Quality UK home care for your loved one

The cost of home care depends on the type of support you need, how often care is provided, and your location. Visiting care is typically charged hourly, while live-in care is charged at a daily or weekly rate.

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.

Yes. Home care can be arranged short-term, such as after hospital discharge, or long-term for ongoing support. This is where hourly care can be a great care solution.

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.

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.