The rising cost of everyday essentials has become a real concern for lots of families over the past year or so and many are worried about making ends meet. People have been forced to make difficult decisions in an attempt to save money on monthly expenses and for elderly adults who need extra support, this can be very concerning.
If someone you love is struggling with day-to-day tasks and has been considering moving into a residential care home, this may now be an unaffordable option for them. Lots of care homes have been forced to increase their fees in the last few months, meaning residential care is no longer a sustainable choice. In the midst of the cost-of-living crisis, elderly people simply can’t afford to pay thousands of pounds a month for care.
We wanted to create this post to say that hope is not lost, if your elderly relative needs some care and support on a day-to-day basis, home care services are worth considering. For many, in home care is much more affordable than residential care home fees and home care agencies make professional care services more accessible. Below we have looked into how much in home care costs in more detail.
The cost of in home care for the elderly
Families who are searching for affordable care and support services will frequently ask us “How much will in home care cost?”, but this can be difficult to answer. Several factors will impact the cost of home care services and we will explore these in more below, however, it’s key to note that home care is charged on the premise of time.
Typically, home care agencies will provide different lengths of care visits, such as; 15-minute, 30-minute and 1-hour home visits. To give you an indication of costs, a 1-hour visit will cost somewhere between £20 to £40 and you will only pay for the amount of time you need. So, for some, in home care can cost as little as £100 a week, but for others, it will cost more.
When compared to residential care homes that can cost between £750 and £2,000 a week, home care services are more budget-friendly for many elderly people.
Factors that impact the cost of in home care
As mentioned above several factors impact the cost of in home care for elderly people and sometimes, care costs will even differ from one week to the next depending on specific needs. One of the biggest factors that will affect the cost of care is the number of visits required. Simply put, the more professional support your loved one needs, the more expensive care will be.
If you’re worried about paying for care services, there are a few ways you can reduce the cost of private carers. We would never suggest cutting down on essential care visits as this could risk your elderly relative’s safety, but you could arrange for family and friends to support them some days each week. This could potentially reduce the number of visits you require from a home care agency and, in turn, the cost of in home care services.
Other factors that can impact home care costs include;
- The care agency you use – some agencies will charge more per visit
- Which days care is required – prices can vary at weekends and on bank holidays
- Where your elderly relative lives – the cost of care can change regionally
- The type of care required – certain care services can cost more than others
Although the cost of care services may be a concern at this moment in time, we strongly advise that you look at more than just the fees when choosing a home care agency. It’s important to ensure your loved one will receive the quality of care they deserve and often, it’s worthwhile paying slightly more for higher quality care and support.
Paying for in home care services
The majority of people have to contribute towards the cost of elderly care nowadays, however, you can arrange a financial assessment with your local authority to see if you are eligible for some financial support. In short, this assessment will consider the value of your elderly relative’s assets, including their income and savings.
If your loved one’s assets are over £23,250, they will currently have to self-fund their care. If their assets are below this figure, the local council will either partially or fully fund the cost of their home care services. From October 2025, this figure will be rising quite considerably and this will help to make home care more affordable for many elderly people.
Should your elderly relative be entitled to some financial support, you can request for this to be paid directly into their bank account. So, you will still have full control over their care services and you can choose the best home care agency to use.
Contact an expert about in home care services in Trafford
Hopefully, now you know a little bit more about the cost of in home care for elderly people, you won’t be quite as worried about being able to afford professional care services. If you have any unanswered questions about the cost of care or you’re looking for a company that provides in home care services in Trafford, contact our team at Beloved Homecare.
We know that it is a financially challenging time for people at the moment and we pride ourselves on providing outstanding care services at a reasonable price. We have several care options to choose from and we can help you to create a budget-friendly care plan for your loved one that still meets all of their care needs.