How many hours of home care do I need and what’s the cost?

If you’re arranging care for yourself or a relative, the answer to “How many hours of home care do I need” depends on several factors and this guide explains the home care support available, how to identify how much home care hours you need, the cost and how to find the right home care.

At a glance

• Home care hours depend on individual needs and can range from a few hours a week to full-time or live-in care.
• The average cost of home care in the UK is around £26-£38 per hour according to homecare.co.uk data with weekly costs increasing based on hours and care level.
• Home care is flexible, allowing hours and costs to change as care needs increase or decrease.

What care and support can you get at home?  

Care at home means support with daily living in your own home, rather than a care home, hospital or other medical facility. It is usually provided by home care providers and agencies. 

 You can get a wide range of home care services also known as domiciliary care including:

• Personal care such as assistance with personal hygiene such as washing, dressing, going to the toilet, teeth brushing. It can also include support to eat and drink.
• Housework such as cleaning, cooking, food shopping, tidying, laundry, ironing etc.
• Mobility support such as assistance if you have limited mobility, such as help getting in and out of bed.
• Limited support with medical needs involving non-nursing care such as medicine collection from pharmacy and applying creams and plasters.
• Companionship care involving your home care worker keeping you company, chatting to you and supporting you to attend appointments and get out and about.     

How many home care hours do I need?

Home care in the UK is flexible and can range from a few hours a week to full-time or live-in care.

There’s no single answer to how many hours of home care you need or how much it will cost but most people begin with a small amount of care and adjust it over time.

It is important to find flexible, reliable care that fits both your needs and budget.

How do I know if my care is right and how much I will need to pay?

To understand how many hours of home care you should have, you need to know what your care needs are and how they can be supported. To find this out you should  contact your local council (or Trust in Northern Ireland) and request that it carries out a care needs assessment. 

If home care is arranged through your local council rather than privately, the council will assess your financial situation to determine if you need to contribute to the cost and if so, how much. This is known as a Financial assessment for care at home. A financial assessment evaluates your income and assets to calculate how much support you’re entitled to or whether you’ll need to self-fund some or all of your care.

This care assessment helps determine:

• The right number of care hours.
• Appropriate support types.
• Estimated ongoing costs.

On the subject of how much care you need, you can get advice from a home care agency as they also assess your care needs.

What’s a typical home care package for the level of care required?

Home care packages for your care needs depend on whether you require:

• Occasional help: 2-5 hours per week. 
• Light but regular support: 5-10 hours per week.
• Daily care visits:10-20 hours per week.
• Intensive care: 20-35+ hours per week.
• Continuous support: Live-in or 24-hour care.
• Care hours can be adjusted as needs change.

You can read about typical home care packages for specific care needs here. 

What can affect how much home care I need?

Several factors influence the amount of care required including level of independence, health conditions, daily routine, your safety and how much supervision you need.

• If you manage most daily tasks independently you may only need short visits, e.g. medication reminders, meal preparation.
• If your care needs are greater you may need ongoing support. Post-hospital recovery,  mobility issues, dementia or long-term illness often increase care hours.
• If there is a risk of falls, confusion, or accidents, additional hours or live-in care may be recommended.

How much does home care cost per hour in the UK?

Home care in the UK costs on average between £26-£38 per hour, according to data from homecare.co.uk.

For example at a rate of £30 per hour, if you need home care for two hours a day, you will pay £420 per week, £1,680 per month and £20,160 a year.

Higher rates may apply for complex needs or specialist care.

Home care costs vary by location in the UK, home care provider and the level of care you need.

In the UK, self-funders pay on average £26.50 per hour for a home care visit, according to data from homecare.co.uk. 

This breaks down to £26.55 per hour in England, £25.71 per hour in Wales, £25.76 per hour in Scotland and £23.93 per hour in Northern Ireland. 

How much is Live-in care?

• Live-in care costs £1,303 a week on average in the UK, according to data from homecare.co.uk.

Can home care hours and costs change over time?

Yes. Home care costs can change based on care intensity and location. One of the main benefits of home care is flexibility.

Care plans can:

• Increase hours after illness or hospital discharge.
• Reduce hours if independence improves.
• Add temporary support for respite care.

Costs adjust based on the number of hours and level of care provided.

How do I find the right home care? 

Choosing the right home care provider is just as important as choosing the level and amount of home care hours.

On homecare.co.uk, you can access guidance on care planning and prices, read verified reviews from families and explore home care services in your local area according to your location.

FAQs