PRICE GUIDE · CARE & SUPPORT · 2026–2027
Elderly Care cost in the UK
£26–£38 per hour. Typically £34.
Elderly care at home is usually charged by the hour at £26–£38, with £34 a fair typical figure for a private self-funder. The cost rises with the level of personal care, the number of visits each day, unsocial hours and a London or South East address.
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HOW MUCH IT COSTS
How much does elderly care cost in the UK?
| Low end | £26 | longer weekday visits outside the South East |
|---|---|---|
| Typical | £34 | what most people pay |
| High end | £38 | short weekend calls in London |
Locufy guide prices for 2026–2027. Updated 2026. A national range, not a quote — enter your town above for real prices from the carers and care agencies near you.
What moves the price
- Level of need — elderly care that includes washing, dressing and continence support costs more than help with chores
- Visits per day — elderly care spread over four short visits costs more per hour than one longer visit
- Time of day — early mornings, late evenings and weekends usually carry a higher elderly care rate
- Where your relative lives — elderly care agencies in the South East and London charge the most
- Two carers — an older person who needs a hoist will need two carers at each elderly care visit
- Agency or self-employed carer — an agency adds management, cover and training to the elderly care rate
WHAT YOU GET
What an elderly care visit includes
Takes: Usually visits of thirty minutes to an hour, from once a week to several times a day. Not included: Care home fees, nursing care from a registered nurse and round-the-clock live-in care are separate — see the related guides below.
WHAT PEOPLE BOOK
Common elderly care jobs
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Elderly Care near you, with prices shown
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How to pay less
- Ask the council for a care needs assessment before paying privately for elderly care
- Combine elderly care tasks into fewer, longer visits where safe, as short calls cost more per hour
- Check whether your relative can claim Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment towards elderly care
Before you book
- Check the elderly care agency is registered with CQC in England, the Care Inspectorate, CIW or RQIA
- Ask for a written elderly care plan agreed with your relative, and review it after the first weeks
- Find out how the elderly care agency matches carers, so your relative sees the same faces
- Ask for every elderly care charge in writing, including mileage, bank holidays and cancellation terms
Elderly Care cost: questions people ask
About £26–£38 an hour privately, with £34 a sensible typical figure. Weekday visits outside the South East cost least; short weekend calls in London cost most.
It varies widely, from one weekly visit for chores to several visits a day. Many people start with an hour a day and add visits as their needs change.
The rules differ by nation. England and Northern Ireland means-test care with an upper capital limit; Wales caps the weekly charge for care at home; Scotland provides free personal care once a council assessment confirms the need.
Most families find a small team of regular carers works best, as familiar faces matter to older people. Ask the agency how it keeps continuity.
Nursing care from a registered nurse, live-in care and care home fees are separate services with their own prices.
They are Locufy guide prices for the UK, drawn from published private home care rates and a national price index. They are a national range rather than a quote.
MORE GUIDES