Last Updated: June 2, 2025
In the past, when age or illness made it difficult to complete everyday tasks independently, the only options were relying on family members for care or selling your home to move into residential care.
Fortunately, in the UK today, there are multiple care options that allow individuals to remain in the comfort of their own homes. From live-in carers available around the clock to visiting carers who provide support on an hourly basis, home care can be tailored to meet specific needs.
Despite these advancements, many people still perceive cost as a barrier to receiving home care. In this article, The Good Care Group will explore the costs associated with different types of home care and demonstrate how it might be more affordable than you think.
How much does visiting home care cost?
Visiting home care is when a carer visits a client at home at pre-arranged visits to provide support and care in your home. The carer who visits is dedicated to providing one-to-one care whenever they visit and offers one-to-one support during each visit, ensuring individual attention and tailored assistance.
Visits are typically scheduled to accommodate the needs and preferences of the person receiving care. For example, a carer might visit in the morning to assist with washing and dressing or in the evening to help with the nighttime routine. Personal care, such as help with bathing, toileting, and mobility, is a key service provided during these visits.
Visiting care provides significant flexibility in both the type of care received and its cost. The person receiving care and their loved ones can determine the frequency of visits, whether daily or weekly, making it a more tailored and affordable option than residential care. Unlike residential care, where you pay for a standard level of care regardless of your specific needs, visiting care allows you to pay only for the services you actually require.
In the UK, visiting care costs, on average, between £23 and £34 per hour. This means that if you receive two hour-long home care visits a day at £30, you will pay approximately:
- £420 a week
- £1,820 a month
- £21,840 a year
However, the exact amount you pay can vary depending on where in the UK you live and the level of care you need. For example, people requiring complex care usually pay slightly more as they will need a carer with specialist additional training.
How much does live-in home care cost?
Live-in home care involves a carer moving into the home of the person receiving care, so they always have support when they need it at the same address. It is ideal for people with more complex needs, people who don’t have close family living nearby, or people who want additional reassurance and companionship. Live-in care is also suitable for those requiring specialist care, such as support for complex conditions, complex medical conditions, or dementia care, where tailored and continuous assistance is essential.
Live in care cost, live in care costs, and the overall cost of live are determined by the level of support required, the complexity of care needs, and whether specialist care is needed. These costs typically include a fully managed service, which covers holiday cover to ensure seamless care even during staff absences. The live in care package usually consists of personal care, companionship, household tasks, and ongoing support, all delivered at the client’s own home.
Although not as flexible as visiting care, if someone reaches a stage where they require or want more frequent visits, it can be a more cost-effective option. The weekly cost and weekly fees for live-in care are generally transparent and inclusive, making it easier for families to budget and understand what is covered.
For couples, live-in care can be particularly cost-effective. Unlike a residential care setting, such as a care home, nursing home, residential care home, or residential home, where you would need to pay two large fees and may have to move out of your familiar environment, with live-in care, you only usually pay a small additional supplement on top of the standard weekly fee. In some cases, live in care can be cheaper than a care home, especially for couples or those with specific needs.
On average, in the UK, live-in home care costs from £1,200 to £1,800 per week. This means if you require live-in care at a rate of £1,596 per week, you will pay:
- £6,916 a month
- £88,992 a year
When considering the cost of care, it is important to factor in home costs, such as mortgage payments or the value of the home, which can influence the decision between staying at home with live-in care or moving into a care home. There are also options to fund live in care, such as NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding, which may be available for those with significant health needs.
For example, with visiting care, the exact amount someone will pay varies depending on where in the UK they live, as costs in the South of England tend to be higher. In addition, the level of care and support required can impact how much care costs. For example, the cost of complex care can be in excess of £2,000 per week, depending on a person’s specific needs.
How much does overnight care cost?
Although many people receive care during the day, some also require additional support during the night. Overnight care is when a carer stays with a person through the night to assist with any health needs or emergencies that may arise.
There are two forms of overnight care: sleeping care and waking care. The main difference is that a waking carer will stay awake through the night to ensure a person stays safe and well, whereas a sleeping carer will sleep most of the night and only respond if support is needed.
In the UK, the average cost of overnight care is around £187 per night for sleeping care and £244 per night for waking care.
Overnight sleeping care is often included in the cost of a live-in carer. If a waking carer is required, this may require an additional supplement, as another carer is needed to enable the live-in carer to rest and recuperate through the night.
Choosing a fully managed service for overnight care ensures continuity of care, as the provider will arrange holiday cover during staff absences or holidays, giving families peace of mind that care needs are always met.
How do home care costs compare?
In the table below, we’ve provided an estimate of the different types of home care costs to show how they compare. We’ve based the visiting care on a person receiving three hourly visits a day, seven days a week. The weekly cost, weekly fees, and cost of care shown are based on typical service levels, and the cost of live-in care may vary depending on individual needs and care requirements.
| Visiting care | Live-in care | Overnight sleeping care | Overnight Waking care | |
| Per day | £90 | £228 | £187 | £244 |
| Per week | £630 | £1,596 | £1,309 | £1,708 |
| Per month | £2,730 | £6,916 | £5,672 | £7,401 |
| Per Year | £32,760 | £82,992 | £68,068 | £88,816 |
Respite care and respite live-in care are also available for short-term needs and may have different pricing. Higher costs may apply for specialist care, complex conditions, complex medical conditions, nursing care, registered nurse support, and dementia care.
Paying for home care
Like residential care, the UK government will subsidise some of the cost of paying for home care. This means the amount a person must pay towards their home care depends on their income and savings. Eligibility for financial support is determined through a means test, which assesses both income and assets. Home costs, including the value of your property, may be considered in the means test, especially if the home is not occupied by a qualifying relative.
If a person’s income or savings are above the upper threshold, they will receive no financial support, but if they are below the threshold, they will be eligible for maximum support. Local authority funding can supplement personal funds for care, depending on the outcome of the means test. When comparing funding, it’s important to note that different rules may apply for residential care homes, nursing homes, and care homes, as opposed to home-based care.
In 2024, the current thresholds for funding are:
| Country | Upper savings threshold | Lower savings threshold |
| England | £23,250 | £14,250 |
| Northern Ireland | £23,250 | £14,250 |
| Scotland | £32,750 | £20,250 |
| Wales | £24,00 | N/A |
To get government funding towards your home care costs, you or your loved one must undergo a care needs assessment to provide a plan for the type of care needed. The local council, also referred to as the local authority, will then carry out a financial assessment to determine the value of any income or savings. In some cases, if the means test shows low income and assets, the council pays for care. Alternatively, you may be offered a direct payment, which allows you to manage your own care funding. You may also receive a personal budget, giving you more control over your care arrangements and choice of providers. To fund live in care, you may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding or support from Clinical Commissioning Groups, in addition to local authority funding and personal resources.
When choosing a provider, it is important to select a regulated service to ensure quality and compliance with industry standards. A care manager will typically oversee your care plan, listening to your needs and coordinating services. You may choose to work with a care agency, which directly employs and trains carers, or a private provider, depending on your preferences and requirements.
The good news is that when it comes to home care, your home will not be considered an asset if it remains occupied by your partner or spouse, a close relative who is either over the age of sixty or incapacitated, a relative under the age of sixteen whom you are legally obliged to support, or an ex-partner if they are deemed a single parent. However, if your assets exceed the threshold, you may need to pay for your care.
Considering your options
Hopefully, this article has provided an overview of the approximate costs of different types of home care available and will help you when it comes to deciding on the right option for you or your loved one.
However, when comparing costs, it’s important to consider your circumstances and speak to different home care providers about the exact level of care they deliver, as the cheapest option may not always offer the best care or value for your needs.
Ready to start looking for a home care or live-in care provider? Use our search for care tool to find the best match for your needs. You can also find details of local care providers in your Regional Care Services Directory – obtain a free copy or read online here.
