Cost of Live-in Home Care

There are a number of funding routes that can give your loved one access to financial support to ensure they can receive the care they need.

Equity release scheme

One popular way of funding live-in care is through lifetime mortgages – the most popular type of equity release scheme in the UK.

With a lifetime mortgage, you take out a loan secured on your home which does not need to be repaid until the last borrower moves into long-term care or dies. It frees up some of the wealth you have tied up in your home, and you can continue to live there. For more information, download our Care Funding Guidance document, or to speak with an expert, get in touch with a SOLLA-accredited advisor.

Attendance allowance

You may also be eligible for an Attendance Allowance if you need care due to an illness or disability. The amount you can receive is split into two different rates based on the level of care that you need. The two rates are £73.90 or £110.40 a week to support the cost of the care you need. In order to access this funding, you need to have:

• A physical disability, a mental disability or a health condition
• Be of State Pension age or older

Personal Independence Allowance

Personal Independence Allowance (PIP) is similar to Attendance Allowance, but you do not need to be of pension age to receive the support. PIP is not means-tested, and is available to anyone between the ages of 16-66 with a long-term health condition or disability.

The amount you receive from PIP can vary depending on how much support you need with daily tasks, such as meal preparation, getting dressed, mobility, personal care, etc. Weekly rates are between £73.90 and £110.40, whilst mobility support is between £29.20 and £77.05 weekly. Find out more about your eligibility here.

NHS funding

Your loved one may be eligible for NHS care funding if you have a qualifying health need that requires long-term care. The person in need of care will have to undergo several assessments led by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals and social workers. If they are successful, the NHS will cover your live-in care costs in full.

Local authority funding

Your family member may also be eligible for assistance with paying for care from the local authority. To check whether you can receive this funding, the individual requiring care will have to complete a two-step assessment process, one looking at your care needs and a financial assessment.

Often, live-in home care can provide more value for money than going into a residential care home. Some of the factors that make this possible include:

1. No accommodation costs: With live-in care, your loved one can remain in their own home, eliminating the need for additional accommodation expenses that come with residential care.
2. Shared costs: If multiple family members contribute to the cost of live-in care, the financial burden can be divided – making it more affordable compared to covering the full cost of residential care.
3. Tailored services: Live-in care can be customised to meet the specific needs of the individual, including complex care and specialist care, allowing for a more targeted and cost-efficient approach. They receive personalised care without paying for services that may not be required in a residential care setting.
4. Reduced overheads: Residential care facilities have overhead costs associated with operating and maintaining the facility, which can contribute to higher overall costs. Live-in care eliminates these overhead expenses, the charge for live-in care covers the cost of direct caregiving services.

Fully managed live-in care providers offer comprehensive support, handling recruitment, vetting, training, and ongoing supervision of carers. While typically more expensive than introductory agencies, which only connect families with carers, the higher cost reflects greater peace of mind, accountability, and consistent quality of care. Families benefit from 24/7 support, regulatory compliance, and a professional care management team. This ensures continuity, reliability, and safety- all crucial for those with complex or changing care needs.

Respite live-in care costs 

Respite care costs can vary depending on a number of factors. The frequency and length of respite your family needs will affect how long you need to pay for care, whilst the level or complexity of care your loved one needs can also impact costs. Our weekly costs start at £1,650 per week.

While some individuals may require our full-service 24-hour live-in care offering, some may have more specific requests. Often all that’s needed is a friendly face and someone to come to their home for a few hours to support with specific tasks like personal care, to keep track of things, provide support with household tasks and appointments, manage medication and provide some company.

That said, our hourly care is charged at £38.48 per hour on weekdays and £39.90 per hour at the weekend. We know how important it is that your relative builds a strong bond with their carer, and we will provide a dedicated carer they can get to know well.

It can be hard to make that first phone call to us, but there really is no obligation, and we are more than happy to talk through the different options with you so you can make an informed decision.