Home care costs
At The Good Care Group, we’re here to support you through every stage of your care journey. For us, that includes helping you make the right decision when it comes to costs.
Explore our helpful guide on how to evaluate home care costs, designed to help you plan for the future with confidence.
Benefits of home care
When comparing the cost of home care to the cost of care in a residential or nursing home, it is worth looking at the unique benefits of receiving care in your own home:
- Dedicated, one-to-one care that is difficult to achieve even in the best care home settings
- Reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation thanks to the companionship of a carer
- Support with tasks like cleaning, cooking, and caring for pets
- Remaining in the community you love, close to family and friends
- Improved overall health and well-being
- Continuity of care up to 24 hours a day
- An immediate response to medical emergencies such as slips and falls
- Peace of mind and reassurance for family members
What are costs of care at The Good Care Group?
At The Good Care Group, one of our expert care managers will meet with you and your family at home – or in hospital if you are waiting to be discharged – for a free care consultation. This will cover topics like your care and support needs, as well as your routines and preferences. Once we have a deeper understanding of your unique needs, we’ll offer a personalised quotation for the home care package that will best suit your lifestyle.
Hourly care
Flexible hourly care personalised to your schedule and needs. Visits start from just 60 minutes and are tailored to ensure you receive the care required.
- Maintain regular routine with support
- One-to-one care and assistance
- Pay only for the care you need, when you need it
Live-in care
One-to-one live-in care at home provides personalised, 24/7 support, enabling individuals to maintain their independence in the comfort of their own homes.
- Care provided in the comfort of your home
- Dedicated carer matched to you
- Maintain lifestyle and regular routine
What is a residential care home?
Residential care is when you move out of your own home and move into a communal residence to receive the care you need. There are different types of residential settings – some only support general care needs, like companionship, personal care, and mobility care (referred to as residential care), while others provide support for complex care and medical needs – these are nursing homes. Most residential care operators provide homes that offer three levels of care, typically on three different floors – residential, nursing, and specialist care for conditions like dementia.
Every resident has their own bedroom and en-suite, but there are communal areas to be enjoyed, including lounges, dining rooms, and outdoor spaces. Care is provided by a team of carers and other healthcare professionals around the clock within the care home.
What are the costs of residential care?
According to care funding research, the average weekly cost of residential care if you are a self-funder is £1,298, while the average weekly cost of nursing care is £1,535. This can vary significantly depending on the standards of care, the environment, and the location of the care home. However, care homes are typically more expensive in London, and the South East of England.
When considering a care home, it is important to ask them what is included in the weekly fee, as there are generally optional extras, such as trips or hairdressing, all of which can add up over the course of a year. Also, if you are a couple receiving care in a care home, the cost is typically double as you will be required to have two rooms.
What is an assisted living facility?
Another type of residential care facility is an assisted living facility. This is a residential complex – made up of self-contained apartments, bungalows, or flats – that offers 24-hour support.
The home you live in will have a call bell so you can call for help and support in case there is an emergency. Usually, assisted living facilities are considered when care needs are low.
Assisted living can provide you with your own space, where you can stay as independent as possible, surrounded by a community of like-minded people. However, there are some things to consider before choosing assisted living:
- Care provided will often be reactive rather than proactive, and you may not receive a dedicated one-to-one personalised care plan
- Most assisted living facilities do not accept pets
- If care needs increase, you’ll likely need to find another care arrangement
- Weekly rent will depend on your accommodation, care needs, and facilities, and you’ll need to finance outgoings like food
What is a domiciliary care agency?
Domiciliary care, also known as visiting or hourly care, can be provided by an agency to provide regular care during the week. With this form of care, you’ll stay in your own home and receive care as and when you need it.
This form of care is suitable for people with low or medium care needs, and someone who does not require round-the-clock care.
Things to consider before choosing a domiciliary care agency:
- Some introductory care agencies do not manage, vet, or hire their own carers, making supervision and management your responsibility
- Visiting carers will have several clients during the day, so care tasks can sometimes feel rushed, and there isn’t always time for companionship
- Domiciliary care is not suitable for someone living with high needs, as there is limited time for quality complex care to be provided
- Family members may still need to be involved in providing care depending on a person’s needs at other times throughout the day
- Coordination of visits from other healthcare professionals is the responsibility of you and your family
- Family members may need to provide cover if a carer is sick or there is an unexpected absence.
Frequently asked questions
Talk to us about your care needs
To talk about your care needs, contact one of our friendly advisors.
Calls from landlines are free.