When it comes to caring for our ageing loved ones, many assume that a care home is the only option – but that’s not the case. Live-in care offers a compassionate alternative, allowing people to stay in the comfort of their own homes while receiving the support they need.
One Kent-based business has been pioneering this approach for over 60 years. Consultus Care and Nursing has grown from humble beginnings into the UK’s largest independent, family-run live-in care provider. In this article, we’ll explore their remarkable story and the benefits of live-in care – because when the time comes, knowing your options can make all the difference.
Consultus Care and Nursing: A family legacy of care, grown from local roots
“People feel better at home.” This simple yet powerful belief has been the foundation of Consultus Care for over 60 years. It’s a sentiment that has guided their growth, making them a multi-award-winning company and the largest independent, family-owned, and family-run live-in care provider in the UK.
Being family-owned isn’t just a business model – it’s their identity. As a family service caring for families, they understand the trust required to look after a loved one. Their reputation has been built on the very values that matter most: compassion, integrity and a deep commitment to personalised care.
Today, Consultus Care operates from its headquarters in Tonbridge, just a stone’s throw from where the business was founded. With a dedicated team of 70 staff at HQ and over 600 carers and nurses across the UK, they continue to provide exceptional live-in care, ensuring people can remain in the comfort of their own homes.
Consultus Care offers three core services:
Introductory Care – Introductory care provides trained and vetted self-employed live-in carers that can support both care needs and general support such as cooking and light housekeeping.
Managed Care – Fully managed service regulated by the CQC provides trained and vetted Live-in carers who are supervised, managed and monitored by a local Consultus care consultant. Live-in carers support both care needs and general support such as cooking and light housekeeping.
Managed Nursing – Live-in nursing care provided by registered nurses for those with complex medical needs.
Anne Steven’s story: Humble beginnings and a strong female visionary
In 1962, 37-year-old Anne Stevens faced a crisis that would change her life forever. When her husband declared bankruptcy, she suddenly found herself with two young children to support and no clear path forward. But rather than despair, Anne rolled up her sleeves and got to work. From her small garden shed in Tonbridge, armed with nothing but a telephone and the help of a school friend, she launched a home help and gardening service – unaware that she was laying the foundation for something far greater.
Through her work, Anne noticed how many older people were being moved into care homes simply because no alternative existed. She saw a better, kinder way – sourcing and placing suitable live-in carers to support elderly individuals in their own homes. A true pioneer in the UK care sector, Anne reshaped the future of senior care.
Anne retired in 1992, but she was determined that Consultus Care would continue to reach and help as many families as possible. She turned to her nephew, tech entrepreneur Peter Seldon, and told him, “You’re the only person in the family who knows anything about business!”
For Peter, Consultus’ mission is deeply personal – not just as his aunt’s legacy, but because, in 2006, he faced his own mother’s need for care. Following his father’s passing, she lost the will to live, but live-in care was transformative. Seeing its impact first-hand continues to drive him today.
If you, like us, are fascinated by the lives of those who shaped the past, watch the video below to learn more about Anne’s story.
When crisis strikes: the care option most families overlook
Consultus Care makes a strong case for live-in care as a compassionate, flexible solution for ageing loved ones. Yet, it’s often overlooked.
Many find themselves in the ‘sandwich generation’ – juggling a full-time job, raising children and supporting ageing parents. Sound familiar? The reality is, most of us don’t think about care options until a crisis hits – perhaps a fall or a sudden decline in health. Suddenly, you’re faced with tough decisions and a care home seems like the only viable choice.
But knowing your options in advance can make all the difference. More families are turning to live-in care for its many benefits – and for good reason. While it may not be the right fit for everyone, it’s an option worth exploring before the need becomes urgent.
Exploring the benefits of live-in care
For many, live-in care isn’t even on the radar when considering care options for an ageing loved one. People have the best intentions, but the assumption is often that moving into a care home is the only choice. In reality, live-in care offers a compassionate alternative that allows older adults to remain in the comfort of their own homes – where they feel happiest.
Why do so many families choose live-in care?
Staying in familiar surroundings – Home is where a lifetime of memories are made. Remaining in a familiar environment can provide emotional security and comfort.
Keeping beloved pets – Many care homes don’t allow pets, but live-in care enables people to keep their cherished companions, which has been proven to reduce loneliness in older adults.
Quality time with family – Visiting a loved one in a care home can sometimes feel clinical, like visiting a patient. At home, visits feel natural, relaxed and more meaningful.
Personalised care and independence – With live-in care, daily routines remain unchanged and individuals can maintain independence while receiving tailored support.
Better health outcomes – Research shows that individuals receiving live-in care experience fewer falls and hospital admissions compared to those in residential care.
But isn’t a care home more affordable?
Not necessarily. A common misconception is that care homes are always the cheaper option. In reality, live-in care is often comparable in cost – and in many cases, even more affordable – for 24-hour support.
What about privacy and compatibility?
Some worry that having a carer at home might feel intrusive, but this is where expert matchmaking comes in. The process of selecting a live-in carer is meticulous, ensuring the right fit for personality, lifestyle and care needs. Regular feedback and assessments ensure ongoing compatibility, creating a comfortable and supportive living arrangement.
While care homes can be the right choice for some, it’s important to know that live-in care is a highly viable alternative – one that offers comfort, companionship and the ability to maintain a cherished way of life.
Helpful resources
Keep these handy, for if that ‘emergency’ day happens, you can feel confident that you’ll know where to turn.
The Live In Care Hub is a free online resource dedicated to the live-in care sector, providing valuable insights, research and practical guidance. They commission reports and studies to help shape the industry and offer:
Frequently asked questions about how it all works and what to expect
Practical information about care funding and equity release
Assistance with finding a live-in carer
Informative blogs on senior care and related topics
Society of Later Life Advisors is a not-for-profit organisation committed to helping people find accredited, trustworthy financial advisers who specialise in later-life planning.
Article written by Ruby Plenderleith for My Sevenoaks Community. March 2025.
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