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

If you’re arranging care, you may be wondering how many hours of home care you need and how much it will cost. This guide explains the different levels of home care available, what can affect the number of care hours you need, typical costs and how to find the right support.

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 £26.50 per hour for a home care visit 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.

Someone who needs occasional help with meals or household tasks may only need a few visits each week. Someone who needs support at several points throughout the day may need more frequent or longer visits. If it becomes difficult to remain safely at home between visits, other options such as live-in care may be worth considering.

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 figure out how many hours of home care you might need, start by thinking about what kind of support you require. You can contact your local council, or your Trust if you live in Northern Ireland, and ask for a care needs assessment.

If your local council arranges your home care, they will review your finances to see whether you need to pay towards the cost, and how much. This process is called a financial assessment for care at home. It checks your income and assets to work out how much help you can get, or if you need to pay for some or all of your care yourself.

This care assessment helps decide:

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

You can also ask a home care agency for advice about how much care you might need, since they can assess your needs too.

What does a typical home care package look like for different levels of care?

The amount of support varies from person to person, but the examples below show how different levels of home care might look:

• 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.

You can change your care hours if your needs change.

What can affect how much home care I need?

The amount of care you need depends on things like your independence, your health, your daily routine, your safety needs, and how much supervision you require.

• If you can do most daily tasks on your own, you might only need short visits, such as help with medication reminders or meal preparation.
• If you need more help, you may require ongoing support. Recovering after a hospital stay, mobility problems, dementia, or long-term illness can mean you need more care hours.
• If you’re at risk of falls, confusion or accidents, you may need more frequent support. If it becomes difficult to remain safely at home between visits, live-in care may also be worth considering.

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

Home care costs can change depending on where you live in the UK, which provider you choose, and how much 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.

Next steps

• Contact your local council: Request a formal care needs assessment to determine the exact level and type of support required.
• Request a financial assessment: Have the council assess your income and assets to see whether you qualify for funding support or will need to self-fund.
• Research local agencies: Browse homecare.co.uk to compare local providers, read reviews, and consult agencies for personalised care package recommendations.

FAQs