Taking a deep dive into the cost of live-in care in the UK
When it comes to choosing the best care option for elderly or ailing individuals, a large number of people in the UK go for live-in care. This type of 24-hour care is ideal for those who are either bedridden or too sick to perform the simplest tasks of daily life, and thus need a high level of support. Live-in care can also be a more affordable option than admitting your loved one to an assisted living facility or care home. If you are wondering about the cost of live-in care and how live-in care works, you will find an in-depth explanation of the same below.
The cost of live-in care
As the name suggests, live-in care is a type of care, where a trained caregiver lives at their client’s home to provide care and support around the clock. This type of 24-hour care is ideal for people who are either too old or too sick to take care of themselves. If you or a loved one has lost the ability to perform simple daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, eating, or showering on their own, hiring a 24/7 live-in caregiver would be ideal. The best part about live-in care is that it allows you to stay in the comfort of your own home instead of having to move into a care home or an assisted living facility.
In many cases, live-in care cost per week tends to be lower than the fees charged by care homes. However, the exact cost of live-in care will depend on several factors such as the level of care you need, where you live in the UK, and who is offering you that service. Live-in care service charges can vary from one provider to another, but on average, live-in care costs:
- £1,460 per week for an individual
- £1,700 per week for a couple
As you can see from the basic average cost of live-in care, it is an ideal choice for elderly couples who want to be cared for in the familiar surroundings of their own home.
Live-in care cost in 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected the healthcare industry. So, you might wonder if the cost of live-in care in the UK has been affected by it. During the initial stages of the pandemic, older adults and elderly individuals were most at risk. As social distancing became the norm, and people were forced to stay indoors, live-in care became one of the most sought-after modes of caregiving in the UK. The high demand for caregivers and the inflation caused by the pandemic may have had a role to play in live-in care costs in 2022.
Since different live-in care services have different rates and charges vary based on the personal needs and circumstances of the client, it is difficult to say exactly how much it would cost you to hire live-in caregivers. However, we can give you an estimate. For instance, the average cost of hiring a live-in caregiver can be anywhere from £100 to £120 per day. On the other hand, live-in care for the elderly might cost between £950 and £1050 every week. The hourly rate of elderly care can range from £15 to £25 depending on the level of care and the provider.
Can you get financial support for live-in care in the UK?
If you are looking for live-in care in London, and wondering if you can get any financial support from the government, you should reach out to your local council. After performing a needs assessment, your local council may be able to contribute to the cost of care at home. In some cases, the local council can also arrange for home care services for people and contribute to the overall cost. This type of financial aid is known as state-funded home care. You can check if the same applies to live-in care, or if you can get a portion of the cost from the council.
In certain situations, the council may deem you ineligible for financial help, but they will need to provide you with information on how to get the best help in your area. The council will also perform a financial assessment to work out the amount you will need to contribute to home care costs. This is called a “means test.” How much you have to pay will depend on your salary and savings. The more money you have, the higher you will need to pay.
If you reach out to the council for financial support with the cost of live-in care, they will send a financial assessment officer to your home. The officer will look at your earnings, savings, benefits, pensions, and property. However, they won’t need to know the value of your life insurance policies or the net worth of your possessions. Since you are not going into a nursing home or care facility, the officer won’t need to consider the value of your property.
If you have:
- For more than £23,250, you will need to pay the entirety of home care costs.
- Between £14,250 and £23,250, the council will pay a certain amount of the home care cost.
- For less than £14,250, the council won’t include your capital in the test and will pay for your care.
If you have been paying for home care out of pocket, and if you are now running low on money, the council may decide to help you with funding. You should request an assessment at your local council as soon as you get close to the £23,250 threshold.
Get the best live-in care services in London at Total Caring
If you are looking for live-in care in the South London or Surrey area, you should certainly check out Total Caring, one of the top home care agencies in the UK. Total Caring hires highly trained and professional caregivers to provide first-class care at home. If you are looking for 24-hour live-in care for yourself or a loved one, make sure to contact Total Caring to know about the charge.
