Quality home care for your loved one
Home care with Elder means your loved one feels right at home, in their own home. Elder matches you with trusted and quality live-in carers from across the UK. Learn about the benefits of home care and the Elder difference.
6,000+ Carers
Select from over 6,000 qualified carers
Fast matching
Care can begin in as little as 24 hours
Across Great Britain
We have organised care in every GB postcode
Cost efficient
Costs on average 35% less than traditional services
What is home care?
Home care, also known as domiciliary care, is when a professional carer provides support to someone in their own home. It’s a way for older people to stay in a place they know and love, while still getting the help they need day to day.
Care at home can be tailored to the individual. A carer might visit for just a few hours a week to help with things like medication, meal preparation, or personal care. For those who need more consistent support, a live-in carer can move in to offer round-the-clock help, including with household tasks, mobility, and companionship.
The aim of home care is to help people maintain their independence and quality of life. It offers a reassuring alternative to residential care, allowing families to stay connected and individuals to continue living life on their own terms.
Nearly one million people across the UK receive some form of home care – and with its flexibility and focus on the individual, it’s easy to see why.
When do I need to consider care at home?
If your loved one is finding it harder to live safely or comfortably on their own, it may be time to consider professional care at home. There’s no specific age, condition or stage that signals the ‘right’ time – often, it’s simply when daily life becomes more difficult or they’re no longer able to live as independently as they once did.
Home care is designed to help older people stay in the place they know and love, while receiving the practical and emotional support they need to continue living life on their terms.
Here are some signs that in-home care could help your loved one:
Struggling with everyday tasks
If your loved one is finding it harder to manage things like washing, dressing, cooking or cleaning on their own.
Becoming less mobile
They may need help moving safely around the home, getting in and out of bed, or using mobility aids confidently.
Withdrawing or feeling isolated
You’ve noticed they’re seeing fewer people, losing interest in hobbies, or feeling lonely at home.
Recovering after a hospital discharge
They may need short-term support while they regain strength and confidence.
Living with a long-term or complex condition
Conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s, or heart failure can be better managed with tailored care at home.
Reluctant to move into a care home
Home care allows them to stay in a familiar setting while still receiving the right level of support.
Which types of home care services does Elder offer?
Live-in care
Long-term 24-hour support
- A carer lives in the home to provide round-the-clock support
- Suitable for people living with conditions like dementia, reduced mobility, etc.
- For long-term care needs
Respite care
Temporary 24-hour support
- A carer moves in for a few days to provide round-the-clock support
- Suitable to cover for a main caregiver or for a temporary increase in care needs
- Minimum duration of 3 days
Visiting care
Flexible home visits
- Book as many hours as you need for help in the comfort of your home
- Support with everyday tasks like grooming, walks, cooking, etc.
- From as little as 1 hour per week
Which tasks can a home carer help with?
Personal care
e.g. help with washing, toileting, and prompting medication
Dressing and grooming
e.g. shaving and hairstyling
Meal preparation
e.g. cooking meals to dietary requirements and tastes
Light housekeeping
e.g. vacuuming, keeping surfaces clean and doing laundry
Running errands
e.g. going to the shops or picking up prescriptions
Companionship
e.g. providing company and encouraging hobbies and interests
Pet care
e.g. feeding and exercising pets
Mobility support
e.g. encouraging gentle and suitable exercise
Light gardening
e.g. watering flowers and keeping pathways clear
Admin support
e.g. keeping on top of post, paperwork, and appointments
Medication prompting
e.g. ensuring medication is taken correctly
Ventilation and oxygen support
e.g. BiPAP or CPAP Support
Specialist drug administration
Including Controlled Drug Administration, Covert Medication Administration, Glucose readings via finger pricks, Injections, Pessaries, Enemas, Suppositories
Stoma care
PEG care
Wound care
What's the difference between home care and care home?
Choosing between home care and a residential care home depends on your loved one’s unique needs, preferences, and overall health. Understanding the key differences can help you feel more confident about what’s right for them.
Why home care is often the preferred choice
Home care lets your loved one stay in the comfort of their own home with personalised, one-to-one support. They can keep their routines, enjoy familiar surroundings, and receive care tailored to their needs — without the disruption of moving away.
When a care home might be a better fit
A care home can be ideal for those needing constant supervision or specialist medical support. It offers 24/7 care and social activities, though often with less flexibility and independence than staying at home.
Supporting independence with care at home
Home care helps your loved one stay independent and in control of their daily life. With Elder, every care plan is built around their preferences, so they can live safely and comfortably in the place they love.
How much does home care cost in the UK?
Home care costs depend on where your loved one lives, the level of support they need, and the type of care provider you choose.
On average, home care in the UK costs between £16 and £26+ per hour, although rates can be higher depending on your location. Some care agencies require a minimum booking of one hour, even if you don’t need the full time.
If your loved one needs round-the-clock support, live-in care typically starts at £1,000+ per week, with many families paying around £1,500 for a managed agency service. Elder’s home care services are on average 35% cheaper than traditional managed providers. And, in many regions of the UK, home care fees can be comparable to care home fees. Elder does not charge extra for weekends or public holidays, and there are no joining fees.
How do I arrange home care with Elder?
Share your care request
Tell us your care requirements using our request form, including the type of care you’re looking for, any specialist skills you need, and what daily life looks like.
Select your carer
You’ll start receiving profiles of suitable self-employed carers within 24 hours. Chat to them online or arrange a phone or video call, before choosing who you like best.
Manage care
Once your agreement with your carer begins, use your MyElder account to chat with them and the Elder team, manage your schedule and care information, and find respite cover if you need it.
FAQs
Still have questions?
0333 920 3648A home carer provides practical and emotional support to help your loved one live well in the comfort of their own home. Whether it’s a daily check-in or round-the-clock live-in care, they’re there to make everyday life easier and safer.
With Elder, you can even choose a carer who matches their personality, making the experience more comfortable and personal.
When choosing home care, you can hire a private carer, use a managed care agency, or go through an introductory service:
- Private carers offer more choice and flexibility without agency fees, but you’ll be responsible for background checks, contracts, and payments.
- Managed care agencies handle all this for you, providing trained staff and care plans, but at a higher cost and with less flexibility.
- Introductory services like Elder act as a middle ground by pre-screening self-employed carers and managing payments, while you keep control over care arrangements and daily routines.
To help your loved one stay safe and comfortable at home, consider making some simple changes to their living space. This might include rearranging or removing furniture to reduce trip hazards, installing safety features like handrails, ramps, or stairlifts, and adding practical security measures such as automatic cooker shut-offs.
For a detailed look at these options and more, check out our comprehensive guide to home adaptations.
While home care includes essential support with personal care and daily tasks, it typically doesn’t cover medical procedures. The carers on Elder’s platform can help with things like bathing, companionship, and medication reminders, but they’re not trained to carry out clinical tasks. For more information, read this guide.
Yes. At Elder, we encourage all self-employed carers on our platform to have the appropriate insurance. For more details, see our guide to home care and carer insurance.
We know how important it is to feel confident in the carer supporting your loved one. That’s why every self-employed carer on the Elder platform must pass a suitability screening before joining. This includes:
- Professional care experience – Carers must have previous experience in a professional setting, such as a private home, care home, or healthcare facility. We don’t accept personal or family-only care experience.
- Strong communication skills – A good level of written and spoken English is essential.
- Proof of identity – Carers must provide valid photo ID and have the Right to Work in the UK.
- Background checks – All carers must be eligible to pass an enhanced DBS check (England and Wales).
- References – Carers are required to supply at least two verifiable professional references.
- Screening assessments – Each carer completes a series of situational judgment and character assessments to help us understand their approach to care.
Start by creating a free MyElder account – there’s no obligation to proceed. You’ll answer a few questions designed by our clinical team to assess your loved one’s daily living needs and any changes in their health or well-being.
This helps determine if our self-employed carers can provide the right support. If your needs go beyond what our carers offer, we’ll let you know and guide you on the best next steps.
In most cases, in-home care is not free, but there are ways to receive financial assistance. If your loved one needs care, your first step should be to contact their local council for a care needs assessment. If care is recommended, the council will carry out a financial means test to decide whether they’re eligible for help with costs.
Their level of support will depend on their income and assets:
- England: They may qualify for local authority funding if they have savings below £23,250.
- Wales: The savings threshold is £50,000.
- Scotland: They will need savings under £35,000 to be eligible, though some personal care is funded regardless of income.
Even if your loved one is entitled to support, you may still need to contribute to their care costs, especially if your chosen provider charges more than the council’s standard rate. In this case, you or your family would need to cover the difference.
There are a few ways to make care at home more affordable:
- Local council support: Start by requesting a care needs assessment from your loved one’s local council. If your loved one qualifies, they may offer full or partial funding depending on their financial situation. You can also request direct payments to choose your own care provider.
- NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC): If your loved one has ongoing, complex health needs, they may qualify for free NHS-funded care at home. To apply, speak with their GP, district nurse, or hospital discharge team.
- State benefits: Your loved one may also be entitled to benefits such as Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, Cold Weather Payments, or a reduction in council tax, which can help offset the cost of care.
To explore your options in more detail, visit our Funding your care page for up-to-date information and helpful resources.