Home care (also called domiciliary or visiting care) means carers come to your own home to help with everyday tasks — from a quick daily visit to several calls a day — so you can stay living independently.
Key facts
- Typical UK cost: around £25–£32 an hour (2025/26).
- Arranged privately or, after a needs assessment, through your local council.
- Providers in England are regulated and inspected by the CQC.
- You may get help with the cost — see funding below.
What home care covers
Home care is flexible and built around your needs. Common support includes:
- Personal care — washing, dressing, help getting up or to bed
- Medication reminders and prompts
- Meal preparation and help eating
- Light housework, laundry and shopping
- Companionship and help getting out and about
How much does home care cost?
Most UK home care is charged by the hour. As a guide, private rates run from about £25 an hour (Age UK’s typical figure) up to the Homecare Association’s recommended minimum price of £32.14 an hour for 2025/26. Rates are usually higher in London and the South East, and visits shorter than an hour often cost more per hour.
As a rough example, one hour-long visit a day works out at roughly £175–£225 a week; four short calls a day can reach £800–£1,200+ a week. If you need that much support, live-in care is often worth comparing.
Help with paying for home care
Your council can arrange a free needs assessment, then a financial assessment (means test). For care at home, the value of your home is not counted. In England, if you have savings and capital below £14,250 you’ll only contribute from income; above £23,250 you usually pay the full cost.
Attendance Allowance can help too — it’s not means-tested and pays £76.70 or £114.60 a week (2026/27) depending on how much help you need. Full details are in our guide to paying for care.
How to choose a home care provider
- Check the provider’s latest CQC rating and report.
- Ask whether you’ll see the same regular carers.
- Confirm pricing, minimum visit length, and notice periods in writing.
- Ask how care plans are reviewed and how concerns are handled.
Figures are general guides for 2025/26 and change each April — always confirm current rates with your council, GOV.UK and individual providers. This is general information, not financial or care advice. Last reviewed June 2026.