Published 18 June 2026. Last edited 26 October 2026.
Care at home
Care and later-life support in the UK
Compare your options, understand what care really costs, and find out what funding and benefits you may be entitled to. Independent, jargon-free guidance.
- £25–£32an hour for home care
- £1,200–£1,600a week for live-in care
- £1,298a week, residential care home
- £1,535a week, nursing home
The UK Cost of Care Index 2026
What care homes cost by region, and the gap between what councils pay and what homes charge. Free to cite.
At a glance
Care options and what they cost
You may get help through the council means test, Attendance Allowance or NHS funding.
| Option | Typical UK cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Home care | £25–£32 / hour | Help with daily tasks while staying in your own home |
| Live-in care | £1,200–£1,600 / week | Round-the-clock one-to-one support at home |
| Residential care home | £1,298 / week | Help with daily living in a care setting |
| Nursing home | £1,535 / week | Ongoing medical or nursing needs |
| Personal alarms | £15–£30 / month | Fast help at the press of a button |
Types of care
Which kind of care fits
Home care
Visiting carers for daily tasks, personal care and companionship in your own home.
Live-in care
A dedicated carer living with you, a one-to-one alternative to a care home.
Care homes
Residential and nursing homes, how to compare options, fees and funding.
Personal alarms
Fall detectors and telecare for fast help at the press of a button.
Free guides, data and tools
Plan and pay for care
The UK Cost of Care Index 2026
Our flagship study on what care costs across the UK, free to cite.
UK Care Costs 2026
Home care, live-in care and care homes, by region.
Care cost calculator
Estimate weekly and yearly costs by care type, hours and region.
How to pay for care
Means tests, Attendance Allowance, NHS funding and council support.
UK Care Hours Index
What an hour of care costs, and what Attendance Allowance buys.
Choosing care checklist
Questions to ask, red flags and CQC checks.
Care home top-up fees
When a council can ask for one, and when it cannot.
How much does care at home cost in the UK?
In 2026, home care (carers visiting your home) typically costs around £25–£32 per hour, while live-in care usually ranges from about £1,200 to £1,600 per week depending on needs and location. Costs vary significantly across the UK.
Who pays for care at home?
Care is means-tested. If your capital is above the upper threshold (£23,250 in England), you usually pay for your own care. Below that, your local council may contribute after a needs and financial assessment. Thresholds differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
What's the difference between home care and live-in care?
Home care means carers visit for scheduled hours to help with tasks like washing, dressing and medication. Live-in care means a carer lives in your home full time, providing round-the-clock support, often an alternative to moving into a care home.
Can I get financial help with care costs?
You may qualify for council funding after an assessment, plus benefits such as Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, which are not means-tested. NHS Continuing Healthcare can fully fund care for those with significant health needs.
How do I arrange care at home?
Start by requesting a free needs assessment from your local council's adult social services. You can then choose a CQC-regulated care agency or, with a personal budget or direct payment, arrange care yourself.
How long does a care needs assessment take?
There is no fixed legal deadline. Most councils carry out the needs assessment within a few weeks of your request, and the financial assessment follows it, so allow four to six weeks end to end, and longer in busy areas. Urgent cases (a hospital discharge, a carer crisis) can be fast-tracked, sometimes within days. The practical advice: request the assessment as soon as care looks likely, not when it becomes unavoidable.