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
Quality UK home care for your loved one
Home care offers flexible, professional support that helps your loved one live safely and independently at home. From occasional visits to full-time live-in support, we'll match them with a carer who fits their needs and personality.
See how Sharon eliminated stress over distance and found trusted support.
Find a carer0333 920 3648
What is home care?
Home care is professional support provided in your loved one’s home. It can include help with personal care, household tasks, medication reminders, mobility support, and companionship. It's also known as care at home, in-home care or domiciliary care, and can be arranged for as little as an hour a week or as a full-time, live-in arrangement.
Who is home care suitable for?
Home care is suitable for:
- Older adults
- People with long-term conditions
- Those recovering from illness or surgery
- Anyone who needs extra support to live independently at home
How quickly can home care start?
In many cases, home care can begin within 24 - 48 hours, depending on your loved one’s location and care needs.
Is home care an alternative to a care home?
Yes, home care allows people to remain in familiar surroundings while receiving tailored, one-to-one support. It often providing greater flexibility and comfort than residential care.
Which types of home care services are available with Elder?
- 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
- 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
- A carer stays through the night to provide support and reassurance
- Suitable for those needing help overnight or monitoring for safety
- Choose from a sleeping or waking night carer depending on your needs
Respite care
Temporary 24-hour support
Visiting care
Flexible home visits
Overnight care
Which tasks can a home carer help with?
Home carers support your loved one across three main areas: personal care, everyday household tasks, and companionship.
Personal care
This covers help with washing, dressing and grooming, support with mobility around the home, and reminders to take prescribed medication at the right time.
Household tasks
Carers can prepare meals, do light housework like laundry and washing up, and take care of shopping or collecting prescriptions.
Companionship
Just as valuable as the practical support is the company: someone to chat to, share a hobby with, or accompany to a GP appointment or the local shops.
What carers introduced through Elder can't do
Carers introduced through Elder are trained to provide day-to-day support, not clinical care. Tasks that need specialist medical training, such as wound care, injections or managing feeding tubes, fall outside what a carer can safely take on. If your loved one needs this kind of support, it's usually arranged alongside a home carer through their GP, district nurse or a specialist team. You can read more in our quick guide for customers.
Find your ideal carer today
Finding the right carer starts with a few questions. If you need care urgently, or you'd just rather talk, one of our care advisors is on hand.
What’s the difference between home care and a 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.
Home care
Often preferred- Care happens in your loved one's own home
- One-to-one support from a dedicated carer
- Keeps your loved one’s usual routines and everyday independence
- Company from family, friends and neighbours in familiar surroundings
- Best suited to those who don't need constant supervision or specialist medical care
Care home
May suit some needs- Care happens in a residential setting, away from home
- Support shared across a team of staff caring for several residents
- Follows a more structured daily schedule
- Company from staff and other residents
- Best suited to those who need constant supervision or specialist medical care
Home care costs with Elder
Home care costs vary depending on whether your loved one needs occasional visits or full-time live-in support.
- Visiting care with Elder starts from £30 an hour, charged for the time a carer spends with your loved one.
- Live-in care with Elder starts from £1,150 a week, since a carer lives in the home rather than visiting for set hours.
The exact cost depends on your loved one's care needs, location and how much support they need. For a full breakdown of what affects the price, funding options and ways to save, see our complete guide to home care costs.
Home care wherever your loved one lives
Home care with Elder is available in London, Manchester or any other major UK city. Whichever town or postcode your loved one lives in, tell us their care needs and we'll match them with a carer who lives nearby or is ready to move in.
You don't need to compare local agencies one by one. Elder's UK-wide network means the same standard of vetting, matching and ongoing support wherever your loved one lives, backed by an expert team of care advisors.
Real families, real stories
Customer stories: Finding trusted live-in care
Finding the right care can feel overwhelming, but hearing how others made the decision can help. Explore real family stories on our stories page.
Live-in care vs care home: Kenn and Nicole’s story
When dementia specialists advised against a care home, Kenn and Nicole found live-in care as another way to support their parents and keep them in the family home.
Read Kenn and Nicole's story
How live-in care allowed Hayley's dad to remain at home
Hayley shares how live-in care gave her dad tailored support, enabling him to regain his independence after being discharged from hospital.
Read Hayley's story
How home care gave Sharon peace of mind
Sharon shares how home care supported her mum Sheila and gave her peace of mind knowing her mum was cared for and never alone.
Read Sharon's storyWhy Elder
Why families choose Elder
We're not the only way to arrange care at home - but families tell us Elder is the one they trust. Here's why.
You choose who comes into your home
Browse real carer profiles, read reviews from families like yours, speak to carers before committing, and make the choice yourself. Nobody is ever assigned to you without your agreement.
15,000+ five-star reviews
More than 15,000 reviews for the carers on our platform help you pick the best for your loved one. Read what they say – because their word matters more than ours.
Real peace of mind, wherever you are
Daily updates, notes and photos from your carer through the MyElder app mean you always know what's happening - without having to chase. Especially if you live far away.
The whole family, kept in the loop
Give siblings or other relatives their own access to MyElder - so everyone stays informed, not just the person who set care up. No more relaying updates between family members.
A real person to call, seven days a week
Your dedicated Family Support Specialist is there when things feel uncertain - whether you have a practical question, need reassurance, or something needs sorting quickly.
Rigorous vetting before introduction
Every carer goes through identity checks, Enhanced DBS or PVG checks, right to work verification, and professional references - all completed before introduced to a family.
How it works
How do I arrange home care with Elder?
01
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.
02
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.
03
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.
Ready to arrange care?
Start online in minutes to find your ideal carer.
Need guidance?
One of our Care Advisors is on hand to talk it through.
Learn more about home care
Every family's situation is different, so it helps to explore the different home care options available before deciding what's right for yours. These guides cover costs, care types, and practical advice for getting started.
FAQs about home care
Still have questions?0333 920 3648