What is the cost of home care for the elderly?

Deciding on care for an elderly loved one often leads to questions not just about what care is needed, but how much it costs. This is one of the biggest concerns families face when planning for long-term support for their loved ones. In this blog, we look at typical costs for home-based care (including live-in care), how these compare with residential care home fees, and the key factors that influence what you might pay in the UK. 

Typical Home Care Costs 

Home care for older people can be arranged in several ways, depending on the level of support needed. 

Hourly home care 
For many older people who remain at home but need help with everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing or medication reminders, hourly care can be a flexible solution. In the UK, home care agencies typically charge in the region of £20-£30 per hour for visiting care, with rates varying by location and level of support required.  

This means a weekly care package of: 

• 10 to 20 hours per week might cost around £200-£600 a week  

• More intensive day support (for example 8+ hours per day) could cost £1,200-£2,500+ per week, depending on the provider and complexity of needs. (Source)

Live-in care 

Live-in care is a form of home care where a trained carer stays in the person’s home to provide ongoing support 24 hours a day. This is particularly common for older people with dementia, mobility challenges, or complex personal care needs who would otherwise require around-the-clock assistance. 

Industry averages for live-in care in the UK sit broadly around £900-£1,700 per week, depending on factors such as level of care, location, and whether specialist skills are needed.  

Some estimates put typical live-in care costs around £1,200-£1,500 per week, with higher rates for specialist or complex care needs.  

One of the key advantages of live-in care for couples is cost efficiency, as only a small additional fee is usually charged for the second person, compared with paying for two separate rooms and packages in a residential home.  

For more information on funding live-in care specifically, head to our “funding live-in care” page. 

Residential care home costs

In contrast with care at home, residential care homes provide accommodation, meals and 24-hour care within the care home environment. 

According to recent industry data, the average weekly cost for a residential care home in the UK is around £1,300 per week, while nursing home care (which includes qualified nursing support) averages about £1,500 per week.  

These figures reflect self-funded arrangements rather than rates negotiated by local authorities. The weekly cost includes accommodation and the full support package provided by the care home, but actual prices can vary significantly by region, support needed and room standard.  

Comparing home care and residential care

It is a common misconception that residential care is always cheaper than support in your own home. The figures above show that home-based care and residential care can be comparable in cost once live-in support is considered, but they deliver very different experiences. 

While residential care includes accommodation costs, live-in care delivers one-to-one support in familiar surroundings, which can be especially important for older people living with dementia or complex personal care needs. Many families find that, for some individuals, this personalised support improves wellbeing, independence and quality of life, albeit at a cost that is closer to residential care than hourly visiting care. 

What affects the cost of care? 

Whether you choose home care or residential care, a number of factors influence the cost: 

• Level of care needed: Personal care, dementia support or complex health needs typically cost more than basic assistance.  

• Location: Costs tend to be higher in London and the South East than in the Midlands or North.  

• Hours of support: More hours naturally increase overall cost, making packages above 40 hours per week more expensive for home care services.  

• Provider type: Specialist care agencies and fully managed live-in care providers often charge more but include training, insurance and direct oversight of the care provided.  

What this means for families 

Understanding the cost of home care for the elderly is an essential part of planning for later life support. It is not just about which option costs less but which option meets the person’s care needs and supports their wellbeing. 

Many families are surprised to learn that for full-time care, live-in care can be competitive with residential care while allowing your loved one to remain at home. Others choose hourly visiting care to supplement family support or to delay the need for full-time care for as long as possible. 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best approach starts with a care needs assessment and a clear understanding of both the level of support required and the likely costs involved. 

If you would like to explore the options and understand what care might cost for your loved one’s specific needs, contact us for a free, no obligation chat about care choices  even if live-in care is not your first preference. 

Live-in care 

Careadvisorteam@consultuscare.com 

01732 355231  

Live-in nursing  

nursing@consultuscare.com 

01732 770 403