Every kind of care
Every kind of care in Durham, with what it costs here
Each row is a level of help, with the price carers near Durham charge and how much of it there is locally.
The kinds of care in Durham
From the least help to the most. Each row links to its section below.
- Companionship visitsCompany, outings and errands£19 to £20 an hour31 nearby carers write about it
- Visiting carePersonal care and help at set times£19 to £20 an hour55 carers within about 45 minutes of Durham
- Overnight careA sleeping or waking night£130 to £160 a night39 of the nearest carers do nights
- Live-in careA carer living in, day and night£1,015 to £1,120 a week26 live-in carers within reach
- Care homeA room, meals and care, away from homeabout £1,160 a week54 homes without nursing in County Durham
- Nursing homeA care home with nurses on shiftabout £1,410 a week57 nursing homes in County Durham
Visit and live-in prices are what carers near Durham charge on PrimeCarers, our fee included, September 2026. Night prices are the range on PrimeCarers. Care home counts are from CQC registrations in County Durham. Care home fees are UK averages, because too few homes here publish theirs.
Help during the day
Help at home during the day in Durham
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.
- 55 carers are based within about 45 minutes of Durham, charging £19 to £20 an hour with our fee included, typically £19.
- 37 of the 55 with a rate on their profile drive, which matters for trips out and for visits outside the towns.
Revai U.Durham · 20 years caring“I have spent 20 years supporting people in their own homes around Durham, offering both hourly visits and overnight care, and in that time I have built up experience across an unusually wide range of conditions and needs.”£20 an hourProfile →
Godwin N.Hebburn · 6 years caring“I like to think a calm, steady manner is what people notice first about me, whether that is over a cup of tea during a visit or in the quieter hours of an overnight shift.”£20 an hourProfile →
Olugbenga A.Ripon · 2 years caring“I find real satisfaction in helping people stay comfortable and independent in their own homes, and that is what drew me into care work.”£19 an hourProfile →
Companionship
Visits for company rather than personal care: a conversation, a walk, the shopping or a lift to a club.
- Of the 45 nearest carers with a full profile, 31 write about companionship, conversation or days out in their own profile.
Amy S.Trimdon Station · 7 years caring“My week is a mix of hourly visits and overnight stays across Trimdon Station, and it's the company side of care I enjoy most.”£20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Rose K.Stockton-on-Tees · 22 years caring“My weeks are usually a mix of hourly visits and longer live-in placements, and it is the companionship side of the work I enjoy most, sitting down with a cup of tea, cooking a meal together, or just being there for a proper conversation.”£20 an hourProfile →
Amy Marie A.Durham · 23 years caring“I also take on the cooking, laundry and general household tasks so the home ticks over, and I am glad to sit with clients over cards, a jigsaw or some music, since companionship matters just as much as the physical care.”£18.80 an hourProfile →
“Amy even pushed me on the beach in a beach wheelchair. I managed to let small baloon off in memory of family and friends who are no longer with us. Amy also pushed me round in the normal wheelchair. I felt really comfortable in Amy's care and will look forward to arranging another visit soon with availability pending.”
Companionship care explainedCarers who share a hobby in Durham
Personal care
Help with washing, dressing, the toilet and continence, from the same carer each time.
- Of the 45 nearest carers with a full profile, 40 describe personal care in their own words, not just on a checklist.
Gregg R.Appleby-in-Westmorland · 18 years caring“I am comfortable with the practical side of care, from bathing, dressing and medication to mobility, hoist use and catheter care, but I never let the tasks crowd out the person.”£20 an hourProfile →
Letitia T.Ingleby Barwick · 19 years caring“I offer hourly visits, live-in care and overnight stays, and I'm comfortable with the full range of personal care, from bathing, dressing and hoist assistance to medication reminders, catheter care, cooking and companionship.”£20 an hourProfile →
Joseph O.Middlesbrough · 10 years caring“I find that having something a client enjoys, whether that's a hobby, a favourite programme or a shared interest, gives us a good subject to talk about, and I always try to build that into our time together, alongside the practical support with meals, personal…”£19 an hourProfile →
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in the night. We would not have been able to get Mum home out of hospital had it not been for such a professional and dedicated person. We thoroughly recommend Petty as a first-class carer.”
Help with a condition
Care for a condition or a change in health in Durham
Dementia care
Care from someone who has looked after people with dementia before and knows how to keep a day calm.
- Of the 45 nearest carers with a full profile, 40 write about caring for someone with dementia.
Alois T.Newcastle Upon Tyne · 8 years caring“I've spent eight years supporting people across Newcastle upon Tyne with hourly, live-in and overnight care, working with conditions such as dementia, stroke, Parkinson's and heart disease, among others.”£19 an hourProfile →
Onyekachi O.Thornaby-on-Tees · 5 years caring“I'm based in Thornaby-on-Tees and offer hourly, live-in and overnight care, with five years of experience supporting people with dementia, stroke, Parkinson's, physical disabilities and complex needs including tracheostomy and PEG feeding, as well as end of…”£19.20 an hourProfile →
Rafia R.Stockton-on-Tees · 5 years caring“I have supported people with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, diabetes, heart disease and arthritis, as well as those who are bedbound or finding mobility difficult.”£18.50 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 45 nearest carers with a full profile, 38 write about Parkinson's, stroke, MS or motor neurone disease.
Adam G.Gateshead · 22 years caring“In that time I have supported people with dementia, Parkinson's, motor neurone disease, stroke recovery, multiple sclerosis and a wide range of other conditions, alongside diabetes management, respiratory illness and end of life care.”£19.20 an hourProfile →
Christine M.Washington · 20 years caring“Three months into a live-in placement with a client who had Parkinson's, I learned just how much the small things matter, noticing changes day to day and adjusting how I helped with mobility, meals and routine so life still felt normal for them.”£23.50 an hourProfile →
Thenjiwe G.North Shields · 17 years caring“I am confident supporting people living with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, motor neurone disease, respiratory illness and diabetes, as well as those recovering after surgery or living with anxiety or depression.”£18.50 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 45 nearest carers with a full profile, 24 write about helping someone home from hospital or through a recovery.
David R.Wallsend · 15 years caring“I have worked closely with individuals living with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke recovery, diabetes, mobility impairments, and other complex health conditions, tailoring care plans to meet the unique requirements of each person.”£20 an hour2 reviewsProfile →
United D.Billingham · 27 years caring“I have supported people with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke recovery, arthritis and many other conditions over the years, and I have learnt that staying calm and speaking gently matters just as much in a difficult moment as any practical skill.”£20 an hour2 reviewsProfile →
Ble Bernard W.Stockton-On-Tees · 6 years caring“I've worked with people recovering from operations, living with epilepsy or respiratory illness, and those needing end of life care, and I try to bring calm, unhurried company alongside the hands-on help, whether that's a chat over a cup of tea or simply being…”£21.20 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 45 nearest carers with a full profile, 15 write about palliative care or caring for someone who is very ill.
Emma F.Bedale · 30 years caring“I offer hourly visiting care and overnight support, and over the years I've built up experience with a wide range of conditions, from dementia, Parkinson's and stroke recovery to arthritis, respiratory illness and end of life care.”£23 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Clemence K.Consett · 12 years caring“Over twelve years of care work, I have built up experience across a wide range of conditions, including dementia, stroke, Parkinson's, heart disease, respiratory illness, cancer and end of life care.”£18.50 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Vetakumisa K.Hartlepool · 5 years caring“I offer hourly visits, overnight stays and live-in care, and over the years I've supported people through dementia, Parkinson's, stroke recovery, respiratory illness, heart disease and end of life care, among many other conditions.”£18.60 an hour2 reviewsProfile →
Nights and round the clock
Care at night and around the clock in Durham
Overnight care
A carer spends the night in the house, either sleeping and on hand, or awake all night.
- Of the 45 nearest carers with a full profile, 39 offer overnight care.
- £130 to £145 for a sleeping night and £150 to £160 for a waking night on PrimeCarers.
Aurea Marcelina G.Gateshead · 12 years caring“I am based in Gateshead and offer hourly, live-in and overnight care, and I have found that the calm, unhurried approach I bring seems to help people relax, whether we have known each other a week or a year.”Does nightsProfile →
Christopher C.South Shields · 14 years caring“I have spent 14 years working across South Shields, offering hourly visits, live-in care and overnight stays, and in that time I have supported people with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke recovery, diabetes, respiratory illness and a wide range of other physical…”Does nightsProfile →
Rebecca M.Stockton-on-Tees · 20 years caring“I am based in Stockton-on-Tees and offer hourly visits, overnight support and live-in care, and I speak both English and Shona.”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 45 nearest carers with a full profile, 43 do nights or live-in care, which is how most respite is covered.
Claire L.Northallerton · 12 years caring“I'm based in Northallerton and offer hourly and overnight care, with over 12 years of experience behind me.”£30 an hourProfile →
Carly E.South Shields · 11 years caring£19 an hourProfile →
Diana T.Hartlepool · 6 years caring“I am based in Hartlepool and have spent six years since then working as a professional carer, offering hourly visits, overnight support and live-in care.”£19 an hourProfile →
Live-in care
One carer lives in the home and is there through the day and night, with a daily break.
- 26 live-in carers are based within about an hour of Durham.
- A week here costs £1,015 to £1,120 with our fee included, typically £1,096.
- Of the 45 nearest carers with a full profile, 26 also do live-in care as well as visits.
Petty Tutsirai C.Newton Aycliffe · 9 years caring£160 a day1 reviewProfile →
Maggie S.Middlesbrough · 15 years caring“I offer live-in care in Middlesbrough. I have worked in care for 15 years, supporting people with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, respiratory illness and cancer, among other conditions.”£145 a day2 reviewsProfile →
Margaret I.Newcastle upon Tyne · 2 years caring“I offer hourly, live-in and overnight care in Newcastle upon Tyne, and I speak English, Igbo and Yoruba, which has helped me connect with a range of families.”£172 a day1 reviewProfile →
Care homes
Care homes and nursing homes in Durham
98 of the 106 with a Care Quality Commission rating are rated good or outstanding, 5 of them outstanding, and 8 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 £1,015 to £1,120 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 Durham 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 Durham
50 home care agencies for older people in County Durham
55 private carers near Durham
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 Durham profiles the best-rated private carers nearby.
Paying for care
Help paying for care in Durham
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 Durham sets out each route and who to contact.
Questions
Questions families in Durham ask about the types of care
55 carers within about 45 minutes of Durham offer care at home, from companionship visits to live-in care. Away from home, 111 care homes in County Durham take older people, 57 of them with nursing and 93 registered to care for people with dementia.
For one person it is usually about the same: a live-in week here is typically £1,096 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 111 care homes in County Durham that take older people, 57 provide nursing. 93 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 Durham sets out each route.