: 20/08/2025
Does an elderly family member or a vulnerable loved one need round-the-clock support? The 24/7 home care agency you choose will determine the quality of daily support and peace of mind your family can expect. With the right provider, 24/7 home care can be a dependable and more cost-effective alternative to moving into a residential facility.
What’s involved in 24/7 home care?
In 24/7 home care, a live-in Support Worker provides continuous assistance in the comfort of your own home. This one-to-one assistance can cover a wide range of needs, from personal care services to household tasks. The goal is to allow you or your loved one to continue living safely and comfortably at home, without relying on institutional care.
A good 24/7 home care agency can design round-the-clock care plans based on your loved one’s needs and daily routines, ensuring that help is available at any time, day or night. This is especially important for older adults and people with chronic health conditions or disabilities, as well as those recovering from surgery or injury. For example, someone living with dementia may need gentle reminders to take medication and reassurance during the night. On the other hand, a person recovering from hip surgery may require scheduled physiotherapy exercises and hands-on mobility assistance.
At Right at Home Central London, we understand that deciding to leave your home for residential care is never easy. With our Live-in Care service, you get a highly personalised and flexible alternative that’s delivered in the familiar and comfortable surroundings of your own home. It’s also a cost-effective solution, with a Support Worker living in your home for an agreed period to provide competent care.
How live-in care works
Live-in care means having dedicated support right at home. A Support Worker from our 24/7 home care agency moves into your residence and is available around the clock. They follow a personalised care plan that’s created with you, your family, and any healthcare professionals involved. This plan covers the essentials — such as medication reminders, mobility assistance, meal preparation, and personal care — as well as your own routines and preferences.
Right at Home Central London’s Caregivers also help with household tasks like cleaning, shopping, and cooking. Just as importantly, they provide companionship: someone to share meals with, go for a walk with, or simply talk to during the day. This one-to-one assistance ensures that your loved one receives continuous support without the disruption of multiple carers coming and going.
Considerations when choosing a 24/7 home care agency
As one of Central London’s leading live-in care providers, we know how important it is to choose a 24/7 agency you can rely on. Here’s what to consider:
1. Your home care needs
Start by identifying the type of care required — whether it’s non-medical home care or home health care.
Once you have a clear picture of the services that would benefit you or your loved one, you can reach out to reputable home care providers.
Arrange in-person interviews so you can ask questions and learn more about their staff and approach to care. This process will help you narrow down your options and choose a provider who can meet your specific needs.
2. Costs and fees
Most families want to understand costs right away, and rightly so, because budgeting for long-term care is a major financial commitment. But there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.
Because 24/7 home care is personalised, the agency will need to review your loved one’s needs, the home environment, and the level of support required before giving you an accurate figure.
In many cases, this also involves discussing the care plan in detail and sometimes introducing you to a Caregiver.
A trustworthy 24/7 home care agency should be able to share a general range of rates upfront and then provide a clear estimate once they understand your situation.
To avoid unexpected costs, aim to cover the details during your first call or at a face-to-face consultation. When speaking with agencies, make sure to:
- Ask about hourly or daily rates and how they change with different levels of care.
- Confirm how often invoices are issued.
- Check which payment methods are available.
This way, you’ll have a full picture before making a decision, with no hidden surprises down the line.
3. Types of care they provide
Check whether the 24/7 home care agency has direct experience with the type of support you need, especially for conditions like dementia or Parkinson’s. Ask if they employ clinical specialists such as admiral nurses or occupational therapists.
Here at Right at Home Central London, our services are led by two Registered Nurses with more than 30 years of NHS and private experience.
Our CareGivers provide the medical and daily support needed to keep Clients safe at home and recover in a familiar environment.
Here are some of the services that you can expect from comprehensive 24/7 home care:
- Personal care assistance, including help with bathing and grooming
- Companionship — engaging in conversations and enjoying activities together, or accompanying clients on outings.
- Medical support, such as medication management and wound care.
- Household assistance that includes meal preparation and light housekeeping.
4. Their local expertise
CareGivers who know your area can easily access available services and nearby transport links. They know which pharmacies stay open late and where to find step-free access. This familiarity can make everyday tasks (like running errands or attending appointments) much easier.
More importantly, a CareGiver who knows the fastest way to the nearest hospital or who has direct contact with local GPs and district nurses can act quickly, potentially preventing complications and ensuring your loved one receives timely medical attention in an emergency.
5. Their care model
A reliable 24/7 home care agency should offer a consistent care model. Your loved one should see familiar faces every day, not a revolving door of different carers. Ask how the agency recruits and trains its CareGivers. Do they carry out rigorous background checks?
At Right at Home Central London, every CareGiver goes through a thorough vetting process and specialist training. They are supervised continuously so that the quality of care remains high.
We believe that care is more than practical help, which is why our CareGivers also provide companionship, emotional support, and a sense of stability. Over time, these daily interactions build trust and form genuine relationships that make care at home feel natural and reassuring.
6. How they match carers with clients
Be clear about your needs and preferences when meeting with a 24/7 home care agency. While these conversations can sometimes feel difficult, they are essential to ensuring a positive and comfortable care experience.
For instance, if your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, the agency should focus on CareGivers with specific training and experience in dementia care.
Some clients may also prefer a CareGiver of a particular gender or cultural background, or require someone who speaks a specific language.
It’s also helpful to remember that the first few visits are often a ‘settling in’ period while the Client and CareGiver get to know each other.
If there is a clear personality mismatch or ongoing discomfort after a couple of shifts, the 24/7 home care agency should be willing to arrange a replacement who is a better fit.
At Right at Home Central London, we match each Support Worker to the Client’s needs and personality, as well as preferences. Whenever possible, we arrange an introduction before care begins to help build familiarity and trust.
7. How their carers present themselves
Find out whether the 24/7 home care agency has a professional dress code (even if uniforms aren’t required).
CareGivers should look neat and professional, especially when accompanying your loved one in public or to community activities.
8. Their industry reputation
Check the agency’s rating with the Care Quality Commission, the independent body that assesses all registered home care providers in England. Their inspectors visit providers in person, speak with Clients and staff, observe how care is delivered, and review care records and policies.
While most providers meet the “good” standard, a significant number do not — so this rating can be a useful indicator of a 24/7 home care agency’s overall quality of care. It can also reveal whether the agency has a history of safety concerns or poor management.
9. Feedback from clients
Client feedback is one of the best ways to judge a 24/7 home care agency. What do families say about the reliability of carers? These experiences tell you what day-to-day care really looks like.
At Right at Home Central London, we consistently receive positive reviews because our CareGivers follow clear standards while adapting to condition-specific needs.
We also respect personal preferences and listen carefully to families so that care feels truly personalised.
Find out if we’re the right fit
Call us on 020 3084 7333 or request a callback to discuss your requirements.
We’ll take the time to understand your household’s needs and provide guidance on whether our 24/7 home care agency is the right match.
