Home Care services explained: What it is, how much it costs and how to find agencies near you

Home care provides a lifeline for lots of older adults who need support within their homes. If you hate the thought of moving into a care home, home care could help you avoid that.

This guide answers questions about home care services, providing information that you can use to find the best options for you or someone you love. 

You can search for home care agencies using Autumna for free and get advice about finding, funding or planning home care by calling 01892 335 330.

What is home care for?

It’s help at home.

Home care is for companionship, food, housework, personal care and support. The services provided by a home care worker range from hoovering and meal preparation to attentive nursing care at home for a person with Alzheimer's disease. Home care can be relied on whether you have an ongoing condition or not, often it is sought to improve quality of life, with fewer chores and more time to relax. 

Companionship: Conversation, gardening, pet care, appointment scheduling, assistance with getting to appointments and social activities.

Food: Shopping, packing away, cooking, assistance with eating and cleaning the kitchen/dining area.

Household: Specific room cleaning i.e. bathroom, laundry, dusting, hoovering, organising and tidying.

Mobility: Hoisting, transferring, assistance with going to the toilet, turning, stretching.

Personal: Oral medication, hair washing, bathing, drying hair, shaving, hair styling, dressing

Do you have to have mobility issues to ask for home care?

No! Home care can be provided for a range of reasons and you certainly don’t need to struggle with mobility issues to ask for support. 

Home care is typically for older people who are fairly independent but still want regular support. You can have as little as 20 minutes of home care or choose all-day assistance if that’s what you want and can afford. 

It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a diagnosed condition, ongoing illness or mobility issues, home care is for anyone. 

British home care services 

Autumna lists hundreds of British home care agencies. When comparing in-home care, it can be helpful to compare all the aspects of a service that could affect your quality of care. 

Many home care workers are trained professionals. Depending on the level of care you require, you may be able to request specific care such as bariatric care, diabetes support or cancer care. 

However, there are also home care workers without nursing qualifications but with great experience within the care industry. 

Home care services range from domestic support to round-the-clock care delivered by a live-in carer. 

The most important thing when you're looking at the pros and cons of home care is that you get on with the home care worker, they support you in the way you need and that it’s affordable for you. 

Find dementia home care near you

When you need dementia care fast and you want it from home, compare home care services on Autumna. You can filter by price, location and the type of care needed. 

You can also adjust the filters based on whether you’re searching for home care for moderate, mild or severe dementia (EMI). 

Autumna can also help you find home care professionals that assist with different dementia behaviours and dementia specialisms. 

How much do home care agencies charge per hour?

An assessment of the home care providers on the Autumna website shows an average hourly rate of around £22-£23/hour for home care across England. 

You may have thought the hourly rate for a home carer would be slightly higher in London, but with so many home care agencies and therefore more competition, that’s not the case. 

Home care prices in rural areas – where there’s perhaps less competition between home care agencies - can be higher. 

Within each geographic area of course there can be large variations in price. If you were to search for home care in Manchester on the Autumna directory for example, you’d find home care agencies that charge £30+/hour and others charging below £15.

Home care cost example

*The example above is given to demonstrate the cost of care and is not an accurate reflection of what your costs for care would be. 

To calculate how much home care could cost, you’ll need to know your area's home care agency costs. Autumna can send you a list for free or you can search yourself. 

How much does dementia care at home cost?

Specialist dementia care can be charged at a higher rate depending on the requirements of the person receiving the care.

The cost of dementia care at home in England can vary depending on many factors, such as location, level of care needed, and the type of caregiver you choose. 

For instance, if a registered nurse is needed, the cost can be higher than that of a home care worker who provides cleaning services. 

Additionally, some families may choose to hire a live-in caregiver. Weekly costs for this service can range between hundreds or thousands of pounds.

It's important to do your research and compare multiple providers to ensure you are getting the best price for the level of care you require.

Are you entitled to financial support to pay for home care?

You may be entitled to funding support for home care if you have ongoing medical needs, though that will depend on your circumstances.

If you’re over 65, required to pay for your care based on a means test, yet require day-to-day assistance, you may be eligible to apply for benefits such as Attendance Allowance.

If you’re under 65 and require help with day-to-day activities, you may be entitled to PIP (Personal Independence Payment).

What do you need?

Tell us your care requirements and we'll match you with the best home care service providers near you. 

It might also be a good idea to ask your local authority or GP for a care needs assessment. The assessment should tell you how much support you need so you can compare home care costs and work out your budget. 

People also ask

Where can I find respite home care?

Respite care at home refers to the short-term support provided by a care worker to offer a break to family members or unpaid caregivers. It can also be relied upon for post-operation and recovery assistance.

You can search for home care for respite on Autumna. Search by location, price and care type: Respite Care.

What’s the difference between domiciliary care vs. live-in care?

Domiciliary care typically involves a care worker who comes to your home and assists you for a set amount of time, such as an hour each day. 

On the other hand, a live-in carer will stay with you in your home. Depending on the agreement, they may be available to assist you during the day or night. 

However, please keep in mind that to accommodate a live-in carer, you'll need to have a spare bedroom that is suitable and comfortable for them to stay in.

Are home care agencies registered with the CQC?

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates companies providing personal care such as grooming, showering, and continence care but doesn't oversee home care agencies that assist with household tasks like shopping and cleaning.