How Much Does Home Care Cost? | UK Figures

On average, home care costs around £25 per hour, according to Age UK. However, the actual cost to the patient or their family can differ depending on their needs.

Factors such as the number of support hours required and any specialist needs you might have can mean costs are higher. Plus, external considerations, such as your location, can also change the price you can expect to pay.

To help make it simple, we’ve broken down how much home care costs, payment methods, and potential funding opportunities in this blog. Keep reading below. 

What Is Home Care?

Home care is a specialised form of care delivered at home by a professional team of carers, usually for those with age-related conditions or complex care needs. 

Carers can help with everything from daily needs, such as bathing, getting dressed, and eating, to medical assistance and medication. With home care, support is personalised to the individual and reviewed regularly to cater to ongoing, changing needs. 

Average Cost of Home Care in the UK

There are four main types of home care in the UK – day care, night care, 24-hour care, and live-in care. Depending on the type you need, you can expect to pay a different price. Below is a breakdown of the average costs of each. 

How Much Does Day Home Care Cost?

Day home care covers one check-in every day (or more, if needed), usually supporting meal times, companionship, hygiene, and housekeeping. 

Costs are generally charged according to the band of the carer checking in, as well as what’s required of them. For example, a carer who simply comes for a cuppa and a chat will likely cost less than one who assists with bathing and dressing. 

• Basic Band: A self-employed carer who provides companionship generally charges around £15 to £20 an hour. 

• Agency Band: For a CQC-registered carer working for an agency, you’ll likely pay £26 to £38 an hour. 

• Specialist Band: Complex conditions (Alzheimer’s, dementia, etc.) require more specialist care, meaning costs can be upwards of £40 an hour. 

How Much Does Night Home Care Cost?

Night home care is generally charged on a nightly basis, with prices varying depending on whether the carer needs to stay awake throughout the night or if they can go to sleep. 

• Sleeping Night Care: When the carer is allowed to sleep, but wakes up a couple of times a night to check in, the price is usually between £100 and £230 a night. 

• Waking Night Care: If the carer is required to stay up for support throughout the night, costs will be higher. On average, it’s between £150 and £320 a night. 

You can also request a night carer for just a couple of hours during the late-night or early hours of the morning. The NHS says rates typically start at £20 an hour, but can reach up to £35 an hour, on average. 

How Much Does 24-Hour Care Cost?

The Homecare Association suggests home care costs at least £34.42 an hour. As this type of care usually uses a rotating team of carers, rates can range from £1,800 to £2,500 depending on your needs. 

Some services, such as palliative or end-of-life care, may incur a premium, especially for those in the advanced stages. 

How Much Does Live-In Care Cost?

In some cases, a live-in carer may be required to provide consistent support at any time of the day or night. They can help with general housekeeping and companionship, as well as looking after those with more complex or specialist needs. 

• Standard Live-In Care: For support with hygiene, cooking, or housekeeping, prices start at £1,200 per week, but can exceed £1,500, on average. 

• Specialist Live-In Care: Advanced conditions will need more support, meaning costs generally range from £1,600 to upwards of £2,000 a week. 

• Couples Live-In Care: If a couple has similar care needs, you’d likely pay a similar price to a specialist live-in carer, around £1,600 to £2,200 a week. 

For couples, a live-in carer is particularly cost-effective, as a care home would charge for two separate beds. 

How Many Hours of Home Care Do People Usually Need?

In general, how many hours of home care people need can be broken down into four categories – occasional, regular, daily, and intensive. 

• Occasional: Generally between 2 to 5 hours a week. Ideal for support with shopping, light cleaning, or companionship. 

• Regular: Up to 10 hours a week. Can help with meal preparation, household chores, and medication. 

• Daily: Typically ranging from 10 to 20 hours a week. If you need assistance with washing, dressing, or getting out of bed, daily care may suit you. 

• Intensive: Complex medical conditions often require anywhere between 20 and 35+ hours of care a week. 

Of course, everyone’s care is unique to them, with the number of hours varying quite drastically depending on the individual’s medical needs. 

Home care hours aren’t rigid either, meaning you can adjust them as and when needed. For example, progressive conditions like Parkinson’s disease might start out needing occasional care, but as symptoms worsen, daily or even intensive care might be more suited. 

How Do I Pay for Home Care?

We know paying for home care can be stressful, but with several options available, it’s easier than you think. 

Council Support

Most local councils offer financial support to cover the costs of home care. These are means-tested and based on the severity of your care needs, too. 

For example, if your capital is below £14,250, your council may fund the costs entirely. You can receive direct debit payments to your bank to arrange your own care or allow them to organise and pay for the care on your behalf.

If your capital is more than £14,250 but less than £23,250, you may be eligible for partially-funded home care from your local council. 

It’s worth keeping in mind that if you’re not moving into a care home, any means tests won’t take into account the value of your home. 

NHS Continuing Healthcare

In cases where medical needs are complex, caused by disability, accident, or major illness, the NHS might pay for your care through its Continuing Healthcare scheme – this is not means-tested. 

If you think you could be eligible, it’s worth asking. However, it’s best to contact your local council first, as not many people receive this type of funding. 

Self-Funded

For those over the financial assistance threshold, you’ll likely need to pay for home care yourself. Self-funded home care is based on your capital and the income you’ll be left with if you pay out of your own pocket. 

While councils may not be able to offer financial assistance in these circumstances, they’ll still offer advice and guidance on arranging the right care for you. 

Mountbatton Care Supports People with 5-Star Home Care

Here at Mountbatton Care, we believe everyone deserves compassionate care at home. With our dedicated home care, that’s exactly what you get. 

We’re here to support you, no matter what your medical needs are. You can come to us for everything from companionship care to more medical support with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or Parkinson’s disease home care. 

Get in touch with us to discuss the right care package for you. Give us a call on 0151 920 5797 or fill out our contact form for a callback.