Wondering about home care costs in London
Home care or domiciliary care is one of the best alternatives to care homes in the UK as it allows people to get the care and help they need in the comfort of their own homes. If you are planning to hire private carers for an elderly or disabled family member or a loved one, you are probably wondering about how much it will cost. The amount you will need to pay for at-home care will depend on several factors such as the type of care provider you will choose, the level of care you will need, and where you live in the UK.
What is home care and how is home care cost in London calculated?
Home care is supportive care or health care provided by professional caregivers at the patient’s or client’s home. Unlike the care provided in group accommodations such as nursing homes or care homes, home care allows an elderly, ailing, or disabled person to live safely and comfortably at home while receiving professional support services.
Home care services are ideal for those who need assistance to live independently. Here, professional caregivers such as aides, nurses, and therapists provide long-term or short-term care at home depending on the client’s or patient’s needs.
As mentioned above, various factors can influence and determine home care costs, and most agencies typically quote an hourly rate for their services. Home care or live-in care fees are often calculated on a weekly basis. The Homecare Association is responsible for calculating the minimum rate local authorities must pay to home care agencies for their services.
The Homecare Association calculates the minimum amount every year, and from 2021 to 2022, they recommended local authorities pay a minimum amount of £21.43 per hour when funding home care services. That is deemed as the minimum rate, which allows home care agencies to deliver financially sustainable services while complying with the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage.
Cost of home care in London
When discussing home care services costs, it is worth noting that the Homecare Association states that councils should go beyond the minimum rate and consider paying a higher price to help agencies meet the non-statutory living wages. The higher rates should factor in additional costs that agencies need to bear including office costs and travel expenses. The higher rates recommended by the Homecare Association for 2021 to 2022 are:
- London: £25.70 per hour
- Other places in the UK: £22.73 per hour
You should remember that these rates are not fixed by law, and they are simply recommendations for local authorities. However, these rates should give you a general idea of home care cost in London. Homecare agencies can charge their clients any amount that they deem as fair and competitive pricing, and it is especially true for those who are paying for home care out of pocket.
How much will you need to pay for home care?
Only a handful of agencies that provide home care in London will give you a standard price list. In most cases, home care agencies offer personalized packages based on the client’s needs, and their fees tend to vary widely based on several factors. For instance, if you primarily require companionship or help to do chores around the house, the home care agency in London may offer these services at a relatively low cost.
On the other hand, if you are seeking round-the-clock assistance for someone who is suffering from dementia or any other complex medical problem, the home care services will be fairly expensive. Home care costs in London may also be affected by the time of day when you need support. For instance, night-time services tend to cost more than daytime services.
While it is natural for agencies to offer home care packages that are tailored to a potential client’s needs, it can make it difficult for you to shop around for services. Comparing rates against services is one of the quickest ways of choosing a service provider. However, choosing home care agencies is a little more complicated than that.
That is why you should put some thought and effort into finding the best home care service. You can even get a “needs assessment” from the local authority to get a good head-start.
Which home care agency should you hire?
If you are struggling to find a home care agency that fulfills all your requirements and also charges a relatively low amount for their services, you should check out Total Caring. We are one of the leading home care agencies in the UK, and we offer our services in the South London and Surrey region. Our managers and caregivers have decades of experience under their belt, and it allows them to offer the most comprehensive services.
Since its inception, Total Caring has dedicated itself to offering the highest standard of in-home care to people who need it the most. We offer a wide range of services including companionship, home help, physical disability support, mental health support, dementia care, elderly care, palliative care, end-of-life care, and much more. We offer both short-term and long-term care based on the client’s needs.
To provide the most affordable home care services in Croydon, Total Caring offers customized care packages only. That means our home care costs are determined based entirely on the specific needs of the client. It not only allows us to choose the perfect caregiver or support team for the person in need, but it enables us to do the same while charging the lowest amount we possibly can.
As our name suggests, Total Caring is all about caring for those in need. Our goal is to offer support and assistance to those who need it the most in the comfort of their own home. We are known for maintaining the highest standards in care and quality, and we only hire professional caregivers to uphold our quality standards and values. Get in touch with us to know more about our services and packages today!
