Every kind of care
Every kind of care in East Lothian, with what it costs here
Each row is a level of help, with the price carers near East Lothian charge and how much of it there is locally.
The kinds of care in East Lothian
From the least help to the most. Each row links to its section below.
- Companionship visitsCompany, outings and errands£19 to £20 an hour13 nearby carers write about it
- Visiting carePersonal care and help at set times£19 to £20 an hour19 carers within about 45 minutes of East Lothian
- Overnight careA sleeping or waking night£130 to £160 a night12 of the nearest carers do nights
- Live-in careA carer living in, day and night£1,015 to £1,138 a week15 live-in carers within reach
- Care home or nursing homeMoving out of home into careabout £1,160 to £1,410 a weekFees vary by home
Visit and live-in prices are what carers near East Lothian charge on PrimeCarers, our fee included, October 2026. Night prices are the range on PrimeCarers. Care home fees are UK averages, because too few homes here publish theirs.
Help during the day
Help at home during the day in East Lothian
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.
- 19 carers are based within about 45 minutes of East Lothian, charging £19 to £20 an hour with our fee included, typically £19.
- 6 of the 19 with a rate on their profile drive, which matters for trips out and for visits outside the towns.
Katarzyna M.Edinburgh · 3 years caring“I'm Kasia, based in Edinburgh, and I provide hourly visiting care, working with clients living with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, arthritis and a range of other conditions, as well as those needing help after surgery or towards the end of life.”£30 an hour2 reviewsProfile →
Chloe P.West Lothian · 1 years caring“I take pride in providing person-centred care that promotes dignity, independence, and wellbeing.”£19.20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Olufemi D.Edinburgh · 1 years caring“Families often tell me how much they appreciate the way I make people feel truly at home, whether that is a young person settling into a new place or an older person finding their confidence again.”£18.80 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Companionship
Visits for company rather than personal care: a conversation, a walk, the shopping or a lift to a club.
- Of the 17 nearest carers with a full profile, 13 write about companionship, conversation or days out in their own profile.
Godwin E.Edinburgh“I am also happy to have a chat, prepare meals and participate in client activities”£18.50 an hourProfile →- Chloe P.West Lothian · 1 years caring“I believe that great care is not only about supporting physical needs but also about building meaningful relationships, offering companionship, and helping clients feel valued and respected.”£19.20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
- Olufemi D.Edinburgh · 1 years caring“I would be glad to meet you or your family for a chat about what support would help most.”£18.80 an hour1 reviewProfile →
“No task was too much for her and she even took my mother on the dance floor in her wheelchair so that she could join in the dancing. Katarzyna also ensured that my mother was reminded when to take her medication. My mother and I would highly recommend her for this type of role in the future. My mother wishes that Katarzyna lived close to our home in England.”
Companionship care explainedCarers who share a hobby in East Lothian
Personal care
Help with washing, dressing, the toilet and continence, from the same carer each time.
- Of the 17 nearest carers with a full profile, 13 describe personal care in their own words, not just on a checklist.
Paul O.“I am an experienced Healthcare Assistant/Support Worker of 4 years plus with experience in giving personal care and daily support to clients of different disability, and assisting them to live a life that is free from neglect, abuse and harm.”£20 an hourProfile →- Chloe P.West Lothian · 1 years caring“I take pride in providing person-centred care that promotes dignity, independence, and wellbeing.”£19.20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
- Olufemi D.Edinburgh · 1 years caring“I offer hourly and visiting care across Edinburgh, and in my time as a carer I have supported people living with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, heart disease, respiratory illness and a wide range of other conditions, alongside practical help with everything…”£18.80 an hour1 reviewProfile →
“My mother benefited from a level of assistance, support, care & love it would be difficult to find elsewhere & for which I am extremely grateful. I am happy to recommend Precious to any potential client & their family, with the highest level of confidence that they would receive the utmost care & attention.”
Help with a condition
Care for a condition or a change in health in East Lothian
Dementia care
Care from someone who has looked after people with dementia before and knows how to keep a day calm.
- Of the 17 nearest carers with a full profile, 13 write about caring for someone with dementia.
- Katarzyna M.Edinburgh · 3 years caring“I'm Kasia, based in Edinburgh, and I provide hourly visiting care, working with clients living with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, arthritis and a range of other conditions, as well as those needing help after surgery or towards the end of life.”£30 an hour2 reviewsProfile →
- Chloe P.West Lothian · 1 years caring“I have experience supporting individuals with a range of needs, including personal care, mobility support, dementia care, medication assistance, and emotional wellbeing.”£19.20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
- Olufemi D.Edinburgh · 1 years caring“I offer hourly and visiting care across Edinburgh, and in my time as a carer I have supported people living with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, heart disease, respiratory illness and a wide range of other conditions, alongside practical help with everything…”£18.80 an hour1 reviewProfile →
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 17 nearest carers with a full profile, 12 write about Parkinson's, stroke, MS or motor neurone disease.
- Olufemi D.Edinburgh · 1 years caring“I offer hourly and visiting care across Edinburgh, and in my time as a carer I have supported people living with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, heart disease, respiratory illness and a wide range of other conditions, alongside practical help with everything…”£18.80 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Amanda Jane M.East Lothian · 10 years caring“My experience covers a wide range of conditions, from dementia and stroke to Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and schizophrenia.”£18.80 an hourProfile →
Mahesh P.Livingston · 2 years caring“Alongside this I offer hourly, live-in and overnight care, and I am comfortable supporting people with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, physical disability and a wide range of other conditions, including personal care, medication reminders, mobility support and…”£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 17 nearest carers with a full profile, 3 write about helping someone home from hospital or through a recovery.
Grace B.Edinburgh · 3 years caring“Day to day, I offer hourly, live-in and overnight care, and I'm comfortable supporting people with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke recovery, heart disease and respiratory illness, as well as those who are bedbound or recovering from surgery or a fall.”£18.80 an hourProfile →
Itunuayo O.Edinburgh · 2 years caring“Day to day, I offer hourly visits and overnight care across Edinburgh, supporting people with conditions such as dementia, Parkinson's, stroke recovery and declining mobility, as well as those needing help after surgery or towards the end of life.”£18.50 an hourProfile →
Artur S.Edinburgh · 2 years caring“Over two years I've supported people with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke recovery and a good few other conditions, along with end of life and post-operative care, so I'm used to adapting to whatever the day calls for.”£19.20 an hourProfile →
Palliative care at home
Support at home for someone who is very ill, alongside the district nurses and the GP.
- Of the 17 nearest carers with a full profile, 8 write about palliative care or caring for someone who is very ill.
- Katarzyna M.Edinburgh · 3 years caring“I'm Kasia, based in Edinburgh, and I provide hourly visiting care, working with clients living with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, arthritis and a range of other conditions, as well as those needing help after surgery or towards the end of life.”£30 an hour2 reviewsProfile →
Neil B.Edinburgh · 7 years caring“I've supported people with dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, arthritis and a range of other conditions, including end of life care.”£20 an hourProfile →
Precious O.Bonnyrigg · 6 years caring“Over six years I've built solid experience with conditions including dementia, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, stroke, respiratory illness, diabetes and spinal injuries, alongside catheter and colostomy care, PEG feeding and end of life support.”£20 an hourProfile →
Nights and round the clock
Care at night and around the clock in East Lothian
Overnight care
A carer spends the night in the house, either sleeping and on hand, or awake all night.
- Of the 17 nearest carers with a full profile, 12 offer overnight care.
- £130 to £145 for a sleeping night and £150 to £160 for a waking night on PrimeCarers.
- Chloe P.West Lothian · 1 years caringDoes nights1 reviewProfile →
Lesley R.Dunfermline · 4 years caringDoes nightsProfile →
Jolly A.Galashiels · 1 years caring“I offer hourly and overnight care, and I have found that it is often these ordinary moments that matter most to the people I 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 17 nearest carers with a full profile, 13 do nights or live-in care, which is how most respite is covered.
- Chloe P.West Lothian · 1 years caring£19.20 an hour1 reviewProfile →
Christine M.Edinburgh · 23 years caring“I'm based in Edinburgh, offering both hourly visits and live-in care, and I speak English and Shona with the clients and families I support.”£25.30 an hourProfile →
Adaobi A.Edinburgh · 5 years caring“I'm based in Edinburgh, where I offer hourly visits, overnight care and live-in support, building my care around what each person actually needs.”£25 an hourProfile →
Live-in care
One carer lives in the home and is there through the day and night, with a daily break.
- 15 live-in carers are based within about two hours of East Lothian.
- A week here costs £1,015 to £1,138 with our fee included, typically £1,061.
- Of the 17 nearest carers with a full profile, 8 also do live-in care as well as visits.
- Christine M.Edinburgh · 23 years caring“I'm based in Edinburgh, offering both hourly visits and live-in care, and I speak English and Shona with the clients and families I support.”£219 a dayProfile →
- Adaobi A.Edinburgh · 5 years caring“I'm based in Edinburgh, where I offer hourly visits, overnight care and live-in support, building my care around what each person actually needs.”£180 a dayProfile →
Sylvia N.City of Edinburgh · 10 years caring“I offer hourly, live-in and overnight care across the City of Edinburgh, with ten years of experience behind me.”£148 a dayProfile →
Care homes
Care homes and nursing homes in East Lothian
Care homes in East Lothian are inspected by the Care Inspectorate, and each home publishes its inspection reports. Across the UK a residential place costs about £1,160 a week and a nursing place about £1,410, while a live-in carer here costs £1,015 to £1,138 a week.
Elderly care in East Lothian 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 East Lothian
Home care agencies
19 private carers near East Lothian
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 East Lothian profiles the best-rated private carers nearby.
Paying for care
Help paying for care in East Lothian
Attendance Allowance is not means tested and can go towards any of these. The council assesses needs for free and can contribute after a financial assessment, 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 East Lothian ask about the types of care
19 carers within about 45 minutes of East Lothian offer care at home, from companionship visits to live-in care. Away from home, care homes and nursing homes.
For one person it is usually about the same: a live-in week here is typically £1,061 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.
Often, yes. Attendance Allowance is not means tested and helps with the cost of care at any level. The council can contribute after an assessment, and the NHS pays in full when needs are mainly health needs. Funding care sets out each route.