UK Live-in Care Cost Calculator

UK live-in care costs £1,200–£1,500/week for one person with straightforward needs in 2026 (national midpoint around £1,350). Complex needs push this to £1,600–£1,800/week, and cases requiring two carers can exceed £2,000/week. Couples ("companion care") typically cost £1,500–£2,000/week — only 10-15% more than single, since one carer supports both. Provider rates vary: Hometouch and Elder operate introducer models from £1,150–£1,500; Helping Hands is fully managed at £1,675/week single / £2,125 couple.

For individuals, broadly comparable. UK average nursing home is £1,512/week; live-in care averages £1,350/week — slightly cheaper but the gap closes once you factor in keeping the home running (heating, council tax, food for the carer). For couples, live-in is decisively cheaper: one live-in carer at £1,800/week supports both vs two nursing-home places at £3,000+. In London, where nursing homes routinely exceed £1,800/week, live-in care wins on cost for individuals too. Use our Nursing Home Cost Calculator for the direct comparison.

For individuals, residential care homes (£1,300/week UK average) are typically slightly cheaper than live-in care (£1,350/week). For couples, live-in is significantly cheaper. The non-cost factors — staying in familiar surroundings, keeping pets, maintaining a daily routine — often weigh more heavily for families than the £50/week price difference, especially in early to mid dementia.

Live-in care for a couple ("companion care") costs £1,500–£2,000/week — typically only 10–15% more than single-person care because one carer supports both. Compared with two care home places (which would cost £2,600–£3,000+/week), live-in care saves £30,000–£50,000/year for couples, plus the emotional benefit of staying together at home.

Rarely directly. Most councils will fund the equivalent value of a residential placement (typically £900–£1,300/week) and leave families to top up if they want live-in instead. Some councils accept a Personal Budget paid as a Direct Payment, which can then be used to commission live-in care. The home is NOT counted in the means test for community care, so the £14,250 / £23,250 capital thresholds (England) only apply to savings.

Yes in principle — CHC is non-means-tested and not setting-specific, so the NHS can fund care wherever it's delivered, including live-in at home. In practice, ICBs often prefer cheaper care home placements unless the person has specific reasons to remain at home (ventilator dependency, particular vulnerability, family preference where home is the assessed best interest). It's harder to win CHC for home-based care but worth requesting a Checklist if needs are complex.

Standard live-in care includes 24/7 presence, personal care (washing, dressing, toileting), meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication prompts, companionship, and daily living support. The carer must have a private bedroom, food and drink provided by the household, and is entitled to a daily 2-hour break. NOT typically included: groceries, household bills, specialist nursing tasks (those need community nurses or CHC), and the carer's pre-arranged time off (covered by a replacement, usually built into the package fee).

Yes. Live-in carers eat meals from the household — this is industry standard and built into provider expectations. Most carers eat what the family eats; some have specific dietary requirements that families accommodate. Budget for one extra adult's food (typically £40–£60/week). The carer must also have a private bedroom, ideally with a lock, and access to bathroom facilities.

Live-in carers are entitled to a 2-hour break each day, typically arranged so a family member, friend, or visiting carer covers. For longer breaks, providers rotate carers — most agencies swap every 2–4 weeks, with the new carer arriving as the previous one leaves. For high-needs cases where two carers are required (heavy moving and handling, severe behavioural challenges in dementia), the package fee roughly doubles.

Live-in care is one carer present 24/7 with a daily 2-hour break, sleeping at night with up to two brief overnight calls allowed (per Mencap v Tomlinson-Blake). Cost: £1,200–£1,500/week single. True 24-hour care is two carers in shift rotation providing continuous active staffing — required for very high needs and costing £2,000+/week. Most families assume 'live-in' means 'awake all night' but it doesn't; if your parent regularly needs help overnight, you need waking-night cover (see our Home Care Cost Calculator) or 24-hour active care, not standard live-in.