How much does live-in care actually cost?
Honest 2026 prices for private home care across the UK — live-in, hourly visits, dementia care, and respite. No agency commission, no inflated brochure quotes.
Hourly home care
1-hour minimum, daytime. Evenings, weekends and bank holidays priced higher.
Live-in care (one person)
24-hour care in your own home. Higher band for dementia, mobility or disturbed nights.
Live-in care (couples)
One caregiver supporting two people in the same home — typically +£150–£250/week.
Respite & short-stay
Cover for family carers — a week, a fortnight, or longer. Same live-in carer rates.
Why DebbiesCare is cheaper than an agency
Traditional agencies charge £1,400–£2,000/week for live-in care and pay the carer £700–£900 of that. The difference is the agency margin. DebbiesCare is a membership, not an agency: families pay £19/month and arrange pay directly with the caregiver. More money reaches the person doing the work, and your weekly cost drops by hundreds.
Common questions about cost
How much does live-in care cost in the UK?
Private live-in care in the UK typically runs £950–£1,500 per week for one person, depending on needs, location, and whether nights are disturbed. Through DebbiesCare you pay the caregiver directly — there is no agency commission on the hours worked, just a £19/month membership.
How much does live-in care cost for couples?
Live-in care for couples usually adds £150–£250/week on top of the single-person rate, because one caregiver is supporting two people in the same home. Most couples in Surrey and the London commuter belt land between £1,150 and £1,700/week.
How much does hourly home care cost?
Hourly visiting care in the UK is typically £20–£28/hour for daytime visits, with a one-hour minimum at most providers. Evenings, weekends and bank holidays are higher. Many families combine 2–4 hourly visits a day with family at night before moving to live-in.
How much does dementia care at home cost?
Dementia-experienced carers are usually at the upper end of the bands above: £1,100–£1,600/week for live-in, £24–£30/hour for visits. The difference reflects training (de-escalation, sundowning, safe-walking) rather than markup.
Who pays for elderly care at home in the UK?
Most private home care in England is self-funded if savings are above £23,250. Below that, the local council contributes after a needs and means assessment. Attendance Allowance (£72.65 or £108.55 a week, June 2026) is not means-tested and can be claimed alongside private care. NHS Continuing Healthcare can cover the full cost where care needs are primarily health-related.
How does this compare to a care home?
A residential care home in the South East averages £1,200–£1,600/week; a nursing home £1,400–£1,900/week. Live-in care at home is often comparable or cheaper for one person — and dramatically cheaper for couples, who would otherwise pay two care-home fees.