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Crystal-clear answers to how much does a live in carer cost
When looking at home care options, price is often a major consideration. Here we outline the cost of our live-in care package, how this relates to the price of a residential care home or visiting carer, and how live-in care is providing an extra lease of life to many of our customers.
Live In Care Costs UK
The cost of live-in care, or 24-hour care is dependent on the level of support you or your loved one requires.
Live in care costs start from:
- £1,075 per week for a single person
- £1,375 per week for a couple
This means that live-in care can be cost effective for couples, allowing them to stay in the home and the community that they know and love.
We cover the full range of home care services available, so our costs are based on your precise needs and requirements – whether it’s providing companionship, personal care, help administering medication or support with more complex healthcare requirements.
Please call us today to get a quote for your specific care needs. One of our advisers will give you an estimate over the phone there and then. The final price for your live-in care will be confirmed once your local care specialist has visited you in person to fully assess your needs.
We can also advise on the funding options that may be open to you, either from your local authority or through continuing healthcare funding with the NHS.
Click here for more information on What is Live-In Care
Call me back now Funding optionsRespite care costs
If your usual carer needs a break or has let you down, we can provide a carer on a temporary basis, sometimes called respite care.
Respite care is live-in care that is needed for a short period of time – prices start from £250 per day. This temporary support can be arranged for as little as three days, all the way up to four weeks of support.
If you need support for more than four weeks, our weekly prices for live-in care apply, which are outlined above.
Please do get in touch if you’d like to find more about respite care, and for a full quote.
Jacky's story: A new lease of life with live-in care
Jacky was a fit and active police officer when she was diagnosed with motor neurone disease at 42 years old. She contacted Helping Hands to arrange for ongoing support, and after meeting her at home and fully assessing her needs, we matched her with Nora, one of our live-in carers.
“Live-in care really has given me my life back and a purpose,” Jacky explained.
“I was very depressed before Nora came. I had no interest in anything and was just existing day to day… it was easier, warmer and safer just to stay in bed. Now I have events to look forward to such as holidays and days out.”
Read Jacky's storyComparing live-in care with residential care home
It’s difficult to compare a residential care home with the huge value of one-to-one support in your own home. While there are more people on hand in a care home, our customers who’ve tried both say that it doesn’t compare with the personal assistance and continuous support of a live-in carer.
Choosing care in your own home means you can eat at your desired times, enjoy your usual activities, wake up when you want to and have family and friends close by to pop-in when they want. The other major benefit is avoiding the stress and upheaval of a big move, especially a move away from your family home or from a partner that you have lived with for many years.
Additionally, live-in care allows you to maintain your existing routines – whether you need support attending social events with friends, assistance with getting to and from the shops so that you can choose your groceries or even preserving your favourite hobbies such as visiting historical buildings or going to the local bingo hall. Your carer will be with you every step of the way and adapt around your needs, something which just wouldn’t be possible in a care home.
Read more about the alternatives to care homes here.
Caring for couples at home
If you’re a couple investigating the costs of a residential care home, you may be surprised to hear that the cost of a live-in carer is roughly the same amount. In a care home you’re paying for two beds, while with live-in care you pay for one carer.
For a couple, residential care home prices can start at £1,242 per week, based on the weekly cost of £621 per person. For a live-in carer for a couple, our prices start from £1,375 per week. Although this is marginally higher than residential care, there are many benefits of having live-in care for a couple rather than moving into a care home, such as knowing that you are both fully cared for in a way that’s tailored to you whilst continuing to live together in the place you know and love. For many, this peace of mind is certainly worth a few extra pounds per week.
Support for couplesComparing live-in care with the cost of domiciliary care
Depending on your specific needs, domiciliary care can be more expensive than live-in care due to the number of visits received throughout the day necessary to ensure that you are fully-cared for.
Based on an 80-year-old gentleman who was receiving domiciliary care in the Cambridgeshire area, we’ve put together an example of the overall costs of domiciliary care compared to live-in care.
The costs of traditional domiciliary care
| Personal care three times a day | £378 per day (average)
Provided by local companies seven days a week |
| Carer for attending local groups | £353 per day (average)
Includes transport for attending day centres and fulfilling hobbies and interests |
| Food preparation | £80 per week (average) Access to one meal a day through meals on wheels |
| Transport to appointments | up to £150 per journey (cost to the local government) |
| Physiotherapy at home | £230 per day for a house call (cost to local authority) |
| Cleaning and household chores | £10 per hour, averaging £30 per week |
| Cost of domiciliary care | up to £1,221 per week |
| Cost of live-in care | from £1,075 per week |
It’s common for care needs to grow, and the costs can easily get out of hand. If you find that you’re suddenly arranging for more than one or two home care visits each day, it may be time to consider live-in care and the many extra benefits it provides.
Speak to our friendly team to find out more. They will talk you through how we go about matching you with a single carer who’s there to support at all hours of the day or night.
Organising care for a vulnerable relative is daunting. Helping Hands were professional, friendly, and caring. They gave me peace of mind knowing that my aunt was being looked after responsibly and respectfully.
Karen, a live-in care customer
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We’re here seven days a week to talk through your home care needs and find the best option for you. Call 03300376958 or request a callback and we will call you.
