Every kind of care
Every kind of care in Dorset, with what it costs here
Each row is a level of help, with the price carers near Dorset charge and how much of it there is locally.
The kinds of care in Dorset
From the least help to the most. Each row links to its section below.
- Companionship visitsCompany, outings and errands£19 to £23 an hour6 nearby carers write about it
- Visiting carePersonal care and help at set times£19 to £23 an hour8 carers within about 45 minutes of Dorset
- Overnight careA sleeping or waking night£130 to £165 a night6 of the nearest carers do nights
- Live-in careA carer living in, day and night£1,050 to £1,225 a week45 live-in carers within reach
- Care homeA room, meals and care, away from home£1,390 a week78 homes without nursing in Dorset
- Nursing homeA care home with nurses on shiftabout £1,410 a week36 nursing homes in Dorset
Visit and live-in prices are what carers near Dorset charge on PrimeCarers, our fee included, October 2026. Night prices are the range on PrimeCarers. Care home counts are from CQC registrations in Dorset. Care home fees are the median of the homes here that publish them.
Help during the day
Help at home during the day in Dorset
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.
- 8 carers are based within about 45 minutes of Dorset, charging £19 to £23 an hour with our fee included, typically £20.
- 6 of the 8 with a rate on their profile drive, which matters for trips out and for visits outside the towns.
Rachel D.Sturminster Newton · 8 years caring“That range has taken me through live-in care, community care and care homes, each teaching me something different about adapting to what a person actually needs rather than following a fixed routine.”£23 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Maya O.Weymouth · 13 years caring“Whether I'm visiting for a few hours or staying through the night, the care I enjoy most is the quiet, steady kind — taking the time to understand what helps someone feel safe, comfortable, and respected.”£27.50 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Hakeem A.Weymouth · 1 years caring£19.20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
“Just wanted to say a big thank you for everything you’ve been doing lately. I really appreciate how you always bring a calm, steady energy — it makes a big difference, especially on the busier days. You’ve slotted into the routine really naturally, and I can see you genuinely care about getting things right. It doesn’t go unnoticed, and it means a lot.”
Companionship
Visits for company rather than personal care: a conversation, a walk, the shopping or a lift to a club.
- Of the 8 nearest carers with a full profile, 6 write about companionship, conversation or days out in their own profile.
- Hakeem A.Weymouth · 1 years caring“I also value the quieter side of the work, sitting down for a chat, sharing a meal, or simply being good company through the day or overnight.”£19.20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
- Maya O.Weymouth · 13 years caring“I also enjoy simply popping in for a cuppa and a chat. Sometimes having someone there to listen, share a conversation, or brighten up the day can make a real difference.”£27.50 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Diane L.Blandford Forum · 38 years caring“I bring cooking, cleaning and companionship into my visits too, because good care is about the whole person, not just the tasks.”£19 an hourProfile →
“He stayed with her throughout the pandemic, refusing to visit his own family, who lived nearby, to reduce the risk of infection. He always kept the family informed and kept meticulous notes. He had an excellent relationship with my sister and also with the local GP who allowed Jaison to be put directly through to him as his judgements were valued. The house was kept neat and tidy and he looked after the cat as well.”
Companionship care explainedCarers who share a hobby in Dorset
Personal care
Help with washing, dressing, the toilet and continence, from the same carer each time.
- Of the 8 nearest carers with a full profile, 7 describe personal care in their own words, not just on a checklist.
- Rachel D.Sturminster Newton · 8 years caring“I'm comfortable with the practical side of caring, moving and handling, catheter care, hoist use, medication reminders, bathing and dressing, and I bring the same steady manner whether I'm supporting someone with dementia, Parkinson's, arthritis, respiratory…”£23 an hour1 reviewProfile →
- Maya O.Weymouth · 13 years caring“My experience includes personal care, medication support, hoist care, catheter care, tracheostomy care, cooking and light household tasks.”£27.50 an hour1 reviewProfile →
- Hakeem A.Weymouth · 1 years caring“I help with personal care, medication reminders, moving and handling, hoist use and catheter care, alongside everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning and laundry.”£19.20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
“I cannot recommend Prisca highly enough, she is one in a million.”
Help with a condition
Care for a condition or a change in health in Dorset
Dementia care
Care from someone who has looked after people with dementia before and knows how to keep a day calm.
- Of the 8 nearest carers with a full profile, 8 write about caring for someone with dementia.
- Rachel D.Sturminster Newton · 8 years caring“I'm comfortable with the practical side of caring, moving and handling, catheter care, hoist use, medication reminders, bathing and dressing, and I bring the same steady manner whether I'm supporting someone with dementia, Parkinson's, arthritis, respiratory…”£23 an hour1 reviewProfile →
- Maya O.Weymouth · 13 years caring“I have experience supporting people living with dementia, the effects of stroke, Parkinson's disease, arthritis, mobility difficulties and end-of-life needs.”£27.50 an hour1 reviewProfile →
- Hakeem A.Weymouth · 1 years caring“Day to day, I support people with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, arthritis, epilepsy and a range of other conditions, including those who are bedbound or living with declining mobility.”£19.20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
“She did not leave my mum’s side for three weeks as she slowly deteriorated and passed away Absolutely outstanding,I really can’t speak highly enough about her I hope this is helpful Yours John damp”
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 8 nearest carers with a full profile, 7 write about Parkinson's, stroke, MS or motor neurone disease.
- Rachel D.Sturminster Newton · 8 years caring“I'm comfortable with the practical side of caring, moving and handling, catheter care, hoist use, medication reminders, bathing and dressing, and I bring the same steady manner whether I'm supporting someone with dementia, Parkinson's, arthritis, respiratory…”£23 an hour1 reviewProfile →
- Maya O.Weymouth · 13 years caring“I have experience supporting people living with dementia, the effects of stroke, Parkinson's disease, arthritis, mobility difficulties and end-of-life needs.”£27.50 an hour1 reviewProfile →
- Hakeem A.Weymouth · 1 years caring“Day to day, I support people with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, arthritis, epilepsy and a range of other conditions, including those who are bedbound or living with declining mobility.”£19.20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
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 8 nearest carers with a full profile, 4 write about helping someone home from hospital or through a recovery.
Bethany K.Sherborne · 1 years caring“Over the past year I've supported people with dementia, stroke recovery, respiratory illness, heart disease and conditions like osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.”£20 an hourProfile →
Emmanuel A.Poole · 5 years caring“I offer hourly and overnight care around Poole, and over five years I have worked across care homes, hospitals and clients' own homes, building experience with dementia, mental health support and live-in care.”£19 an hourProfile →
Yvette C.Blandford Forum · 8 years caring“One day I might be helping someone recover after an operation, the next sitting with a client who has dementia or supporting someone through the later stages of Parkinson's.”£24 an hourProfile →
“Nina looked after my aunt at very short notice on a weekend. Nina was patient, focussed on my aunt's physical well-being, and unfazed by what at the time was a new and uncertain situation for my aunt who was trying to settle in back at home after a nasty fall followed by a long hospital stay. She was of great help in a time of crisis.”
Palliative care at home
Support at home for someone who is very ill, alongside the district nurses and the GP.
- Of the 8 nearest carers with a full profile, 5 write about palliative care or caring for someone who is very ill.
- Maya O.Weymouth · 13 years caring“I have experience supporting people living with dementia, the effects of stroke, Parkinson's disease, arthritis, mobility difficulties and end-of-life needs.”£27.50 an hour1 reviewProfile →
- Diane L.Blandford Forum · 38 years caring“Over that time I've supported people through an enormous range of conditions, from dementia, stroke and Parkinson's to diabetes, motor neurone disease and end of life care.”£19 an hourProfile →
Nights and round the clock
Care at night and around the clock in Dorset
Overnight care
A carer spends the night in the house, either sleeping and on hand, or awake all night.
- Of the 8 nearest carers with a full profile, 6 offer overnight care.
- £130 to £145 for a sleeping night and £165 for a waking night on PrimeCarers.
Stewart N.Weymouth · 4 years caring“My days and nights are built around hourly visits and overnight stays across Weymouth, and it is the quieter, steadier moments I enjoy most, sitting with someone, learning what calms them, and making sure they feel safe when the house goes dark.”Does nightsProfile →- Maya O.Weymouth · 13 years caring“Whether I'm visiting for a few hours or staying through the night, the care I enjoy most is the quiet, steady kind — taking the time to understand what helps someone feel safe, comfortable, and respected.”Does nights1 reviewProfile →
- Hakeem A.Weymouth · 1 years caring“I offer hourly and overnight care in Weymouth, and although I am still early in my career, I have worked hard to build my skills through online learning and hands on experience across care homes, private homes and agency work.”Does nights1 reviewProfile →
Respite care
Cover so the person who does the caring can stop for a while, from a few visits to a fortnight.
- Of the 8 nearest carers with a full profile, 7 do nights or live-in care, which is how most respite is covered.
- Rachel D.Sturminster Newton · 8 years caring“I offer hourly and live-in care around Sturminster Newton, and over eight years I've built that calm approach through hands-on work rather than time spent on formal qualifications.”£23 an hour1 reviewProfile →
- Maya O.Weymouth · 13 years caring“Whether I'm visiting for a few hours or staying through the night, the care I enjoy most is the quiet, steady kind — taking the time to understand what helps someone feel safe, comfortable, and respected.”£27.50 an hour1 reviewProfile →
- Hakeem A.Weymouth · 1 years caring“I offer hourly and overnight care in Weymouth, and although I am still early in my career, I have worked hard to build my skills through online learning and hands on experience across care homes, private homes and agency work.”£19.20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Live-in care
One carer lives in the home and is there through the day and night, with a daily break.
- 45 live-in carers are based within about two hours of Dorset.
- A week here costs £1,050 to £1,225 with our fee included, typically £1,120.
- Of the 8 nearest carers with a full profile, 1 also do live-in care as well as visits.
Care homes
Care homes and nursing homes in Dorset
95 of the 102 with a Care Quality Commission rating are rated good or outstanding, 6 of them outstanding, and 7 are rated requires improvement or inadequate. The homes here that publish their fees charge a median of £1,390 a week for a residential place. A live-in carer here costs £1,050 to £1,225 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 Dorset 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 Dorset
77 home care agencies for older people in Dorset
8 private carers near Dorset
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 Dorset profiles the best-rated private carers nearby.
Paying for care
Help paying for care in Dorset
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 home care in Dorset sets out each route and who to contact.
Questions
Questions families in Dorset ask about the types of care
8 carers within about 45 minutes of Dorset offer care at home, from companionship visits to live-in care. Away from home, 114 care homes in Dorset take older people, 36 of them with nursing and 82 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 a median of £1,390 for a care home place in Dorset. 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 114 care homes in Dorset that take older people, 36 provide nursing. 82 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 home care in Dorset sets out each route.