One of the first questions families ask when exploring home care is: what will it cost? The honest answer is that it depends on the type of care needed, the number of hours required, and the time of day. This guide explains how private home care is priced in London and what factors affect the total cost.
How Home Care Is Typically Priced
Private home care in London is generally priced in one of three ways:
- Hourly rate – For day and night care, most agencies charge by the hour with a minimum session length. At Golders Green Nursing, we operate long shifts (10–12 hours minimum) for continuity of care – this is better for clients and carers alike.
- Daily rate – Live-in care (where a carer lives in the home and provides 24/7 support) is typically charged as a daily or weekly rate.
- Per-visit rate – Nursing visits for specific clinical tasks (wound care, IV therapy, catheter management) are often charged per visit.
What Affects the Cost?
Several factors influence the total weekly cost of home care:
- Level of care – Personal care and companionship are less expensive than specialist dementia care or nursing care, which requires additional training and clinical oversight.
- Hours per day – More hours means higher cost, but also more support for your loved one. Live-in care often offers better value than multiple short visits.
- Time of day – Some agencies charge higher rates for night care and weekend visits. We keep our pricing straightforward.
- Clinical complexity – If nursing visits are required (such as wound management or IV therapy), these are in addition to carer costs.
- Agency model – Agencies that employ their staff directly (rather than using self-employed workers) typically charge more – but also provide greater consistency, insurance, and compliance. Golders Green Nursing employs all our carers and nurses directly.
How Does This Compare to Residential Care?
Many families are surprised to learn that live-in home care can be less expensive than residential care – particularly high-quality care homes in London, where fees can be substantial. Beyond cost, home care allows your loved one to remain in familiar surroundings, which is often beneficial for both wellbeing and clinical outcomes, particularly for those living with dementia. See our comparison: Home Care vs Residential Care.
Funding Options
Self-funding is the most common approach for private home care in London. However, some families may be eligible for:
- NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) – Fully funded by the NHS for those with a primary health need. Requires a multidisciplinary assessment. Worth exploring if your loved one has complex medical needs.
- Attendance Allowance – A benefit for people over 65 who need help with personal care or supervision. Not means-tested. Can contribute towards care costs.
- Local Authority funding – Following a care needs assessment, some individuals may qualify for local authority funding. However, this is typically subject to means testing and the rates funded are often insufficient for the quality of care available in the private market.
Getting a Clear Quote
At Golders Green Nursing, we believe in transparent, accessible pricing. We will always discuss costs clearly and honestly before you make any commitment. Contact us on 0208 371 9592 to discuss your loved one’s needs and get a clear picture of what care would cost. Our home care assessment and initial consultation are both provided free of charge.
We serve families across North and Central London, including Hampstead, Marylebone, St John’s Wood, Belgravia, and many other areas.