Most families in the UK end up paying somewhere between £900 and £2,500 a week for 24 hour care at home. Where you land on that range depends on how much hands-on help is needed, and whether one carer covers everything or two work in rotating shifts. There is no single price, because no two people need the same thing.
This guide breaks down what actually drives that cost, so you are not left guessing.
What Affects the Price
A few things decide where you land on that scale.
How much active help is needed. A carer who mostly rests at night, waking only if called, costs less than one who stays alert all night. That difference alone can change the weekly price by several hundred pounds.
One carer or two. A single live-in carer usually works six days a week, then has a break while cover is arranged. Some families want full coverage with two carers on rotating shifts instead, so someone is always fully awake. That model costs more, simply because more staff hours are used.
How complex the condition is. Basic personal care costs less than support for someone with advanced dementia, a feeding tube, or a condition that needs regular medical checks.
Where you live. Prices tend to run a bit higher in London and the South East, and a little lower elsewhere, though the gap is smaller than most people expect.
Typical Weekly Costs
As a rough guide for 2026:
- Standard live-in care (one carer, resting overnight): around £900 to £1,800 a week
- Full waking care (carer active all night, not just resting nearby): around £1,800 to £2,200 a week
- Two carer or shift-based cover for complex needs: often £1,800 to £2,500 a week
These are UK-wide averages. Always ask a provider for a figure based on the actual person, not a general estimate, since needs vary so much from one household to the next.
Is 24 Hour Home Care Cheaper Than a Care Home?
Often, yes, especially for couples. A private room in a care home usually costs between £1,000 and £1,500 a week, and that only covers one person. If two people need support, one live-in carer can sometimes look after both under the same roof. That usually works out cheaper than paying for two separate care home places.
For one person needing standard support, 24 hour care at home and a care home often land in a similar price range. The real difference tends to come down to quality of life rather than cost alone, staying in a familiar home with one dedicated carer, versus a shared setting with rotating staff.
Can You Get Help Paying for It?
Yes, several routes exist, though none cover the full cost for most people.
Attendance Allowance is paid to people over State Pension age who have care needs, no matter their income. In 2026, it pays up to £114.60 a week at the higher rate. That covers only part of the weekly bill, but it helps.
Local authority funding may apply if the person's savings fall below £23,250 in England. This needs both a care needs check and a money check through the local council.
NHS Continuing Healthcare can cover the full cost for people with serious, ongoing health needs. It is based on health need rather than income, so not everyone will qualify.
It is worth asking about all three before assuming the full cost falls on the family.
Questions Worth Asking a Provider
Before agreeing to anything, a few direct questions help avoid surprises later:
- Is the quoted price for a resting-night carer, or a fully awake one?
- Does the price include weekends and bank holidays, or are these charged separately?
- What happens if the carer is unwell, who covers the gap, and at what cost?
- Are there additional charges for specialist training, such as dementia or clinical support?
A provider that answers these clearly, without hesitation, is usually one worth trusting.
Getting a Clear Answer for Your Situation
General figures only go so far. The only reliable way to know what 24-hour care at home would actually cost for your family is through a proper assessment carried out in the home, where real needs are looked at honestly rather than estimated from a distance.
Greenwood Homecare arranges these assessments directly, walking families through exactly what support would look like and what it would cost, with no pressure and no vague pricing. Getting a clear, honest figure early makes the whole decision far less stressful, and it is always worth asking before ruling anything out based on cost alone.
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