Every kind of care
Every kind of care in Berkshire, with what it costs here
Each row is a level of help, with the price carers near Berkshire charge and how much of it there is locally.
The kinds of care in Berkshire
From the least help to the most. Each row links to its section below.
- Companionship visitsCompany, outings and errands£19 to £24 an hour30 nearby carers write about it
- Visiting carePersonal care and help at set times£19 to £24 an hour2,822 carers within about 45 minutes of Berkshire
- Overnight careA sleeping or waking night£130 to £160 a night37 of the nearest carers do nights
- Live-in careA carer living in, day and night£1,050 to £1,400 a weekCarers travel to the placement
- Care homeA room, meals and care, away from homeabout £1,160 a week83 homes without nursing across the 6 council areas of Berkshire
- Nursing homeA care home with nurses on shiftabout £1,410 a week64 nursing homes across the 6 council areas of Berkshire
Visit and live-in prices are what carers near Berkshire charge on PrimeCarers, our fee included, September 2026. Night prices are the range on PrimeCarers. Care home counts are from CQC registrations across the 6 council areas of Berkshire. Care home fees are UK averages, because too few homes here publish theirs.
Help during the day
Help at home during the day in Berkshire
Visiting care
A carer comes for an hour or more at the times you agree, such as a morning call to help someone up and washed.
- 2,822 carers are based within about 45 minutes of Berkshire, charging £19 to £24 an hour with our fee included, typically £20.
- 30 of the 54 with a rate on their profile drive, which matters for trips out and for visits outside the towns.
Gregory W.Slough · 19 years caring“In a supported living or residential care settings apart of supporting people with their daily routines was to make sure they attend their professional appointments, colleges, enjoy their time with families or friends.”£18.60 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Babra E.Reading · 8 years caring£18.50 an hourProfile →
Patricia N.Reading · 17 years caring“That bond stayed with me, and it is a good example of what I try to bring to every visit.”£25 an hourProfile →
“I want to express my gratitude for Natalia, she has been fantastic carer, kind, respectful, efficient, cheerful and above all caring…she always responded with great consideration for me and gave me the extra help when i needed with such patience and skill. Every time she had a cheerful greeting on arrival and treated me with respect and dignity. I highly recommend her as a carer.”
Companionship
Visits for company rather than personal care: a conversation, a walk, the shopping or a lift to a club.
- Of the 48 nearest carers with a full profile, 30 write about companionship, conversation or days out in their own profile.
Natalia C.Bracknell · 5 years caring“What I enjoy most, though, is the company side of the work: sitting down for a proper chat over a cooked meal, going out for a walk, playing cards or getting stuck into a puzzle together.”£24 an hour3 reviewsProfile →
Rosalia B.Wallingford · 5 years caring“I have always found that care works best when it starts with a proper conversation, and speaking English, French and Italian has let me offer that to a wider range of people over the past five years.”£24.50 an hour2 reviewsProfile →
Ayodeji F.Slough · 2 years caring“I like a good game of cards or a puzzle as much as a long walk, and I bring that same easy, unhurried company into my work as a carer in Slough.”£25 an hour1 reviewProfile →
“She has managed to form a good relationship with our 94 year old mum, who has dementia and is quite anxious, and is one of those rare warm people who will always go the extra mile. ) to reassuring, finding lost objects, managing sensitive moments, noticing and attending to household needs etc she's been great. Also a joy to chat with for family members, and an excellent communicator. Thoroughly recommend.”
Companionship care explainedCarers who share a hobby in Berkshire
Personal care
Help with washing, dressing, the toilet and continence, from the same carer each time.
- Of the 48 nearest carers with a full profile, 38 describe personal care in their own words, not just on a checklist.
Brandon J L.Basingstoke · 10 years caring“Day to day this might mean help with washing and dressing, medication reminders, catheter or wound care, or simply sitting down together for a chat and a game of cards.”£21.50 an hourProfile →
Albert A.Reading · 2 years caring“Much of my work involves the practical, hands on side of care, helping with bathing, dressing, hoist transfers and moving and handling for clients who are bedbound or have limited mobility, alongside cooking, laundry and the everyday admin that keeps a…”£18.80 an hourProfile →
Irma Iyabo A.Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead · 17 years caring“My experience covers dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, diabetes and mobility difficulties, among other conditions, and I help with everything from bathing and dressing to medication reminders and companionship.”£18.80 an hourProfile →
“Riffat was an exceptional carer for my mum over a 5 year period. Her knowledge, experience and caring attitude enabled mum to receive quality care in a safe and reassuring environment. Riffat is able to assess, identify and respond to changing needs and is person centered. This includes making curries and puddings how mum preferred and providing personal care. I couldn’t recommend Riffat enough.”
Help with a condition
Care for a condition or a change in health in Berkshire
Dementia care
Care from someone who has looked after people with dementia before and knows how to keep a day calm.
- Of the 48 nearest carers with a full profile, 39 write about caring for someone with dementia.
Juliet O.Slough · 13 years caring“I speak English, Igbo and Yoruba, and over the years I have supported people with a wide range of conditions, including dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, arthritis and heart disease, as well as those needing end of life care.”£19 an hourProfile →
Olawale A.Reading · 2 years caring“I'm based in Reading and offer hourly, live-in and overnight care, and over the past two years I've built real experience supporting people through dementia, Parkinson's, stroke recovery, arthritis, respiratory illness and a wide range of other conditions.”£18.80 an hourProfile →
Mofe A.Reading · 4 years caring“I've supported people with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, diabetes and respiratory illness, among other conditions, and I'm comfortable with hands-on tasks like bathing, moving and handling, catheter care and medication reminders.”£25 an hourProfile →
Care for Parkinson's, stroke and other conditions
Carers who have looked after someone with a particular condition, such as Parkinson's, a stroke or MS.
- Of the 48 nearest carers with a full profile, 38 write about Parkinson's, stroke, MS or motor neurone disease.
Samira H.Slough · 8 years caring“Day to day, I support people living with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, heart disease and respiratory conditions, as well as those recovering after surgery or managing declining mobility, including bedbound clients.”£19 an hourProfile →
Sterline K.Basingstoke · 19 years caring“I am based in Basingstoke and offer hourly and overnight visiting care, and over nineteen years I have supported people through dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, MS and many other conditions, as well as end of life care.”£21.30 an hourProfile →
Amy D.Maidenhead · 7 years caring“I've supported people living with dementia, Parkinson's, MS, stroke and a wide range of other conditions, alongside practical help with bathing, dressing, cooking and household tasks, so I'm comfortable adapting to whatever the day actually calls for rather…”£25 an hourProfile →
Care after a hospital stay
A few weeks of extra help at home while strength and confidence come back after a hospital stay.
- Of the 48 nearest carers with a full profile, 15 write about helping someone home from hospital or through a recovery.
Angela G.Slough · 25 years caring“Senior Care Consultant & Specialist Private Carer | 28 Years’ Experience I have over 28 years’ experience working in adult social care, including roles in reablement, commissioning, and occupational therapy.”£22 an hour4 reviewsProfile →
Mercy W.Reading · 15 years caring“I've supported people recovering from surgery or orthopaedic injuries, living with epilepsy or ME/CFS, and those needing end of life care, so I try to bring both a calm, experienced hand and genuine warmth to whatever the day brings.”£25 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Barbara B.Reading · 7 years caring“I am Barbara, based in Reading, and I have worked in home care for seven years, offering both hourly visits and live-in support across a wide range of conditions, from dementia and Parkinson's to post-operative recovery and end of life care.”£21.10 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Palliative care at home
Support at home for someone who is very ill, alongside the district nurses and the GP.
- Of the 48 nearest carers with a full profile, 15 write about palliative care or caring for someone who is very ill.
Elizabeth K.Reading · 15 years caring“My experience covers a wide range of conditions, including dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, epilepsy, respiratory illness and end of life care, as well as learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs such as anxiety and depression.”£19 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Riffat N.Slough · 5 years caring“I have supported people with a wide range of conditions, including dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, motor neurone disease and mobility difficulties, as well as those needing end of life care.”£20.20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Annmarie M.Bracknell · 19 years caring“I offer hourly and visiting care as well as overnight support, and over the years I have looked after people with a wide range of conditions, including dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis, as well as those needing end of life…”£25 an hourProfile →
“Even more importantly, however, Barbara treated my mother-in-law with enormous love and compassion and provided an environment where she could feel safe and seen, even though the mechanics of the personal care required frequently caused her distress. Barbara became one of the family and we are forever grateful to her for the time she spent with us all and the support she gave to us.”
Nights and round the clock
Care at night and around the clock in Berkshire
Overnight care
A carer spends the night in the house, either sleeping and on hand, or awake all night.
- Of the 48 nearest carers with a full profile, 37 offer overnight care.
- £130 to £145 for a sleeping night and £150 to £160 for a waking night on PrimeCarers.
Sharlene C.Maidenhead · 10 years caring“I am based in Maidenhead and offer hourly, live-in and overnight care, and over ten years I have supported people with a wide range of needs.”Does nightsProfile →
Rachel K.Reading · 10 years caring“Sometimes I am popping in for hourly visits around Reading, other times I move in for a live-in placement lasting six to eight weeks, or I cover overnight care when a family needs peace of mind through the night.”Does nightsProfile →
Christina J.Wokingham · 22 years caring“I'm based in Wokingham and have spent 22 years working as a carer, across hourly visits, live-in care and overnight support.”Does nightsProfile →
Respite care
Cover so the person who does the caring can stop for a while, from a few visits to a fortnight.
- Of the 48 nearest carers with a full profile, 38 do nights or live-in care, which is how most respite is covered.
Elizabeth H.Reading · 5 years caring“Based in Reading, I offer hourly and overnight visiting care, and I speak both English and Swahili, which sometimes helps put people at ease.”£22 an hourProfile →
Olutomi A.Reading · 15 years caring“My working week is rarely the same from one day to the next: a few hours of visiting care, an overnight stay, or moving in for a longer stretch of live-in support.”£25 an hourProfile →
Johanna E H.Reading · 20 years caring“That belief has carried me through twenty years of hourly, live-in and overnight care around Reading.”£20 an hourProfile →
Live-in care
One carer lives in the home and is there through the day and night, with a daily break.
- Live-in carers travel for a placement, so carers from across the region can come.
- A week here costs £1,050 to £1,400 with our fee included, typically £1,120.
- Of the 48 nearest carers with a full profile, 17 also do live-in care as well as visits.
Dieu-Donne S.Thatcham · 15 years caring“Care has always felt like the right place for me to put my energy, and after fifteen years of hourly, live-in and overnight work around Thatcham, it still does.”£145 a day1 reviewProfile →
Jacqueline F.Didcot · 30 years caring“Proven ability to deliver high-quality care in both private and live-in settings, offering flexibility and consistency to meet clients' evolving Personal Care & Hygiene Assistance Dementia & Parkinson’s Support Learning Disabilities Care Medication Assistance…”£150 a dayProfile →
Catherine M.Newbury · 17 years caring£150 a dayProfile →
Care homes
Care homes and nursing homes in Berkshire
100 of the 129 with a Care Quality Commission rating are rated good or outstanding, 12 of them outstanding, and 29 are rated requires improvement or inadequate. Few homes here publish their fees; across the UK a residential place costs about £1,160 a week and a nursing place about £1,410. A live-in carer here costs £1,050 to £1,400 a week, so for one person the two cost about the same, and for a couple live-in care costs far less.
Elderly care in Berkshire helps you weigh care at home against a care home, and care at home or a care home goes through what to ask a home before choosing it.
Agencies or private carers
Home care agencies and private carers in Berkshire
241 home care agencies for older people across the 6 council areas of Berkshire
2,822 private carers near Berkshire
Every carer on PrimeCarers has passed an enhanced DBS, identity and right-to-work check and an online interview before they appear (how we check carers). Agency or private carer compares the two, and the best home carers in Berkshire profiles the best-rated private carers nearby.
Paying for care
Help paying for care in Berkshire
Attendance Allowance is not means tested and can go towards any of these. The council assesses needs for free and contributes once savings fall below £23,250, and NHS Continuing Healthcare pays in full when needs are mainly health needs. Funding care sets out each route and who to contact.
Questions
Questions families in Berkshire ask about the types of care
2,822 carers within about 45 minutes of Berkshire offer care at home, from companionship visits to live-in care. Away from home, 147 care homes across the 6 council areas of Berkshire take older people, 64 of them with nursing and 97 registered to care for people with dementia.
For one person it is usually about the same: a live-in week here is typically £1,120 with our fee included, against about £1,160 for a care home place. For a couple, one live-in carer costs about £1,350 a week, far less than two care home places. Care at home or a care home goes through the decision.
A nursing home is a care home with registered nurses on shift, for people who need nursing as well as care, such as wound care or complex medication. Of the 147 care homes across the 6 council areas of Berkshire that take older people, 64 provide nursing. 97 are registered to care for people with dementia. The difference between a nursing home and a care home explains how to tell which is needed.
Often, yes. Attendance Allowance is not means tested and helps with the cost of care at any level. The council contributes once savings fall below £23,250, and the NHS pays in full when needs are mainly health needs. Funding care sets out each route.